Here Are the Basic Medicines You Should Have at Home, According to a Doctor

(SPOT.ph) Medicine is everywhere, but most of us tend to overlook its significance as a pill-popping lifeline. Stocking up on basic medicine at home is a simple fix for those unexpected moments of sickness or pain. It's a practical measure that provides immediate relief for common ailements such as headaches, fevers, and colds without having to plan a trip to the pharmacy. 

To help you build a basic medical kit, we consulted with Dr. Christopher Ocampo, a seasoned consultant at the Chinese General Hospital. According to him, there are seven must-have over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that every person should have at home. Dr. Ocampo also shared how frequently each medicine should be taken and the possible side effects to be aware of.

“OTC are basically medicines that don’t need a doctor’s prescription…to treat symptoms of a disease or condition,” Dr. Ocampo told SPOT.ph. “These drugs are relatively safe and very unlikely to have side effects, especially when taken within recommended doses and frequency.”

Also read: Branded vs Generic Drugs: Is One Better Than the Other?

Basic medicine list to stock up on

Paracetamol

Perhaps the most common painkiller in the country, paracetamol is used to relieve symptoms for headache and fever. It can be taken every six to eight hours as needed and there should be no side effects from taking this medicine.

Brand name examples: Biogesic, Calpol, Alaxan FR, Tylenol, and Tuseran Forte

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen, in simpler terms, is an all-around pain medication. It’s for everything that involves pain: wounds, toothache, headache, and even dysmenorrhea. It can be taken twice per day, but it can also cause an upset stomach.

Another close variation to ibuprofen is mefenamic acid, which is usually only available for purchase with a doctor’s prescription.

Brand name examples: Bioflu, Advil, Dolfenal, Medicol, Alaxan FR, Nurofen, and Dolan

Loperamide

Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal medicine that can be taken three to four times a day as needed. However, it can cause ileus or what we understand as slow bowel movement.

Brand name examples: Diatabs, Imodium, and Lomotil

Meclizine

Meclizine is used to treat motion sickness and dizziness. It can be taken once a day, but it can cause headaches, blurring of vision, and even drowsiness. 

Brand name examples: Bonamine and Dizitab

Cetirizine

Cetirizine is an antihistamine medication that is used to effectively treat allergic rhinitis and urticaria. You can take up to two tablets per day. Like meclizine, it can cause drowsiness.

A similar alternative to cetirizine is loratadine. According to the NY Allergy and Sinus Centers, patients have reported that cetirizine works faster, while loratadine lasts longer. Take your pick.

Brand name examples: Allerta, Cetizine, and Zyrtec

Phenylephrine

Phenylephrine is common cold medications for the symptomatic treatment of the, well, common cold. Think watery eyes, runny rose, and sneezing. It can be taken up to three times a day as needed.

However, it can cause anxiety and palpitation as side effects.

Brand name examples: Neozep, Decolgen, Bioflu, and Sinutab

Antacid

Antacid is an anti-acidity medication that helps neutralize stomach acid. It provides relief from conditions like heartburn, acid indigestion, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. It can be taken once or twice a day as needed.

Take note that since it will raise the pH level of the stomach acid, it can cause diarrhea or constipation in the process of reliving the symptoms.

Brand name examples: Kremil-S, Tums, Alka-Seltzer, and Gaviscon

Other important things to know

Is there a difference between generic and branded medicine?

There’s no need to be choosy when it comes to purchasing OTC drugs, Dr. Ocampo said, as generic ones are just as effective to treating symptoms as branded ones. This is a reminder that even the Department of Health told the public in 2022. Brands shouldn’t matter as long as the right medication is given.

For example, the Department of Health (DOH) said there are 454 kinds of paracetamol registered under the Food and Drug Administration that people can buy should Biogesic go out of stock.

How long should I take medicine before seeking medical advice?

Dr. Ocampo said people can expect to feel relieved within one hour of taking the medicine. If nothing changes, OTC medicine might not be enough to combat the sickness or pain.

You've heard of the medical advice: If symptoms persist, consult a doctor. For Dr. Ocampo, this is vague but ultimately true: “Ideally naman kasi, these drugs are initial treatment. In my practice, [if] they are still there after three days, pa-consult na. Pero hindi ito standard at wala naman standard.”

Can medicine be taken on an empty stomach?

It depends on which medicine, Dr. Ocampo said.

He stated that pain medications like ibuprofen and mefenamic acid should be taken after meals, otherwise, it can cause an upset stomach. Everything else on his list should be safe to take on an empty stomach.

Can pills and tablets be crushed to smaller bits?

There are no age restrictions when it comes to the medicines, but Dr. Ocampo said pediatrician patients will usually be given a lower dosage depending on weight. Pedia patients are everyone who is less or equal to 18 years old.

Some people might have difficulties in swallowing the drug, which is why they choose to crush it into smaller bits. Harvard Medical School suggests to put the pill in food that can be swallowed without chewing, such as yogurt or fruit puree. You can also consider liquid forms of the medication, if available. Unless it is marketed as chewable, it’s important not to crush or chew tablets as WebMD warns it can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.

Also read: Generic Medicine Isn't Low in Quality + Other Common Drug Myths, Debunked

In the absence of direct medical supervision, Dr. Ocampo said it places a greater responsibility on individuals to exercise care and caution when it comes to personal health—and that includes medication intake. Being well-informed and knowledgeable about the proper usage, dosage, and potential side effects of OTC drugs is the necessary first step.

“We still need to be responsible in using these when it is only needed,” Dr. Ocampo told SPOT.ph. “It is not a vitamin or maintenance medication that we need to take regularly. We should also understand that if these symptoms persist, we should seek medical advice.”