Got everything you need for winter?

The winter pharmacy cabinet is based on the relieving of cold weather symptoms: 

•  Fever and pain 

• • Antipyretics 

  • Painkillers 

  • Digital or infra-red thermometer 

• • topical nasal decongestants in spray or drops - apply directly to the nose 

  • oral administration decongestants (systemic)

  • saline solution

  • hyper or hypotonic spray of sea water 

•  Runny nose or rhinorrhoea 

• • antihistamines - medicines for allergies that help reduce the amount of nasal mucus   

•  Cough   

• • mucolytics and expectorants - facilitate the release of secretions making them more fluid 

  •  Antitussives - for occasional situations of dry and irritating cough 

•  Sore throat, hoarseness and aphonia  

• • anti-inflammatory drugs 

  • tablets with local anaesthetics  

  • fruit and plant-based emollient lozenges - calm and soothe throat irritation 

•  Chap - moisturisers in sticks, creams, or ointments  

• Chilblains 

Remember that other situations may occur regardless of the season, such as: 

• Burns and scalds (e.g. cooking, ironing) 

• • regenerating ointment 

  • painkillers for pain relief 

• Cuts, scrapes and other wounds - Always have a first aid kit with: 70% isopropyl alcohol, unidose saline solution, pair of tweezers, scissors, thermometer, plasters of different sizes, compresses, bandages, gauze, adhesive, disposable gloves, and disinfectant solution 

•  Trauma (e.g. bumps) and muscle pain 

• • Arnica and plant-based ointments, gels, or lotions 

  • Painkillers  

  • anti-inflammatory drugs
    
    

To know

Being prepared to act upon the symptoms of the most common winter diseases is of utmost importance and keeping medications in conditions that guarantee their effectiveness and safety is also especially important. Medicinal products should be:  

• kept away from light, moisture, and heat sources 

• kept away from children to avoid the risk of poisoning 

• kept in their original packaging, together with the respective information leaflet 

• medicines prescribed by the doctor should be separated from the rest and adults’ medications should be separated from those of children 

• see if there are any outdated or unused drugs. These must be placed in VALORMED containers at pharmacies. 
  

Drugs should be taken according to your doctor or pharmacist indications. At this time of winter, when symptoms often last for several days, it is especially important not to exceed the recommended doses or the maximum time for taking a certain medication.  

Ask your pharmacist for advice on how to prevent and treat winter health problems and to organize your winter closet.