Maybe you read last week’s entry about my organized medicine cabinet (it was fascinating, no?) but while I was writing it, I thought people might want to know what over the counter medicines I keep on hand. I mean, I tend to keep basic supplies for each area. So, today we’ll focus on the ol’ airway. There are 4 types of Respiratory drugs that I keep on hand: 1. Cough 2. Cold 3. Allergies
**Over the counter (OTC) medicine is stuff you can just buy at the drugstore, without a prescription.
Other posts you might find helpful:
I also have a whole podcast on medication families should have on hand:
Respiratory Illness Medicines
Please remember at this time, the most important things are to wash your hands, not touch your face and STAY HOME if you are SICK. Please consider asking a friend to get you these medicines if you can’t order online vs going to the store.
1. Medicines for Coughs
- I have a bottle of Robitussin DM (or the generic, most often the generic).
- Delsym (it gives me the runs, but it seems to work really well for my kids)
- Prescription cough medicine. Sometimes it’s the only thing that will do the trick. Usually phenergan with Codiene, but I have sometimes had MD’s write for robitussin with codeine. Does anyone in this world hate the taste of Robitussin as much as me. YUCK!
- Vapor Rub (generic of Vix) — I am a HUGE fan of the old wives tale that putting Vicks on your feet stops coughs. I have no idea how, I can just say it’s true and probably works better then the prescription one above!
- Mucinex might be included in both the cough old cold section. I tend to keep the generic on hand. There is something about the name brand 24-hour Mucinex that puts me into a coma. I have no idea what it is, but the 4-hour stuff doesn’t.
- Cough drops — I hate having a prolonged cough at work. It’s awkward, so I like to take a handful when I’m working and a cough might be in my future.
BTW I have a post on my sister site for medicine you can take for a cough when pregnant.
2. Medicine for Nasal Congestion/Colds
- Sudafed (sometimes I keep Tylenol WITH Sudafed on hand if we’ve had colds going around) BTW I have a whole post explaining Sudafed during pregnancy.
- Cough/Cold/Flu reliefs. This isn’t consistant. I tend to buy a bunch when we have it and then it wanes. I tend to get a variety, because who knows what works with each virus. There are a lot of things that try to bring out mucous so it doesn’t take up retirement in your body. Guaifenesin, dextromethorphan and Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) are all good when you have a cold, but the #1 is fluids and rest. So much for the medicine cabinet!
- Wishgarden Sinus Relief
- We each have our own bottles of nasal allergy spray that are kept who knows where. Mine’s on my dresser {keepin’ it real}
- Nasal Rinse can be awesome when you’re super congested (it sounds horrible, but it feels good when you do it at the right time).
- Zicam — I really do think if you start taking this in the very early stages of a cold it really helps.
4. Allergies
- I always keep some Benedryl on hand, I would recommend this to everyone.
- Zyrtec (our allergy relief of choice — I get ours at Costco)
- Hydrocortisone (also floats around the entire linen closet, since it’s only 88 cents at Walmart I have a few tubes)
- Allergy eye drops. AHHH, itchy eyes! My arch-nemesis!
Anyway, that’s what’s in my respiratory bin. Anything I’m missing?
This is in a series of medicine I keep on hand. Other posts you might find of interest are {some may be posting soon — if you don’t see it now — check back!}:
I am a registered nurse who likes to be prepared. I am not recommending you take any of these items, I would suggest talking with your physician before starting any new over the counter product. This is just what OUR FAMILY keeps on hand. I hope it’s helpful to someone. If you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, please call 911. If you have any questions or need medical advice, please talk to a doctor.
Leave a Reply