THE MEDICINE CABINET

This post is about the OTC medications I think every family should stock whether you are on the road or not. One legal caveat: even though I am a physician I cannot possibly know everything about you (like allergies and other co-morbidities) so take my suggestions and apply them wisely to your own family's situation. Many of the medications can be found in dollar stores so an initial cash outlay should not be cost-prohibitive.
1. Anti-fungal ointment. Adults can use tea tree oil but it is much more expensive, takes longer to work, and can be toxic to children.
2. Loratidine for allergies.
3. Benadryl for acute allergies and insomnia.
4. Aspirin. Not for kids.
5. Generic Tyleniol.
6. Ibuprofen or naproxen (more expensive). The last four for pain, fevers, and where applicable, inflammation.
7. Pepcid or Zantac (generic equivalents) for stomache aches, indigestion and reflux. My wife uses ginger tea for this.
8. Duct tape for warts.
9. PMS tea and Evening of Primrose Oil for "women's issues."
10. Antibiotic ointment. Good stuff, not systemic.
11. Oxymetazoline nasal spray for congestion. Alternate nostrils every 12 hours so you don't become "addicted" to it. Ibuprofen and naproxen also help since a part of congestion is due to inflammation.
12. Delsym syrup for coughs: 12 hour dosing!
13. Imodium-AD for diarrhea. Also orange juice diluted 50% with water for rehydration.
14. Caladryl lotion for local rashes.
This is what we have now. If I think of something I missed I'll let you know.