The following list includes drugs that your doctor may prescribe or recommend. It is often cheaper to buy these over the counter at the pharmacy rather than using an NHS prescription with its attendant charge. The list is not comprehensive. As with all medication, do not exceed recommended doses and if you are taking other medicines or have a long term illness like kidney disease or asthma please discuss this with your pharmacist or doctor. Similar advice applies to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Painkillers and anti-inflammatories

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen tablets and syrup (e.g. Nurofen)
• Paracetamol
• Paracetamol and codeine
• Paracetamol and dihydrocodeine
• Paracetamol/codeine/buclizine (Migraleve)

Mouth care

• Bonjela gel
• Chlorhexidine gluconate
• Lignocaine gel

Anti-inflammatory gels

• Felbinac gel
• Ibuprofen gel
• Ketoprofen gel
• Piroxicam gel

Antifungals

• Clotrimazole (Canesten) cream and pessaries
• Fluconazole (Diflucan) capsules
• Miconazole (Daktarin) cream

Steroid ointment

• Hydrocortisone 1%

Moisturising creams

• Aqueous cream
• Balneum
• Balneum plus
• E45
• Emulsifying ointment
• Oilatum

Acne treatments

• Benzoyl peroxide

Skin irritation

• Crotamiton

Drugs for travel

• Dioralyte fluid replacement sachets
• Loperamide (Imodium) for diarrhoea

Anti-acid medication

• Cimetidine
• Famotidine
• Ranitidine
• Simple antacids like aluminium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium hydroxide tablets or liquid

Anti spasmodics

• Mebeverine
• Alverine
• Peppermint oil

Laxatives

• Senna tablets or in syrup
• Lactulose
• Bisacodyl

Fibre

• Ispaghula husk

Minerals

• Ferrous sulphate

Worm treatments

• Mebendazole
• Piperazine

Nasal decongestants

Do not use these for more than one week, they can cause rebound nasal congestion with continued use.

• Ephedrine drops
• Xylometazoline drops or spray

Wart or corn treatments

• Salicylic and lactic acid gel

Dandruff and scaly scalp conditions

• Coal tar shampoo
• Ketoconazole shampoo

Scabies and lice

• Malathion
• Permerthrin

Nasal steroid sprays

• Beclomethasone

Antihistamines

• Chlorpheniramine
• Loratadine
• Cetirizine

Eye drops for allergies

• Sodium cromoglycate

Vitamin drops for children

• Abidec

Malaria prevention

• Chloroquine
• Proguanil