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Give your medicine cabinet an annual checkup
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You're good about getting your teeth cleaned regularly and making
appointments for the yearly physical.
Don't forget the medicine cabinet needs an annual checkup, too.
"Once a year is a good idea to get rid of anything that is
old or needs to be replaced," says Theresa Christiansen, pharmacy
manager at Woodwinds Retail Pharmacy in Woodbury, Minn.
We asked four medical experts for their suggestions on what items
to stock, where to store them and when to pitch them.
The medicine cabinet is the worst place to store medications. The
heat and humidity of the bathroom can increase the rate the medications
degrade, says Dr. Thomas Lacker, a professor in the College of Pharmacy
at the University of Minnesota.
Rather, seek out a cool, dry place, such as a kitchen cabinet, out
of the reach of children.
When medications expire, it's time to toss them. Flush them down
the toilet.
As with all over-the-counter medications, read the labels and check
with your pharmacist when you're picking items for infants, children
or pregnant women. Also be aware of possible interactions with other
medications. Here are some other suggestions for a well-stocked
medicine cabinet:
Pain/fever: Acetaminophen - like Tylenol - for
mild pain and fever. If you have liver disease, talk to your doctor
before using it, as too much can be toxic. Older people may keep
nonenteric coated aspirin on hand, in case of a heart attack. Children
and teens should not use aspirin, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
Pain relief, part II: Stock generic ibuprofen -
like Advil - for inflammation and pain due to acute joint injuries.
One caution: Do not take ibuprofen with certain medicines, including
Plavix (a drug that prevents strokes and heart attacks).
Diarrhea: It usually goes away on its own, unless
there's an underlying medical condition. In clinical studies, Kaopectate
has not been shown to be effective in decreasing diarrhea. Try Fiberall,
Fibercon, Konsyl Fiber or Citrucel.
Constipation: Citrucel and Unifiber work here.
But people should boost their intake of water or fruit juices, exercise
and add fiber to the diet. (Coffee does not count toward the water
consumption goal.)
One caution: Don't use bulk laxatives if you're mostly in bed or
if you don't drink much liquid. If these medications don't work,
try senna tablets or bisacodyl tablets.
Sore throat: Try gargling with lukewarm water with
salt (1-3 teaspoons table salt per glass) 2-4 times daily or as
needed. Or you could stock an oral painkiller like acetaminophen
or anesthetic lozenges like Spec-T, Cepacol or Sucrets. Or you could
have throat spray such as Cheracol or children's Vicks Chloraseptic.
Cough: Oral decongestant or cough suppressant such
as dextromethorphan. Or a timed-release cough syrup like Delsym.
Stuffy nose: Sodium chloride/saline nasal spray
(such as Ocean spray), zinc gluconate solution (like Nasal Ease
with zinc) or an oral decongestant with pseudoephedrine (like Drixoral,
Sudafed or Dimetapp). Limit use to 3-5 days.
Heartburn, belching: Antacids containing aluminum
and magnesium, such as Maalox Plus or Mylanta; or alginic acid,
such as Gaviscon. Antacids with low sodium or low potassium are
also available. If antacid alone doesn't work, try Zantac or Pepcid.
If those don't work, try Prilosec OTC.
Minor burns and sunburn: Topical anesthetic like
benzocaine. Do not use products with camphor, menthol or ichthammol
on the burned area.
Stuffy or runny nose or sneezing: Try an oral antihistamine
or saline nasal spray.
Sleep aids: Older people should not use Benadryl,
which can cause mental confusion, constipation or dry eyes. Younger
people can probably use Benadryl, but know that it can cause urinary
retention, which may lead to urinary tract infections.
First-aid kit: Bandages of assorted sizes; gauze;
antiseptic wipes; sharp scissors with rounded tips; medical tape;
tweezers; disposable, instant-activating cold packs.
Poisoning: You can have syrup of ipecac on hand,
but call the Poison Center before using it.
Multivitamins: Adults 65 or older benefit from
multivitamins, but know that the dietary supplement industry is
loosely regulated. Look for name brands and companies you trust.
Wound care: Antibacterial ointments like neosporin
or a general triple antibiotic ointment.
Thermometer: Basic digital thermometers are under
$5. The kind you stick in your ear run between $50 and $70.
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