Home medicine cabinet essentials

northernviper392 said:and that would be...?

Gastritis and all that other crap—it can help people dealing with ulcers, too.

I work in pharmacy, yet my own medicine cabinet is practically empty. I guess I just have an aversion to meds. Regardless, you really should have some basics for pain and fever on hand: either aspirin or acetaminophen (like Tylenol or Advil). For people with sensitive stomachs, I’d suggest the latter. If you need something stronger—for things like rheumatic pain, cramps, or those aches that inevitably catch up to you—look into the "-profens." Ibuprofen is standard, as is ketoprofen (you can find brands like Knavon over the counter, whereas others might require a prescription). Flurbiprofen is also effective, though availability varies. Diclofenac sodium (Voltaren) is another solid option. Just a heads-up: don't take these heavy-duty analgesics long-term without a doctor's supervision; they can mess with your heart (ibuprofen) or your stomach (diclofenac). Also, suppositories are often better than pills because they bypass the liver and hit the bloodstream faster via intestinal absorption.
Beyond that, keep some bandages, disinfectant (70% isopropyl alcohol or 3% hydrogen peroxide), some gauze rolls, and sterile pads handy.
And, obviously, whatever maintenance meds you need for chronic conditions. Or not.
The few medications I actually keep at home stay in the fridge.
Hope this helps.

@ Home Medicine Cabinet

First things first: keep all medications out of reach of small children. It might even be worth using a lockbox. You also need to avoid damp areas, so skip the bathroom entirely. Temperature control matters too.

If you manage a lot of different meds, I highly recommend a weekly pill organizer. Just fill it once a week. If you’re dealing with a chronic condition, always stay ahead of your refills so you don't run out.

If you’re heading out for the afternoon or have a busy schedule, keep a small supply in your bag. If you struggle with allergies, headaches, or general aches, always have something ready. Again, watch the temperature.

As Casey Palmer5 suggested, make sure you're fully equipped if you're traveling or heading outdoors. Pack a solid first aid kit and take a first aid course. This is especially vital when living in massive places like the US or Australia, where everything is spread out and you might be 100-311 miles miles from anyone.

***A serious warning: whenever I travel outside of Australia, I carry documentation for all my medications, regardless of whether they are prescription or over-the-counter. If you end up in a jail in Asia over some "social" pills, you could face one or two years behind bars. In some places, carrying 4 kg of marijuana can land you 20 to 30 years in prison—or worse.

Personally, I keep printed lists of my medical conditions and prescriptions, along with my wife's. We keep copies in her purse and in the car just in case.

I probably shouldn't have to say this, but since I'm on about 15 different prescriptions and my wife is on about 7—plus the various stuff we buy privately without a script—it's better to be safe.

Every two weeks, I go through our list to see what we need to pick up from the pharmacy and check when our next doctor's appointment or refill is due.

I’m honestly relieved to be done with those dangerous habits—things like narcotics I haven't touched in ages, or all those analgesics, antidepressants, and anti-seizure meds that clinics used to pump me full of for pain management.

Those days are long gone. Now, I still have a built-in cabinet about 1m x 0.6m x 0.6m to hold everything else.

I hope some of this helps. My advice? Always keep a log of what you’ve taken over the years, how it affected you, or any allergic reactions you had. And please, never give your specific medication to someone else just because you think it might help them. Many drugs are prescribed for various issues—like how antidepressants or anti-seizure meds are sometimes used for chronic pain—and taking someone else's specialized medicine can completely change your mental state and leave you feeling out of control.

😉 🙂 😎

Voltaren rapid
-Tylenol
-eye cream
-injury cream
-contraceptive pill supply
-bandages
-sterile compresses
-Bivacyn spray (for when the kids inevitably scrape their knees🙂)
-Normabel 2 mg
-probiotics
-Neofen
-Augmentin
-B complex
-effervescent calcium
-Rinolan
-rubbing alcohol

Voltaren, some throat lozenges, maybe some Tylenol, aspirin, or Advil, plus some Dermazin cream.
For burns, hydrocortisone ointment, eye drops, bandages, Maxflu... I think that covers it. 🙂

I've got one single Voltaren tablet sitting here at home. And that's it. Nothing else left.

goldilock said:I work in pharmacy—well, almost—and I barely have a medicine cabinet at home. Guess I just have an aversion to meds. Either way, you really should have something for pain and fever: either aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol). For people with sensitive stomachs, I’d go with the latter. Then, if you need something stronger for things like rheumatic or menstrual pains that tend to catch you off guard, I’d suggest various "-profens": ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or even flurbiprofen—though you might have trouble finding that specific brand in the States. Diclofenac (Voltaren) is also good. Just don't take these stronger analgesics for long periods without a doctor's supervision because they can mess with your heart (ibuprofen) or stomach (diclofenac). Also, suppositories are better than pills—they don't tax the liver as much and they hit the bloodstream faster via the intestinal wall.
Beyond that, you should have some bandages, disinfectant (70% alcohol, 3% hydrogen peroxide), some gauze, and sterile compresses.
And, obviously, whatever meds you need for chronic conditions. Or not.
The few meds I actually keep at home stay in the fridge.
Hope this helps.

Ibuprofen, Voltaren, and Ketoprofen aren't just analgesics—they're NSAIDs... since you claim to be a pro and all. 😬

How does ibuprofen affect the heart?

That part about liver toxicity doesn't make sense. You're wrong there. 🙄 No matter how you take a drug, it's going to end up in the liver eventually. Even if it's processed through the liver during excretion. 😵 Sure, some get cleared through the kidneys, but we're talking about "liver toxicity" here.

Hello, suppositories! 😵 Are you serious? Rectal absorption is actually weaker than oral administration. And you're supposed to be an expert. 👎

Yeah, and it doesn't matter if an NSAID is given via suppository or orally when it comes to the stomach lining. NSAIDs block prostaglandin synthesis, which is what protects the stomach mucosa.

Melissa Cruz2 said:amoxicillin and maybe some other antibiotics (probably just leftovers from previous infections 😬 )

Just toss it. Seriously. I guess you wouldn't want to accidentally end up taking something without a doctor's okay.