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What is in your medicine cabinet?

Little bumps and bruises can happen. Little aches and viruses happen too. If they do, it is handy to have some supplies to take care of you.

Check out this list for items that might be useful to have in the house.

image of medicine cabinet with medicine

  • Antacid for upset stomach
  • Antihistamine for allergy or itch
  • Antifungal cream or powder
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Band-aids, gauze, tape
  • Bug spray to avoid bites
  • Constipation medicine, laxative
  • Cotton swabs or balls
  • Cough drops and cold medicine
  • Eyeglass repair kit

  • Flashlight
  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Hot/ cold pack
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Magnifying glass
  • Pain or fever medicine
  • Sunblock
  • Thermometer, scissors
  • Tweezers, needle, matches

Drugs and safety

Medicines are used to help people get and stay well. It is very important to take medicine correctly.

  • Follow the directions on the label.
  • Know why you take a medicine.
  • Know how it should help you.
  • Know what side effects to look for.
  • Know what to do if you miss a dose.
  • Ask your doctor or pharmacy if you have questions.
  • Check with your doctor before stopping a medicine.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines. Show it to each of your doctors and the pharmacy.
  • Keep medicine away from children and pets.
  • Don't share prescription medicines.
  • Learn how to get rid of medicine you don't need. Ask your pharmacy.
Use Medicines Safely

Video

Use Medicines Wisely from U.S. FDA

  • Arrange your medicine so you take them correctly.
  • Check what time of day for each pill.
  • Check if you take before or after eating.
  • Check if you need to avoid any foods with the pill.
  • Ask the pharmacy if you can crush or dissolve pills.
  • Put medicine in a place that helps you remember.
  • Use a pill box, alarms and apps to help you remember.
  • You can ask someone to help you remember too.

Pill swallowing

Some people have more trouble swallowing pills than others.

Some pills can't be crushed or can't be put in liquid or food.

extra help

Extra Help: Swallow Pills

If you are allowed to swallow a pill and want to learn how, try this exercise.

Sick Days

On an unusual day, we might feel sick or have a new pain.

You might have a fever, a headache, a runny nose, a cough, a bellyache or watery poop.

You may want to check your temperature.

It is a good idea to talk to a trusted person when you don't feel right. Tell them what you are feeling.

Rate your pain.

five color faces feedback/mood scale

Work together to decide if it is serious or simple. If you think it is serious, you need to call a doctor. If it is a simple illness, you can rest for a bit, or take a medicine you have to see if it helps.

  • Some medicines are prescribed to take when you feel sick. Examples are pain medicine for headaches, stomach medicine for stomach aches and asthma medicine for asthma attacks.
  • The prescription will say "as needed for...". "As needed" medicine have rules about how often you can take them. If you need "as needed" medicine often, you should tell your doctor.
  • When you feel sick, it is important to stay hydrated. If you don't want to eat, you still need to sip on a drink all through the day. You need to pay attention to how often you pee in the day. If you pee less than 2 times a day, call your doctor.
  • If you think you may have an infection like a virus, try not to spread your germs with others. Wash your hands often. Throw tissues away in the trash. Keep away from others if you can. Wear a mask if you will be around others.
  • Check back with a trusted person if you still feel sick after resting or taking a medicine to help. Work together to decide what to do next.