Page 182 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

180 A–Z OF DRUG AND NATURAL REMEDIES

Coal tar preparations Side effects See entries for ingredients.
Common brands Precautions See GENERAL CAUTIONS, p.176.
CREAMS AND LOTIONS: ● Elta Tar ● Oxipor WARNING
● Psoriasin Don’t take remedies containing analgesics with
SHAMPOOS: ● Denorex ● Neutrogena T-Gel other analgesics due to risk of overdose. Don’t take
● Pentrax ● Tegrin remedies containing decongestants if you have taken
BATH ADDITIVES: ● Balnetar Therapeutic Tar Bath MAOI antidepressants in the last 14 days.
● Cutar Water Dispersible Emollientar ● T/Derm
Tar Emollient Corn and blister bandages

Used in conditions such as psoriasis to reduce Common brands
inflammation and scaling. Available as a cream, ● Dr. Scholl’s Cushlin Gel Corn Wraps Non-
lotion, shampoo (see also ANTIDANDRUFF SHAMPOOS, Medicated ● Band-Aid Advanced Healing Blister
p.177), or bath additive. Cushions ● Curad Advanced Blister Care Gel
Bandages
Method of use Apply cream or lotion to
clean skin. Wash hands after use. Add products to a Dressings for blisters contain a substance that
warm bath. Pat skin dry. Use shampoos as directed. absorbs moisture to form a gel that cushions and
Side effects Coal tar can irritate skin protects. Types for corns and calluses also soften
or cause a rash. If this occurs, stop using. hard skin to aid removal. Blister dressings keep skin
moist (helping it heal), and relieve pain and pressure.
Precautions Don’t use on broken skin or
inflamed or infected psoriasis. Avoid eyes and lining Method of use Choose bandage that
of nose and mouth. Avoid exposing skin to sunlight. covers whole area. Leave on until it comes off itself.
Side effects Usually none.
Cold and flu remedies Precautions None.
Common brands
● Actifed Cold and Sinus Caplets (acetaminophen, Cough suppressants
pseudoephedrine, chlorpheniramine maleate,
Common brands
dextromethorphan) ● Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and
● Mucinex DM (guaifenesin, dextromethorphan)
Cough Liqui-Gels (acetaminophen, pseudoephedrine,
● Hold (dextromethorphan) ● Robitussin DM
chlorpheniramine maleate, dextromethorphan)
(guaifenesin, dextromethorphan)
● Tylenol Flu Maximum Day Strength
(acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, Dextromethorphan remedies for a dry, irritating
pseudoephedrine) ● Sudafed Multi-Symptom Cold & cough, not for coughs that produce mucus.
Cough (acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, Suppressants may also contain decongestants, such
guaifensin, pseudoephedrine) as pseudoephedrine (see right).
Method of use Usually liquids. Take as
Help relieve headache, fever, sore throat, cough,
directed; for coughing at night, take at bedtime.
and blocked nose or sinuses. May contain an
analgesic, such as acetaminophen (see p.177), Side effects Dextromethorphan may cause
which also helps reduce fever; a decongestant, dizziness, nausea, or stomach upsets.
such as pseudoephedrine (see p.181), to help Precautions Don’t take with alcohol. If you
unblock nose and sinuses; an antihistamine, are drowsy, don’t drive or use hazardous machinery.
such as chlorpheniramine (see opposite page), Consult doctor before use if you have glaucoma, or
for a runny nose; cough suppressants, such as prostate, kidney, or liver problems. See also GENERAL
dextromethorphan (see p.180); and expectorants, CAUTIONS, p.176.
such as guaifenesin. WARNING
Method of use Available as pills, liquid, Don’t take remedies containing decongestants if you
or soluble powders. have taken MAOI antidepressants in the last 14 days.