NHS England has introduced guidance regarding over the counter medication.

Please see below for examples of products we would ask you to buy:

Condition/Item

• Probiotics – Probiotic sachets
• Vitamins and Minerals – Vitamin B compound tablets, Vitamin C effervescent 1g tablets, Multivitamin preparations
• Acute Sore Throat – Lozengers or throat sprays
• Cold Sores – Antiviral cold sore cream
• Conjunctivitis – Antimicrobial eye drops and eye ointment
• Coughs, Colds and Nasal Congestion – Cough mixtures or linctus, Saline nose drops, Menthol vapour rubs, Cold and flu capsules or sachets
• Cradle Cap – Emulsifying ointment, shampoos
• Haemorrhoids – Haemorrhoid creams, ointments and suppositories
• Infant Colic – Simethicone suspensions, lactase drops
• Mild Cystitis – Sodium bicarbonate or potassium citrate granules
• Contact Dermatitis – Emollients, steroid creams
• Dandruff – Antidandruff shampoos, antifungal shampoos
• Diarrhoea (Adults) – Loperamide 2mg capsules, rehydration sachets
• Dry eyes/ sore (tired) eyes – Eye drops for sore tired eyes, hypromellose 0.3% eyedrops
• Earwax – Drops containing sodium bicarbonate, hydrogen peroxide, olive oil or almond oil
• Excessive sweating (mild – moderate hyperhidrosis) – Aluminium chloride sprays, roll-ons, solutions
• Head Lice – Creams or lotions for head lice
• Indigestion and heartburn – Antacid tablets or liquids,Ranitidine 150mg Tablets, OTC proton pump inhibitors e.g. omeprazole 10mg capsules, sodium alginate, calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate liquids
• Infrequent Constipation – Bisacodyl tablets 5mg, ispaghula Husk granules, lactulose solution
• Infrequent Migraines – Migraine tablets, painkillers, anti-sickness tablets
• Insect bites and stings – Steroid creams or creams for itching
• Mild Acne – Benzoyl peroxide products, salicylic acid products
• Mild Dry Skin – Emollient creams, ointments and lotions
• Sunburns/ sun protection – After sun care, suncreams
• Mild to Moderate Hayfever/ Seasonal Rhinitis – Antihistamine tablets or liquids,steroid nasal sprays, sodium cromoglicate eye drops
• Minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and/fever. (e.g. aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain) – Paracetamol 500mg tablets,Ibuprofen 400mg tablets, NSAID topical creams or gels, paracetamol suspension
• Mouth Ulcers – Antimicrobial mouthwash
• Nappy Rash – Nappy rash creams
• Prevention of dental caries – Fluoride toothpastes, mouthwashes
• Ringworm/ Athletes Foot – Athletes foot cream, Anti fungal creams or sprays
• Teething/ Mild Toothache – Antiseptic pain relieving gel, clove oil, painkillers
• Threadworms – Mebendazole 100mg tablets
• Travel Sickness – Travel sickness tablets
• Warts and Verrucae – Creams, gels, skin paints and medicated plasters, containing salicylic acid, dimethyl ether propane cold spray