Having a bad headache? Getting digestion problems every now and then? Whether OTC medications are part of your everyday life or not, the convenience of having them in hand for occasional ailments and discomfort is essential for any home. These are readily available at any local pharmacy nearby, at a standard price, and comes with easy to follow dosing instructions.
Some common ailments that can be remedied with these medications are stomach upset, acid reflux, allergies, cough and colds, for pain relief, and insomnia, among others. To help guide you on filling up your pill box or medicine cabinet, listed below are commonly used drug names available in dosages for adults and children 12 years old and older.
Painkillers
- Acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol®)
| Regular Strength
325 mg/tablet |
Take 2 tabs four to six times daily as needed for pain | Max of 10 tabs per day, or as advised. |
| Extra Strength
500 mg/tablet |
Take 2 tabs four times daily as needed for pain | Max of 6 tabs per day, or as advised. |
- Ibuprofen (Advil®)
| 200 mg/tablet/cap/gelcap | Take 1 tab four to six times daily as needed for pain; can take up to 2 tabs | Max of 6 tabs per day |
- Naproxen sodium (Aleve®)
| 220 mg/tablet/caplet/gelcap/liquid gel | Take 1 tab twice to three times daily as needed for pain as needed for pain; can take up to 2 tablets for the 1st dose within the 1st hour | Max of 2 tabs per 12 hours or 3 tabs per day
Don’t use for longer than 10 days. |
- Aspirin
| Regular Dose (325 mg/ caplet) | Take 1 or 2 caps with water up to six times daily as needed | Max of 12 caps per 24 hours |
| Low Dose (81 mg/ tablet) | Take 4 to 8 tablets with water up to six times daily as needed | Max of 48 tabs per 24 hours |
Antacid and acid blockers
- Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®)
| Original or Rapid Relief LiquiCaps
262 mg/chewable tablet, caplet or LiquiCap |
Take 2 tabs as needed | Max of eight 262 mg tabs or four 525 mg tabs per day. Don’t use for longer than 2 days. |
- Famotidine (Pepcid®)
| Pepcid Complete
10 mg/ chewable tablet |
Take 1 tab as needed. Chew tablet before swallowing. | Â
Max of 2 tabs per day |
| Original Strength
10 mg/ tablet |
Take 1 tab as needed. Take one hour before meals to prevent heartburn. | Swallow tab; do not chew. |
| Maximum Strength
20 mg/ tablet |
Take 1 tab as needed. Take one hour before meals to prevent heartburn. | Â |
- Calcium carbonate (Tums®)
| Regular Strength
500 mg/ tablet |
Take 2 to 4 tabs as needed | Chew before swallowing.
Max of 15 tabs per day. Don’t take for persistent symptoms lasting more than 14 days, or as advised by a doctor |
| Extra Strength
750 mg/ tablet |
Take 2 to 4 tabs as needed | Max of 10 tabs per day. |
Nasal decongestant
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®)
| Sinus Congestion
30 mg/ tablet |
Take 2 caps every 4 to 6 hours | Max of 8 caps per day |
| Sinus Congestion 12 Hour
120 mg/ tablet |
Take 1 tab twice a day | Max of 2 tabs per day |
| Sinus Congestion 24 Hour
240 mg/ tablet |
Take 1 tab once a day | Take tab as a whole; do not chew or dissolve.
Max of 1 tablet per day |
Anti-allergy
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)
| 25 mg/tablet | Take 1 to 2 tabs every 4 to 6 hours as needed, or as advised by a doctor. | Max of 6 tabs per day. Use as indicated. |
Anti-insomnia
- Melatonin
| 1-10 mg/ tablet | For sleep disorders, take a 2 mg tablet once at bedtime | For disturbed sleep-wake cycle, may take for up to 13 weeks only. |
A fair precaution should be taken when taking other medicines that may interfere with the maintenance of another health problem. A doctor’s prescription and advice should be sought for when you have a more severe sickness that needs immediate care.
Organizing your medications shouldn’t be as difficult as before now that you have a good idea about their timing and dosage for further use.
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