Medicine cabinet Rx

You know this moment: standing in front of your medicine cabinet, fighting back another coughing spasm while holding a tissue to your running nose and contemplating a) whether the cough syrup that expired 10/07 is still safe; b) if you can take both cold pills and aspirin at once; or c) why there's nothing in here except Band-Aids, dental floss and little bars of filched hotel soap.

It's spring cleaning season, but one of the more overlooked jobs is making sure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked and up-to-date. We asked Dr. Sally Kline, a family practitioner at Park Nicollet Clinic in Eden Prairie, to walk us through the task.

Tip One: The classic bathroom medicine cabinet is about the worst place to keep many medicines. The variable levels of heat and humidity can wreak havoc on potency. "It doesn't make them dangerous, just not as effective," Kline said. "The best place for you to store things is in some sort of plastic container in your kitchen. It makes sense because many medicines need to be taken with food." In any case, she added, store medicines in a place that can be locked if there are young children in the household.

Tip Two: Expiration dates are real, but there is a fudge factor. "The drug companies really mean it" when they note a date, she said. It's a liability issue for them, although many pharmacists say most drugs are good for a year past the date if they've been properly stored. "If they don't look crushed or altered in any way, they're probably all right," Kline said. "But if you're at all uncertain, buy new." For one thing, ingesting outdated meds may be a waste of time. "Again, they're not dangerous, just not as effective."

Tip Three: When disposing of old drugs, ask if your pharmacy is willing to accept and dispose of expired medications. Otherwise, the best place is in the trash, with some preparation. Crush old tablets and add some water to the original childproof container, making them unusable. Seal any containers or bottles in boxes or plastic bags, or hazardous-waste bags. Don't ever flush medications because they can contaminate the water supply.

Kim Ode • 612-673-7185

• Antihistamine for allergic reactions. Common brand names are Benadryl or Claritin, or the generics diphenhydramine or loratadine.

• Bacitracin ointment for the topical treatment of localized skin and eye infections, because people typically have no adverse reaction to it. Neosporin can cause an allergic reaction for those with sensitive skin.

• A good digital thermometer (expect to spend around $20).

• Bandages in various sizes, antiseptic or alcohol wipes, an ace compression bandage for muscle strains and sprains, sterile gauze pads for larger cuts and scrapes, and adhesive tape.

• Instant cold packs that you squeeze to activate; usable even if the power goes off.

• A good first aid kit that includes a first aid manual, tweezers, eye patches, sterile saline solution, antiseptic or alcohol wipes, athletic tape, various gauze pads and adhesive tape, scissors, aloe gel (with no added ingredients) to reduce inflammation and soothe burns, calamine lotion in case of poison ivy, meat tenderizer in case of bee stings, and 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to ease inflammation and skin conditions.

• Diaper rash cream with zinc oxide is useful for easing skin irritation such as hemorrhoids or vaginal yeast infections until you can see a doctor.

• Anti-fungal cream for athlete's foot or jock itch.

• A basic antacid in chewable or liquid form, such as milk of magnesia.

• Kaopectate or imodium for diarrhea.

• To rehydrate after vomiting (after not vomiting for at least one hour), make a solution of 1 tsp. salt, 8 tsp. sugar, 5 cups of water and an ounce or two of orange juice to restore potassium.

• Nasal saltwater solution with an irrigating system such as a Neti pot. Kline said most respiratory illnesses can be avoided or their duration shortened by timely use of saltwater cleansing.

• Expectorant or cough suppressant.

• Honey can soothe sore throats and ease coughs for anyone over age 1; for babies, honey carries a risk of infant botulism.

• Chewable aspirin -- for adult use. "When people call with symptoms of a heart attack, the first thing we tell them is to take four baby aspirin."

• Children 17 years and under should never ingest aspirin because of the risk of Reyes syndrome, a brain-swelling disease.