Family medicine chest

KEEP ALL MEDICINES LOCKED AND OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

GPs recommend you keep the following items in your family medicine chest:

Paracetamol - the adult dose is 2x500mg tablets to be taken every 4-6 hours.  Do not exceed 8 tablets in a 24 hour period (you should seek urgent medical assistance if you do).

This is useful for fever and pain relief, eg for sore throats, headaches or sprains

Children's paracetamol liquid - follow dosage instruction on bottle – according to child’s age.  It is recommended always to have a supply available when there are young children in the family. It is important to use this when a child has a fever in order to reduce the temperature and it is also useful for pain relief for earache, sore throats or sprains.

It is quite safe to take paracetamol along with any prescription for antibiotic that you or your child may have been given.

Ibuprofen - is a useful addition to paracetamol for back pain or muscular or joint problems. It is safe to take both together if paracetamol alone is not sufficient. Please avoid ibuprofen if you are asthmatic or have stomach problems.

Antihistamine - for allergic reactions, use a medication such as Piriton. It is helpful for itchy allergic skin reactions or insect bites. It is also available in adult and children’s formulations. The dosage instructions will be on the bottle. Please note that this medication can make you drowsy.

Anti-septic disinfectant - for washing cuts and scrapes.