Top 10 most common OTC drugs
Most of the medications below can be bought over-the-counter from pharmacists and larger supermarkets. It is a good idea to keep these at home, and keep them all together.
In this article we will describe what are the top 10 most common OTC drugs.
Here goes.
Painkiller and reduces fever
1. Paracetamol
Anti-inflammatory drugs – called NSAIDs
2. Aspirin (or ibuprofen)
Antihistamines
3. Cetirizine
(or chlorpheniramine, fexofenadine)
Antacid
4. Gaviscon
(Combination antacid; or sodium bicarbonate, magnesium trisilicate, aluminium, magnesium hydroxide)
Steroid cream
5. 1% Hydrocortisone cream
Antibiotic cream
6. Bacitracin ointment
Mouth ulcer gel
7. Bonjela
8. Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
You may not consider this a medicine. But preventing sunburn is important. So it is best to have some in the house.
Antifungal creams (for thrush (candida) and other fungal rashes)
9. Clotrimazole
(or ketoconazole, miconazole, terbinafine)
Anti-diarrhoeal and anti-constipation medication
10. Loperamide and senna
Note. If you have diarrhoea or constipation for more than three weeks, consult your doctor.
10 other things worth keeping at home
- Savlon (or germolene; antiseptic creams)
- Salicylic acid (verruca and wart treatment)
- Omeprazole (or cimetidine; heartburn/ulcer)
- 0.5% Chloramphenicol eye drops (antibiotic; and lubricating eye drops)
- Calamine lotion (cooling; useful after bites and stings)
- Haemorrhoid (piles) ointment
- Bandages and plasters (range of sizes)
- Eye drops (lubricating) – sore eyes, contact lens irritation
- Pair of tweezers – may be handy for extracting splinters.
- Calibrated medical spoon and dropper (useful for measuring out liquid drugs for babies and young children).
Summary
We have listed the top 10 most common OTC drugs. It is a good idea to keep them at home – as well as the other drugs listed above. We hope you have found it helpful.
