William Penn Life, 2000 (35. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2000-04-01 / 4. szám
Give your medicine cabinet a checkup by Carol Lewis FDA Consumer magazine What kind of medicines and other health products should you keep on hand to treat minor ailments or injuries? More importantly, where's the best place in the house to keep them? Contrary to age-old tradition, a bathroom medicine cabinet is not a good place to keep over-the-counter or nonprescription (OTC) or prescription medications. Showers and baths create heat and humidity that can cause some drugs to deteriorate rapidly. A cool, dark and dry placesuch as the top of a linen closet-is best for storing medicines. Such medicines should be stored in a locked container and out of a child's reach. Here's what doctors, nurses and pharmacists at the Food and Drug Administration say you should have on-hand and where you should store it in your home: IN YOUR CLOSET • Analgesic (relieves pain) • Antibiotic ointment (reduces risk of infection) • Antacid (relieves upset stomach) • Antihistamine (relieves allergy symptoms) • Syrup of ipecac (induces vomiting) • Decongestant (relieves stuffy nose and other cold symptoms) • Fever reducer (adult and child) • Hydrocortisone (relieves itching and inflammation) • Antiseptic (helps stop infection) IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET • Adhesive bandages • Adhesive tape • Gauze pads • Tweezers • Thermometer • Calibrated measuring spoon • Alcohol wipes • Disinfectant Now that you have your home properly stocked with the necessary health products, you need to maintain your supply properly. Clean out your bathroom medicine cabinet and the area where you store medicines at least once a year. Discard outdated products, damaged containers and old supplies. Restock supplies that are low or missing. Keep all items in their original containers so that no one takes the wrong one. Taking these measures can't prevent illness or accidents, but they can help you be prepared to treat such minor emergencies promptly and effectively, [jyjij] How to select over-the-counter medications by Carol Lewis FDA Consumer magazine Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are not without risk. The best way to become better informed is to read and understand the information on OTC labels and to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions. Next to the medicine itself, being informed is the most important part of self-care with nonprescription medications. Here's what to look for on the label when selecting OTC medicines: • active ingredients and purpose; • uses - indications; • warnings - when not to use the medicine, when to stop taking the medicine, when to see a doctor and possible side effects; • directions and dosage information; • any recent significant product changes; and • expiration date - when to throw it out. In addition, make sure all tamper-resistant features are intact. Check what you can before you buy and again when you get the product home. Health Links The Food and Drug Administration is perhaps the leading source of current and reliable information on food and drug safety and availability. You can access the FDA’s vast library of consumer information by logging onto: 3 vfww.fda.gov Williii Pen Lile, April 2000 5
