Minor illnesses and injuries such as cold, cough, fever, minor cuts and burns are common in every household and are even more common when children are present. So, it’s better to keep certain over the counter medications in home so that these can be used as first aid in necessary conditions.
Here, is the list of some general medications that everyone must keep in their home.
Instructions :
a) Before using these medications, make sure that it has not expired.
b) Clean your closet containing medications and check their expiry dates at least for every 3 months.
c) Use these medications as per the instructions mentioned on it.
d) Don’t take two doses of same medication at a time.
e) Store these medications away from the children.
1. Analgesic Medicine : Ex :- Paracetamol
Paracetamol is used for fever and also as a pain killer. It is available in tablet and syrup form. If you have young children, paracetamol is the most important medicine to keep in home . Paracetamol is safe at normal doses but harmful if you take too much (overdose). Some of the brand names of paracetamol are Paracip650 , Dolo650 , Germol500.
2. Antihistamine Tablets: Ex :- Benadryl
Allergies can occur due to change in weather and place. You must keep antihistamine tablets in your home for stings, bites or allergies. Antihistamines stop allergy symptoms by blocking or reducing histamines. It provides relief from food and seasonal allergies. The common symptoms of allergy are sneezing, runny nose, hay fever, watery eyes and throat itching.
3. Cold and flu tablets:
You can get cold and flu anytime. The common cold and flu symptoms are headaches, sore throat, body ache, and nasal congestion. Crocin Cold , cheston cold and okacet cold are common tablets for treating cold and flu. These tablets contain decongestants, cough suppressants, and pain relievers that provide relief from the symptoms.
4. Cough Medicine:
A dry or wet cough can be annoying. There are various types of cough syrups available in medical shops. A cough suppressant blocks the cough reflex and provides relief from constant coughing. If you are suffering from a dry cough, you should opt for a cough suppressant (Alkof-DX syrup). Expectorants (Ascoril expectorant syrup) are used for treating wet cough. They are known for loosening the mucus so that it gets expelled from the body.
5. Throat lozenges :
Throat lozenges increase the production of saliva so that it reduces dryness of the throat and temporarily stops coughs. Medicated throat lozenges contain antibacterial agents, painkillers, anti tissues, menthol, pectin, and eucalyptus that provide relief from a cough and sore throat. There are various types of throat lozenges available in the market, such as Halls, Strepsils and Honitus.
6. Motion sickness tablet :
Motion sickness tablets are one of the must-have items in medical kit. Motion sickness is a health condition that many people suffer when they are travelling by bus, car, flight or train. It makes a person feel uneasy and dizzy, which is followed by vomiting. Therefore, when you are travelling, you must keep motion sickness tablets with you, i.e:, DRAMAMINE
7. Antacid:
You must carry antacid tablets or antacid syrup in your medical kit. It can neutralize the acidity of your stomach and give you relief from indigestion. Acidity can cause heartburn and stomach upset. To get relief from heartburn and an upset stomach, you should keep antacid in your home. Some common antacids are Milk of Magnesia, Gelusil, Maalox, and Rolaids.
8.Antiseptic Solution and Ointment –First Aid Essentials
If you get any injuries, you need an antiseptic solution and ointment. You need to first clean the wound with an antiseptic solution. It will disinfect the skin and prevent it from infections. After cleaning it with an antiseptic solution, you need to apply an antiseptic ointment over the wound. The ointment helps in treating wounds and cuts. Antiseptic solution and ointment can effectively treat cuts, insect bites, stings, and abrasions. Antiseptic solution like betadine and ointment like povidine iodine can be used.
9. Band-Aid’s:
You must carry a couple of band-aids in your medical kit. Band-aid is an adhesive bandage which is used for treating minor wounds and injuries. It prevents dirt and germs from entering the wound, thereby promoting faster healing. If you get a minor cut or blister, you can apply a band-aid to prevent infection
10. Wound dressing items :
Although band-aid is suitable for minor wounds, it won’t be useful if there is a major injury. You cannot predict the events . There is no guarantee that you will get first aid immediately if you are wounded. Therefore, you must have a wound dressing items in your medical kit. Crepe bandage, medical adhesive tape, hydrogel or foam dressing and gauze swabs are important items for dressing a major wound.
11. Mild Laxative : Ex :- Dulcolax
Constipation is a common health condition that affects people. Difficult and painful bowel movements characterise constipation. Laxatives can treat constipation by softening the stools. So, you must keep a mild laxative in your home.
12. Antifungal or Antimicrobial Cream: Ex :- Miconazole
It is important to carry an antifungal or antimicrobial cream with you .They contain ingredients that are effective in treating bacterial or fungal skin infections such as Ring worm infection, etc.
13. Multi-Vitamin Tablet : Ex :-Zinkowit
A good multi-vitamin tablet can give you the much-needed energy. As your diet can suffer due to the hectic travel schedule, a multi-vitamin tablet can keep you energetic. You can have one tablet every day after taking your breakfast.
14. A Pain Relief Balm: Ex: -Volini gel
It’s common to sprain for ankle or back at any time. A pain relief balm helps in relieving the pain caused because of sprain.
These are the must-have general medications and medical items in your home. Keeping a digital thermometer will also help during feverish conditions by predicting the temperature of your body. You can use the relevant dose of medication for treating your fever.
12 October 2025
11 October 2025
12 October 2025
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