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Class: Analgesic, antipyretic. Not anti-inflammatory.
Uses: Pain (headache, body aches, toothache), fever reduction. Good for people who can't take NSAIDs (stomach issues, on blood thinners).
Mechanism: Blocks pain signals in brain, reduces fever by acting on hypothalamus. Not fully understood.
Dosing:
Caution:
Source: Generic at any pharmacy ($3-5/100 tablets). Costco/Sam's Club bulk. Dollar stores carry generic.
DIY: Willow bark tea contains salicin (NOT acetaminophen - works differently). Cool compresses for fever. Hydration for headaches. Caffeine can help headaches (vasoconstriction).
No anti-inflammatory effect - won't help swelling. Choose ibuprofen for injuries/inflammation. Choose acetaminophen if stomach issues or on blood thinners.
Class: NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)
Uses: Pain, fever, inflammation (swelling, injuries, arthritis), menstrual cramps. Better than acetaminophen for inflammatory conditions.
Mechanism: Blocks COX enzymes, reducing prostaglandin production. Reduces pain, fever, and inflammation.
Dosing:
Caution:
Source: Generic anywhere ($4-6/100 tablets). Bulk at warehouse stores. Children's liquid at pharmacies.
DIY: Turmeric + black pepper for inflammation. Ginger for pain/inflammation. Ice for acute injuries. Heat for muscle pain. Willow bark (natural salicylate).
Class: NSAID, antiplatelet
Uses: Pain, fever, inflammation (higher doses), heart attack prevention (low dose), emergency heart attack treatment.
Mechanism: Irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation (blood thinning effect lasts 7-10 days). Reduces prostaglandins.
Dosing:
Caution:
Source: Any pharmacy, dollar stores. Baby aspirin (81mg) at pharmacies. Enteric-coated for daily use.
DIY: Willow bark tea (contains salicin, similar to aspirin). Chew willow bark for headache. Not for children either.
Chew aspirin for heart attack - absorbs faster than swallowing whole. Don't use enteric-coated for emergency (slower absorption).
Class: NSAID
Uses: Pain, inflammation, menstrual cramps. Longer lasting than ibuprofen.
Dosing:
Caution: Similar to ibuprofen - stomach, kidney risks. Don't combine with other NSAIDs.
Lasts longer than ibuprofen (8-12 hours vs 4-6). Good for overnight pain relief. Slower onset - not best for acute pain.
Class: First-generation antihistamine
Uses: Allergic reactions, hives, itching, runny nose, motion sickness, sleep aid (short-term), emergency anaphylaxis (after epinephrine).
Mechanism: Blocks H1 histamine receptors. Crosses blood-brain barrier (causes drowsiness).
Dosing:
Caution:
Source: Any pharmacy, dollar stores. Generic liquid and tablets. Most cost-effective antihistamine.
DIY: Quercetin (natural antihistamine). Vitamin C (reduces histamine). Local honey for seasonal allergies (prevention, not acute). Nettle tea.
Best for acute allergic reactions. Not ideal for daily allergies due to drowsiness. Use second-generation antihistamines (Claritin, Zyrtec) for daily use.
Class: Second-generation antihistamine
Uses: Seasonal allergies, hives, runny nose, sneezing. Non-drowsy.
Dosing: 10mg once daily (adults and children 6+). 5mg for children 2-5.
Non-drowsy for most people. Takes 1-3 hours to start working. Good for daily prevention during allergy season.
Class: Second-generation antihistamine
Uses: Allergies, hives. May cause mild drowsiness in some people.
Dosing: 10mg once daily. 5mg for children 2-5.
Works faster than loratadine (1 hour vs 3 hours). Slightly more effective for some people. May cause mild drowsiness - test before driving.
Class: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
Uses: Heartburn, acid reflux, GERD, stomach ulcers (with antibiotics).
Mechanism: Blocks acid production in stomach. Takes days to reach full effect.
Dosing: 20mg once daily, 30-60 minutes before eating. 14-day course, then wait 4 months before another course (OTC guidance).
Caution:
Source: Any pharmacy. Generic $10-15/14 day supply. Name brand more expensive.
DIY: Apple cider vinegar (diluted) before meals - paradoxically helps some reflux. Avoid trigger foods. Elevate head when sleeping. Smaller meals. Don't eat 3 hours before bed. Ginger tea. Licorice root (DGL form safer).
Class: Antidiarrheal
Uses: Acute diarrhea, traveler's diarrhea, IBS-D.
Mechanism: Slows gut motility. Acts on opioid receptors in gut (doesn't cross to brain at normal doses).
Dosing:
Caution:
Source: Any pharmacy. Generic $5-8. Often cheapest at big box stores.
DIY: BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast). Black tea (tannins slow diarrhea). Ginger tea. Bone broth (electrolytes). Activated charcoal (for toxin-related diarrhea). PROBIOTICS after episode to restore gut flora. Hydration critical - oral rehydration solution.
Diarrhea is body's way of expelling toxins. Sometimes better to let it run 24 hours before taking loperamide. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
Uses: Gas, bloating, pressure.
Mechanism: Breaks down gas bubbles in gut.
Dosing: 40-125mg after meals and at bedtime. Very safe.
Doesn't prevent gas - helps break up existing gas. Safe with other medications. No major interactions.
Class: Antacid
Uses: Heartburn, indigestion, calcium supplement.
Mechanism: Neutralizes stomach acid directly. Fast-acting but short-lasting.
Dosing: 500-1500mg as needed, max 7500mg/day. Chew thoroughly.
Caution: Can cause rebound acid. Can constipate. Interacts with some medications (separate by 2 hours from other meds).
DIY: Baking soda in water (1/2 tsp in 4oz water) - works but high sodium. Avoid if on sodium restriction.
Class: Expectorant
Uses: Chest congestion, productive cough. Helps thin mucus.
Dosing: 200-400mg every 4 hours, or 600-1200mg extended release every 12 hours.
Mechanism: Increases respiratory tract fluid, thins mucus.
Drink plenty of water - works by hydrating mucus. Without water, less effective. Safe, few side effects.
Class: Cough suppressant
Uses: Dry, non-productive cough.
Dosing: 10-20mg every 4 hours, or 60mg extended release every 12 hours.
Caution: Don't use for productive cough (need to clear mucus). Can interact with SSRIs. Recreational abuse potential (don't exceed doses).
DIY: Honey (as effective as dextromethorphan in studies). Steam inhalation. Warm liquids. Throat lozenges.
Class: Decongestant
Uses: Nasal/sinus congestion, ear pressure.
Mechanism: Constricts blood vessels in nasal passages.
Dosing: 30-60mg every 4-6 hours, or 120mg extended release every 12 hours.
Caution:
Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE) is the shelf alternative but studies show it's barely more effective than placebo for oral use. Pseudoephedrine actually works.
DIY: Saline nasal rinse (Neti pot). Steam inhalation. Eucalyptus oil. Hydration. Elevate head while sleeping.
Uses: Itching, rashes, insect bites, eczema, allergic skin reactions.
Dosing: Apply thin layer 1-4 times daily. Don't use more than 7 days on face.
Caution: Thins skin with prolonged use. Don't use on open wounds. Don't use long-term without medical guidance.
Uses: Minor cuts, scrapes, burns. Prevents infection in minor wounds.
Note: Some people develop Neosporin allergy after repeated use. Bacitracin alone less allergenic. Clean wound first - ointment won't penetrate dirt.
DIY: Honey on wounds (especially Manuka). Clean with soap and water. Keep covered. Most wounds heal fine without antibiotic ointment if kept clean.
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