Medicine Cabinet and Over-the-Counter Medicines

Below is a list of useful medicines and dressings which are available without NHS prescription. All are quite inexpensive and worth stocking at home.

Keep all medicines locked-up and out of the reach of children.

Paracetamol / Aspirin: For adults or children over 18. Good for headaches, colds, sore throats and painful bruises.

Paracetamol or ibuprufen syrup: For relief of pain or fever in young children

Diarolyte powder and imodium tablets - for diorrhoea / gastro-enteritis

Gaviscon and rennies - for acid/indigestion and heartburn

Sedative Cough Linctus: For dry or painful coughs - but not coughs caused by common colds.

Menthol Crystals: Add to hot water to make steam inhalations for treating catarrh and dry or painful coughs.

Vapour Rub: Again, for steam inhalations. Also useful for children with stuffy noses or dry coughs. Rub on the chest and nose

Antiseptic Solution: One teaspoon diluted in warm water for cleaning cuts and grazes.

Antiseptic Cream: For treating septic spots, sores in the nose and grazes.

Calamine Lotion: For dabbing (not rubbing) on insect bites and stings and sunburn.

Dressing Strips: For minor cuts.

3" Wide Crepe Bandage: To keep dressings in place. To support sprained or bruised joints.

Gauze Squares: For cleaning cuts and grazes.

Thermometer: For fevers