I think I'm unwell
No matter how well you look after yourself, all women suffer from irritating minor ailments from time to time. However, while it might be nice to see your GP at such times, this is not necessarily the most convenient course of action. GPs can be difficult to get hold of and you usually need an appointment to see them. The Government is also encouraging the public to take more control of their health and not to bother their GP for minor ailments. The GP's time would then be better spent looking after the needy and frail among us.

So where do you go?
Your pharmacist is a good source of professional advice on the treatment of minor ailments. Pharmacists are experts on both prescription medicines (POM) and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. They will always give you professional, impartial, safe advice tailored to your personal circumstances. Pharmacists always ask specific questions so they can give you the best advice and recommend the most appropriate medicines for your individual needs.

How can the pharmacist help?
Pharmacists can help you to manage minor ailments such as cough, cold, runny nose, etc. You can buy OTC medicines without a prescription from a registered pharmacy. The pharmacist must supervise the sale of pharmacy medicines to ensure your safety.

If symptoms from a minor ailment persist, you should seek further medical advice from your GP. In an emergency, you should dial 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital for medical attention.

OTC medicines for women
The following OTC medicines are recommended as a 'medicines chest' for women that could be handy to keep at home to use when needed. Your pharmacist will explain how the medicines should be used and any precautions (eg side effects) relating to their use.

Further information on the following OTC medicines can be found by reading the package insert for that medicine.

Most medicines have two names. The brand name is the name given to a medicine by the manufacturer and is usually used for promotional and advertising purposes. The generic name is the actual name of the medicine itself. Generic drugs are usually cheaper than brand-name versions, but are not necessarily any less effective.

Cystitis

The following products relieve the symptoms of cystitis by neutralising the acidic urine, caused by bacterial infection, and hence relieve the pain. They come in powder or granule form and need to be dissolved in water before being taken. It is advisable to drink plenty of water in between taking the medicine (you can take up to five litres - eight pints - of fluid over a 24-hour period).

Canesten Oasis

Active ingredients: citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and sodium citrate.

Adult dose: the contents of one effervescent powder sachet to be dissolved in water and taken three times a day for two days. The treatment course of six sachets should be completed. This OTC medicine is not recommended for use in men or children.

Cymalon

Active ingredients: citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and sodium citrate.

Adult dose: the contents of one sachet of granules to be dissolved in water and taken three times a day for two days. The treatment course of six sachets should be completed. This OTC medicine is not recommended for use in children.

Cystoleve

Active Ingredient: sodium citrate.

Adult dose: the contents of one sachet of powder to be dissolved in water and taken three times a day for two days. The treatment course of six sachets should be completed. This OTC medicine is not recommended for use in men or children.

Cystopurin

Active Ingredient: potassium citrate.

Dose (adults, elderly, children over six years): the contents of one sachet of granular powder to be dissolved in 200mls of water and taken three times a day for two days. The treatment course of six sachets should be completed. This OTC medicine is not recommended for use in children under six years of age.

Cystemme

Active Ingredient(s): sodium bicarbonate, and sodium citrate.

Adult dose: the contents of one sachet of granules to be dissolved in water and taken three times a day for two days. The treatment course of six sachets should be completed. This OTC medicine is not recommended for use in children.

Vaginal thrush
Thrush is a fungal infection of the vagina. The most common symptoms are itching, soreness and a white discharge. These products are antifungal agents and come in the form of pessaries, creams, ointments or tablets that are inserted into the vagina, usually at night. There is also one product available as an oral capsule.

Canestan Combi

Active ingredient: clotrimazole 500mg pessary and 1 per cent clotrimazole cream.

Adult dose (under 60): one pessary to be inserted as deeply as is comfortable into the vagina at night. The cream is to be applied morning and night to the vulva and surrounding area and to the partner's penis to prevent re-infection. This OTC medicine is not intended for adults over 60 or children.

Canestan Once

Active ingredient: 10 per cent clotrimazole vaginal cream.

Adult dose (under 60): the contents of the filled applicator (5g) to be inserted as deeply as is comfortable into the vagina, preferably at night. This OTC medicine is not intended for adults over 60 or children.

Canesten Pessary

Active ingredient: Clotrimazole 500mg pessary.

Adult dose (under 60): one pessary to be inserted as deeply as is comfortable into the vagina at night. This OTC medicine is not intended for adults over 60 or children.

Canesten Vaginal Cream

Active ingredient: 10 per cent clotrimazole vaginal cream.

Adult dose (under 60): the contents of the filled applicator (5g) to be inserted as deeply as is comfortable into the vagina, preferably at night. This medicine is not intended for adults over 60 or children.

Candiden Vaginal Tablet

Active ingredient: clotrimazole 500mg tablet.

Adult dose: one tablet to be inserted as deeply as is comfortable into the vagina at night. This medicine is not recommended for use in children.

Diflucan One

Active ingredient: fluconazole 150mg capsule.

Adult dose (16 -60 years): One capsule to be taken orally as a single dose. This medicine is not intended for adults over 60 or children.

Painful periods

Feminax

Active ingredients: caffeine, paracetamol, codeine phosphate, hyoscine hydrobromide.

Adult dose: One to two tablets to be taken every four hours. No more than two tablets should be taken at any one time and no more than six tablets to be taken in any 24-hour period. Other medicines containing paracetamol must not be taken at the same time as this medicine. This OTC medicine is not recommended for use in children.

Nurofen, Advil

Active ingredient: Ibuprofen 200mg.

Adult dose: adults and elderly: One or two tablets to be taken with our after food every four to six hours as required. No more than six tablets to be taken in any 24-hour period. This OTC medicine is not recommended for use in children.

Buscopan

Active ingredients: hyoscine butylbromide

Adult dose: two tablets to be taken four times daily, starting two days before onset of period and continue for three days after menstruation has begun.

Children's Dose (6-12 years): ONE tablet to be taken three times daily. This OTC medicine is not recommended for children under 6 years.

Dietary Supplementation in Pregnancy - Folic Acid Preparations
In 1992, the UK Department of Health, recommended that all women of childbearing age should receive folic acid supplements. Women who are planning a pregnancy are advised to take 400mcg (0.4mg) of folic acid every day, beginning three months before conception and continuing for the first three months (first trimester) of pregnancy. All pregnant women in the UK are entitled to free prescriptions for folic acid. Folic acid supplements can also be bought from your local pharmacy as an OTC medicine:

Preconceive

Active ingredient: folic acid 400mcg

Adult dose: all women planning to become pregnant should take one tablet daily, three months before conceiving and until the end of the third month of pregnancy.

General rules on the safe use of medicines

Make sure you know the name of the medicine(s) you are taking and whether it is the brand or generic name.

Know why you are taking a particular medicine and how to take it. Should it be taken with food or on an empty stomach? Is it best taken at night or in the morning? If you are not sure always ask your GP or pharmacist for advice.

Always inform your GP or pharmacist of all the medicines you are currently taking including OTC medicines, herbal products or the contraceptive pill. This will prevent medicines being taken that may interfere with each other (drug interactions).

Always read the patient information leaflet (PIL) or label instructions carefully before taking any medicine. If they do not seem clear ask your GP or pharmacist.

Never take a medicine that was not intended for your use ie was not prescribed specifically for you by your GP or not recommended for you by your pharmacist. Medicines are prescribed or recommended for individuals to meet their specific needs and circumstances. What is suitable for you may be unsuitable for someone else.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not remove the special click-lock child resistant tops off your medicine bottle. They could save a child's life.

Never remove medicines from their original container and mix different medicines together in one container, even if you know which ones are which.

Never use any medicines after their use-by or expiry date. This date is usually found on the side of the original container. Two types of wording are usually used - Expiry (Exp) Date or Use By date. Exp Nov 2001 means do not use this medicine after November 2001. Use by Nov 2001, means do not use this medicine after 31st October 2001.

Keep all medicine in a cool dry place and away from humid hot conditions.

Always inform your GP or pharmacist if you pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breast feeding as certain medicines should be avoided during these times.

Never exceed the dose recommended by your GP or pharmacist or stated in the PIL or medicine label.

Always take the medicines as instructed for the specified treatment period.

Be aware of the possible side effects that may occur when taking your medicine. Report any unusual effects to your GP or pharmacist.

Only take medicines for their intended purpose as recommended by your GP or pharmacist.

If in doubt, ask your GP.

BACK

How to give up smoking

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use