Tag Archives: over the counter medicine

Your Medicine Cabinet

Did you know that heat and moisture can render some medicines and first aid supplies virtually useless? Store your pain relievers, prescription medicine, and first aid stuff in a linen cabinet or another dry place where they’ll be handy but not near the hot steam from your daily shower. While you’re moving things around, check the expiration dates. Yes, prescription and over the counter medicines should be marked with expiration dates. If the date has passed, dispose of the medicine! Make sure to keep ALL medicines out of the reach of children and pets — a curious kid or nosy … Continue reading →

OTC Allergy Medicine: Diphenhydramine

Another antihistamine you may see in over-the-counter allergy medicines is diphenhydramine. Diphenhydramine isn’t just for allergies; it is also used for a variety of other problems like insect bites and bee stings, poison ivy and sunburns, motion sickness, sleeplessness, and Parkinson’s disease. Because it has so many different possible uses, read the directions carefully and be sure to follow them! Before taking an over-the-counter allergy medicine that contains diphenhydramine, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Be sure to talk about what other medicines you are currently taking — prescription and nonprescription. Diphenhydramine can be a problem if you … Continue reading →

OTC Allergy Medicine: Pseudoephedrine

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant used to relieve nasal and sinus congestion. It may also be used to help relieve ear congestion due to inflammation or infection. You may find it used in combination with an antihistamine in various allergy medicines. Pseudoephedrine is available as a tablet/capsule, syrup, and fast-dissolving tablet. Before taking any over-the-counter medicine, you should read and understand everything on the label. If you are not sure about something, or want to ask about drug interactions, call your doctor or ask your pharmacist. Pseudoephedrine should not be used if you are taking beta-blockers or MAO inhibitors — the … Continue reading →

OTC Allergy Medicine: Loratadine

If you decide to go with an over-the-counter allergy medicine, you may be wondering which one to pick. I can’t tell you which product will be best for you, but I can tell you what the different ingredients are and what they do! Loratadine is an antihistamine — a drug that blocks substances (may be called allergens or histamines) in the body that cause allergic symptoms. Like most allergy relief medicine, it relives sneezing, runny noses, itchy and watery eyes, and other allergy/hay fever symptoms. Some name brands that use loratadine as the main ingredient? Claritin and Alavert. The name … Continue reading →