Medicine Safety
What Do I Need to Buy or Prepare for COVID-19 Quarantine & Isolation?
The awful body ache that woke me up at 5am triggered me to do another round of RTK testing. I had some scratchy throat on the day before but all 4 tests done on that day were negative.
The first thing I did in the morning was to text my pharmacist colleagues to send me the items I need. I prepared a list of items that I might need for 7 days of isolation. Yet, the next few days would prove that even as a pharmacist myself, I would miss out a few medications. Well, my whole body was twisting in pain and my head pulsing. I just could not think straight.
Make Sure You Are Well Prepared
It was the third midnight after I tested positive. My sleep was disturbed by a bad sore throat. At that moment, I was so thankful that I bought a sore throat spray just in case. The throat was just scratchy for the first two days and I was sure that my throat would improve over time. I was wrong. That night would have been excruciating if not because of the sore throat spray I prepared.
The same thing happened on the fourth night, but it was a bad nose block instead. Luckily, I had decongestant nose sprays with me.
I missed out medication for phlegm and runny nose. I had some leftover runny nose medication but not phlegm medication. Too tired and too lazy to order, I braved through the remaining days without it. That was not a pleasant experience.
I am writing this, hoping none would be sitting on their bed at midnight, regretting not preparing certain medications. The key to buying medications for COVID-19 patients is not what symptoms the patient is having but what medications the patient might need.
The List
- Runny nose medication
Antihistamines such as Chlorpheniramine, Loratadine or Desloratadine are very helpful with a runny nose. If you prefer something that is drowsy, you may get some Chlorpheniramine tablets. If you want non-drowsy ones, you may go with Loratadine, Desloratadine or Fexofenadine.
- Fever medication
Paracetamol is always the first choice and the safest choice when it comes to antipyretics.
- Decongestant nose spray
I specify nose spray because I do not recommend decongestant pills. Tablets which contain pseudoephedrine can alleviate nose block but they might affect your sleep. Decongestant nose sprays have very limited systemic absorption (very low amount reaches your blood) which makes them a better pick.
- Cough medication
Pholcodine or dextromethorphan help in reducing cough
- Phlegm medication
N-Acetylcysteine, carbocisteine or ambroxol
- Sore throat medication
Throat sprays or lozenges containing benzydamine are effective in reducing pain in the throat. I would recommend spray over lozenge as it is more feasible to take a few sprays and continue with your sleep. The last thing you need during the isolation is having to sit upright for minutes to wait for the lozenge to dissolve in your mouth.
- Vitamins
Other than the basic Vitamin C and Vitamin D, supplements such as elderberry, echinacea and tiger milk mushroom are widely used. Elderberry has good immune boosting properties while tiger milk mushroom has been commonly used as a lung tonic.
Remember, before getting any medications or supplements, always ask your pharmacist first! The list is to serve as a general guide but you still need to consult your pharmacist. The list above is not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding ladies.
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