Nonprescription medications in the home medicine cabinet could save a trip to the doctor. The January issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter lists more than a dozen over-the-counter medications that can help manage minor ailments.
Examples include:
Swim-Ear, Auro-Dri -- These products can help after swimming and also may be helpful in treating mild outer ear infections that result from swimming or water getting in the ear. The acetic acid in these products helps re-establish the ear's normal environment and discourages yeast and bacterial growth.
Debrox, Murine Earwax Removal and Mack's Wax Away eardrops -- The active ingredient in these products, carbamide peroxide, is ideal for dissolving wax in the outer ear. Wax is then flushed out using warm water in a bulb syringe.
Chloraseptic spray -- This spray helps relieve mild-to-moderate sore throat pain. After the initial taste wears off, the spray can be quite soothing to the throat for several hours.
Famotidine (Pepcid AC, others) -- Pepcid is one of several H-2-receptor blockers that eases stomach upset and indigestion. It reduces the production of stomach acid. Other drugs in this category are ranitidine (Zantac) and cimetidine (Tagamet). For adults over age 50, an evaluation for underlying medical conditions is recommended before using these products on an ongoing basis.
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) -- This medication is helpful for stomach upset, heartburn and diarrhea, including traveler's diarrhea.