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Whether you're going on holiday, heading out for a road trip, or even just going to work, it's always handy to have a few basic medications in your bag
They can be useful when you're dealing with familiar, minor symptoms such as a headache, allergies, motion sickness, or indigestion, and can save you a trip to the pharmacy when you're already feeling miserable.
Here are six common medications that are useful to keep around:
1. Paracetamol
Used for: Fever, headaches, mild body aches, and other minor aches and pains.
Paracetamol is probably one of the most useful medications to have on hand. It can help relieve mild pain and reduce fever, making it handy for things like headaches, body aches, and the pain associated with a mild sore throat.
Just be careful not to take more than the recommended dose, and see a doctor if your symptoms don't go away. Paracetamol can relieve symptoms, but it doesn't treat the underlying cause.
2. Painkillers
Examples: Ibuprofen, naproxen
Used for: Muscle aches, period pain, headaches, and other pain involving inflammation.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can be useful for pain caused by inflammation, including muscle aches and period cramps.
However, they're not suitable for everyone. They can irritate the stomach and, particularly with regular or high-dose use, increase the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding.
If you're taking these medications, it's generally best to take them with or after food.
3. Antihistamines
Examples: Cetirizine, loratadine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine
Used for: Allergies, sneezing, runny nose, itching, and insect bites.
If you're someone who starts sneezing the moment you encounter dust or pollen, it would be good to always carry an antihistamine around.
Antihistamines can also help relieve itching from allergic reactions and insect bites.
Some older, first-generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine can make you drowsy, while newer options such as loratadine and cetirizine are generally less sedating.
If a medication makes you drowsy, avoid driving after taking it.
4. Motion sickness medication
Example: Dimenhydrinate
Used for: Motion sickness, car sickness, and seasickness.
If you tend to feel nauseous during long car rides, boat trips, or flights, having motion sickness medication on hand can make your journey a lot more comfortable.
Dimenhydrinate can help prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and other symptoms associated with motion sickness.
However, it can also cause drowsiness, so don't be surprised if you feel like taking a nap.
5. Anti-diarrhoeal medication
Example: Loperamide
Used for: Short-term relief of uncomplicated diarrhoea.
Sometimes, you really do just want your gut to give you a break.
While diarrhoea is often your body's response to something irritating, repeated episodes can also cause dehydration. Drinking plenty of fluids and replacing lost electrolytes should be the priority.
However, loperamide can provide short-term relief from uncomplicated diarrhoea, which can be particularly useful when you're travelling.
6. Acid reflux medication
Examples: Gaviscon, omeprazole
Used for: Occasional heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion.
Whether you've eaten a particularly heavy meal or simply experience occasional heartburn, medication can provide short-term relief from symptoms.
Antacid products such as Gaviscon can help relieve heartburn and reflux, while medications such as omeprazole work differently by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
With that said, while these medications can be useful for managing minor and familiar symptoms, they aren't a substitute for medical care
Seek medical attention if your symptoms are severe, unusual, persistent, or getting worse.
Also, while these medications are generally available without a prescription, they may not be suitable for everyone. If you have an existing medical condition, take other medications, are pregnant, or aren't sure whether a medication is suitable for you, check with a doctor or pharmacist first.
The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant, or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader's own medical care.
