Family Med Kit

Family Med Kit

Fever and Pain

Brand Name (Common Examples in PH)	Active Ingredient	Class/Type	Notes
Biogesic, Panadol, Tempra, Calpol	Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)	Analgesic, Antipyretic	First-line for fever and mild to moderate pain. Generally well-tolerated. Safe for most age groups. Risk of liver damage with overdose. Widely available OTC.
Medicol Advance, Advil, Dolofen	Ibuprofen	NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)	Effective for mild to moderate pain (especially inflammatory pain) and fever. Can cause stomach upset, ulcers, and bleeding. Take with food. Not recommended for for individuals with kidney problems, heart conditions, or severe asthma. Widely available OTC.
Ponstan, Dolfenal, Gardan	Mefenamic Acid	NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)	Potent pain reliever, often used for moderate to severe pain, particularly menstrual and dental pain. Similar GI side effects to ibuprofen. Not for prolonged use. Lower doses often OTC, higher doses may require prescription.
Sarimax, Flanax, Skelan	Naproxen Sodium	NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)	Long-acting NSAID, providing up to 12 hours of relief. Effective for various pains (headache, body aches, arthritis, dysmenorrhea) and fever. Can cause GI side effects. Generally available OTC for lower strengths, but higher strengths may require prescription.
Saridon (Note: also contains Paracetamol + Caffeine)	Propyphenazone / Paracetamol / Caffeine	Pyrazolone derivative / Analgesic / CNS Stimulant	A combination product. Propyphenazone is a pain reliever. Often used for headaches. Be aware of the combined active ingredients and potential interactions or sensitivities to caffeine. Available OTC.

Cough and Cold

Brand Name (Common Examples in PH)	Active Ingredient	Class/Type	Notes
COUGH SUPPRESSANTS
Ascof Forte, Robitussin DM (also has Guaifenesin), Tuseran Forte (also has Phenylpropanolamine HCl & Paracetamol)	Dextromethorphan (DM)	Antitussive (Cough Suppressant)	Works by suppressing the cough reflex in the brain. Best for dry, non-productive coughs. Can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or stomach upset. Avoid with alcohol or other sedatives. Widely available OTC.
Plemex Forte, Solmux (Carbocisteine is often used for productive coughs, but may have a mild antitussive effect in some formulations)	Butamirate Citrate	Non-opioid Antitussive	Acts directly on the cough center to suppress cough. Often preferred for dry or irritating coughs. Generally well-tolerated. Available OTC, sometimes as drops or syrup for children.
Sinecod Forte, Tusil	Butamirate Citrate	Non-opioid Antitussive	Acts directly on the cough center to suppress cough. Often preferred for dry or irritating coughs. Generally well-tolerated. Available OTC, sometimes as drops or syrup for children.
Lagundi (e.g., Ascof Lagundi, Lagundi Forte)	Vitex negundo L. (Lagundi)	Herbal Antitussive, Expectorant	A traditional herbal medicine recognized for its cough suppressive and expectorant properties. Often used for relief of cough due to common colds, flu, and mild to moderate bronchitis. Generally well-tolerated. Widely available OTC.
EXPECTORANTS / MUCOLYTICS
Robitussin Expectorant, Fluimucil (Acetyleysteine is a mucolytic, not strictly an expectorant but helps clear mucus)	Guaifenesin	Expectorant	Helps thin and loosen mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough up. Best for wet, productive coughs. Drink plenty of water to help it work. Generally well-tolerated. Available OTC, often in combination products.
Solmux, Loviscol, Flegamin (Bromhexine is another mucolytic)	Carbocisteine	Mucolytic	Helps break down thick mucus, making it less viscous and easier to expel. Effective for productive coughs where mucus is thick and sticky. Drink plenty of water. Widely available OTC in various forms (syrup, capsules).
Solmux Advance (contains Carbocisteine + Zinc)	Carbocisteine + Zinc	Mucolytic + Mineral Supplement	Combines the mucus-thinning action of carbocisteine with zinc, which is thought to help boost immunity and reduce duration of colds. Available OTC.
Broxol, Mucosolvan	Ambroxol	Mucolytic, Expectorant	Helps break down thick mucus and also stimulates the production of more liquid mucus, making it easier to clear the airways. Used for productive coughs. Drink plenty of water. Widely available OTC.

Antidiarrheal

Brand Name (Common Examples in PH)	Active Ingredient	Class/Type	Notes
Diatabs, Imodium, Lormide	Loperamide	Antidiarrheal (Opioid Receptor Agonist)	Works by slowing down bowel movements, allowing more water to be absorbed from the gut, making stools firmer and less frequent. Used for symptomatic relief of acute diarrhea. Not for use in bloody diarrhea, high fever, or severe abdominal pain. Available OTC.
Erceflora, Lacteol Forte, Protexin	Bacillus clausii, Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces boulardii	Probiotic	Contains beneficial bacteria/yeast that help restore the natural balance of gut flora. Can be used as an adjunct in treating diarrhea, especially antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and to promote gut health. Available OTC.
Hydrite, Pedialyte, Oralyte	Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS)	Electrolyte and Fluid Replenishment	CRUCIAL for preventing and treating dehydration caused by diarrhea. Replaces lost fluids and electrolytes. Does not stop diarrhea but prevents complications. Most important treatment for diarrhea, especially in children. Widely available OTC in powder form to be mixed with water.
Smecta, DiosmeC, Actapulgite	Diosmectite / Attapulgite	Adsorbent Antidiarrheal	Natural clay minerals that absorb toxins, bacteria, and water in the gut, helping to firm up stools. May also help protect the intestinal lining. Generally well-tolerated. Available OTC.

Antihistamines for Allergy Management (Philippines)

Brand Name (Common Examples in PH)	Active Ingredient	Generation	Notes
Verlix, Zyrtec, Allercet	Cetirizine	Second-generation	Generally non-drowsy for most, but can cause drowsiness in some individuals (like yourself). Fast-acting. Widely available OTC.
Claritin, Allerta, Loraped	Loratadine	Second-generation	Less likely to cause drowsiness than cetirizine. Considered a “non-drowsy” option. Effective for 24 hours. Widely available OTC. Good starting point if cetirizine causes drowsiness.
Telfast, Allegra	Fexofenadine	Third-generation	Known as the least sedating antihistamine. Excellent choice if drowsiness is a major concern. Generally very well-tolerated. Often available OTC for some strengths, but higher doses might require prescription.
Aerius, Deslogen	Desloratadine	Third-generation	Active metabolite of loratadine. Designed to be even more potent and less likely to cause drowsiness than loratadine. Typically requires a prescription in the Philippines.
Xyzal, Allerzet, Levocec	Levocetirizine	Third-generation	Active isomer of cetirizine. May be effective at a lower dose and potentially have a slightly better side effect profile than cetirizine, but some individuals might still experience mild drowsiness. Often requires a prescription.