While you’re stocking up your pantry with all the groceries, you will need ahead of the upcoming winters, and you should also stock up your medicine cabinet with the best medicine for the common cold and flu and other must-haves. Right from compounded medication to other prescriptions as well as consultation guidance, there’s plenty to factor in while you’re replenishing your supplies for the dreaded cold and flu season. Don’t fret! Instead, make a list of medicines that you need and stock up at the earliest! 

Here’s a checklist of medicine cabinet must-haves 

• Antihistamine and Pseudoephedrine – There are numerous brands, including Allegra-D, Claritin-D, Zyrtec-D, and generics which may help in clearing up nasal congestion and runny nose syndrome along with assisting in drainage. If you have heart ailments or high blood pressure, get consulted medicines that suit your needs in this regard. Have a word with your pharmacist or doctor before stocking up on these. They require prescriptions for purchase. 
• Nasal spray – You should check out nasal sprays to get relief from allergies and congestion. It is best to keep them in an easily accessible place in your medical cabinet before the beginning of the cold and flu season. They are ideal for those who cannot effectively use decongestants owing to prior health issues or conditions. 
• Sore Throat Lozenges – There are tons of brands offering cough drops that come with vital elements to numb your throat while giving you much-needed relief from internal soreness and overall irritation. 
• Mucinex – Don’t use someone else’s prescription is always the motto. If your doctor recommends it, then have Mucinex installed in your medicine cabinet this season. The key active ingredient here is guaifenesin which is an expectorant that enables the clearing of mucus trapped within the lungs. You can consume this after consulting with your doctor to help get rid of phlegm that is stubborn. 
• Children’s Dimetapp – If you have children living with you, this one comes quite handy. With multiple formulations in store, you should have at least a basic Cold & Allergy medicine with an antihistamine and decongestant, which is approved for usage in the case of children older than six years of age. 
• Nasal Strips – Nasal strips are also ideal as a part of your medicine cabinet inventory. These strips can neatly fit over your nose bridge and also enhance overall airflow into the nasal passages. They are ideal for people with chronic congestion of the nose and also work to relieve flu/cold-related congestion accordingly. 
• Saline Nasal Spray – This nasal spray will help in moistening nasal passages when they start drying out due to the usage of decongestants, making it a nifty item for usage at home. Saline spray is non-medicated and may be used comfortably without any hassles. 
• Afrin Nasal Spray – Take your doctor’s advice before using Afrin Nasal Spray, which contains Oxymetazoline. This active ingredient helps in powerfully decongesting sinus blockage, offering relief in minutes, and lasting up to several hours. However, the usage of this medicine is limited to just 3 days. Use it sparingly and only if you have severe congestion. 
• Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu – This can be used at bedtime if your cough and cold are giving you sleepless nights. This product comes with the decongestant, cough suppressant, sedating antihistamine, and Tylenol (acetaminophen), thereby ticking all the boxes for getting you a good night’s rest. 
• Tissues – Your medicine cabinet should have a proper stock of tissues. Discard used tissues and reach for fresh ones every time you cough or blow your nose to avoid reinfecting yourself. Have tissues placed in your home medicine cabinet? Have backup tissue supplies at hand as well. Apart from wiping and blowing your nose, tissues are always handy for other diverse reasons. Get a few travel packs in the car and a couple for your purse as well. 

You should preferably have an inventory and a checklist before heading to the drug store for stocking up on winter medicine essentials. Always discard expired medicines but be sure to consult the local pharmacy or waste management service regarding disposal initiatives and guidelines. Post clearing out older medicines, make a list of what you actually need to purchase. You should always consult with your doctor if you are not sure or unaware about any particular medicine for any specific ailment. Also, make sure that you have fever and pain relief medicines stocked at home along with medicines for stomach upsets, headaches, cough, cold and flu, and other basics. You should also use nasal sprays cautiously. Although they are highly effective at lowering nasal congestion levels, you should follow instructions properly. Using them for a time period that is longer than recommended may lead to worsening symptoms. Children should refrain from using these. The saline nasal spray is affordable and highly effective as an alternative. Suction bulbs help in removing mucus for little children and infants.