14 Affordable Medicines for Common Ailments: A Guide to Treating Pain, Colds, and More

Many “good medicines” that solve everyday diseases are affordable but have clear results, covering many fields such as infection, pain, and digestion. These drugs have been clinically proven to accurately relieve discomfort for specific conditions, and the key is “symptomatic selection”. Here is a summary of the preferred affordable drugs and usage for 14 diseases to help you deal scientifically with common health problems.

1. 14 kinds of diseases and corresponding affordable drugs, symptomatic medication is the core

The symptoms and causes of different diseases are different, and drugs need to be matched according to typical manifestations to ensure both effectiveness and avoid waste:

– Urinary tract infection (frequent urination, urgency, dysuria)

Typical manifestations: burning pain in the urethra during urination, frequent urination (once every few minutes), urgency (cannot hold back urine), turbid urine and occasional pyrexia (body temperature ＜38℃).

Drug of choice: Levofloxacin hydrochloride tablets (ordinary dosage form)

Efficacy: Inhibits bacterial reproduction and targets common urinary tract infection pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli.

Usage: 0.2 g each time, 2 times a day, after meals; take continuously for 7-10 days (do not stop the medicine on your own to prevent recurrence).

Note: Drink more than 2000 ml of warm water daily (increase urination, flush the urethra); avoid spicy and alcohol (reduce urethral irritation).

– Common cold (stuffy nose, runny nose, headache)

Typical manifestations: nasal congestion and runny nose in the early stage, with slight discomfort in the throat, possible low fever (＜37.5℃), headache, muscle aches in the later stage, no obvious cough and sputum.

Preferred medicine: Combined Aminophenamine Tablets

Efficacy: Relieves cold symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose, contains antiviral ingredients to reduce viral replication.

Usage: 1 tablet each time, 2 times a day, after meals; take continuously for 3-5 days (stop when symptoms are relieved).

Note: Avoid driving and operating precision instruments while taking the medicine (may have somnolence side effects); avoid repeated use of other combined cold medicines (to prevent overdose of ingredients).

– Acute gastroenteritis (diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting)

Typical manifestations: sudden abdominal pain (paroxysmal), diarrhoea (watery stool, more than 3 times a day), accompanied by nausea and vomiting, no mucus, pus and bloody stool after eating raw, cold/unclean food.

Preferred medicine: norfloxacin capsules + montmorillonite powder

Efficacy: Norfloxacin fights intestinal bacteria, montmorillonite powder adsorbs intestinal toxins and protects mucous membranes.

Usage: Norfloxacin 0.4 g each time, 2 times daily; Montmorillonite powder 3 g each time, 3 times daily (the two medicines are separated by 1 hour to avoid mutual influence).

Note: Drink oral rehydration salts (to prevent dehydration) when diarrhea is severe; temporarily fast greasy, raw and cold foods (to reduce gastrointestinal burden).

– Mouth ulcers (pain in the oral mucosa)

Typical manifestations: Round ulcers in the mouth (white in the center and red around), tingling when eating and talking, self-healing in 1-2 weeks, staying up late and getting angry can easily induce.

Preferred medicine: Watermelon Cream Spray

Efficacy: clears away heat and purges fire, reduces swelling and relieves pain, and promotes repair of ulcer mucosa.

Usage: Spray 1-2 times each time on the ulcer, 3-4 times a day (do not drink water for half an hour after spraying, maintain the efficacy of the medicine).

Note: Avoid spicy and over-hot foods (to prevent irritation of ulcers); eat more kiwi fruit and oranges (to supplement vitamin C to assist healing).

– Migraine (unilateral pulsating pain in the head)

Typical manifestations: Unilateral temple/retraorbital pain (jumping pain), accompanied by nausea and photophobia, lasting 4-72 hours each time, high stress and staying up late can easily induce.

Preferred medicine: Ibuprofen prolonged-release capsules

Efficacy: Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, provides rapid relief from mild to moderate pain, and the effect lasts for 12 hours.

Usage: 0.3 g each time, to be taken at the onset of pain (no more than 2 times a day, 12 hours apart).

Note: Bed rest in case of pain (keep the environment quiet and dim); avoid long-term dependence (take no more than 10 times a month).

– Allergic rhinitis (stuffy nose, itchy nose, sneezing)

Typical manifestations: After contact with pollen and dust mites, sudden nasal congestion, runny nose, continuous sneezing (more than 3 per session), itchy nose, itchy eyes, no fever.

Preferred medicine: Loratadine tablets

Efficacy: Blocks histamine action and relieves congestion and itching of nasal mucosa caused by allergies.

Usage: 10 mg each time, once a day, before going to bed (reduce the effects of daytime sleepiness); during allergy season, it can be taken 3 days in advance (prevent attacks).

Note: Avoid contact with allergens (such as wearing a mask during pollen season, cleaning bedding regularly to remove mites); wash your nose with saline (once a day, flush your nasal allergens).

– athlete’s foot (fungal infection type, peeling, blisters)

Typical manifestations: peeling between the toes (especially between the 3rd-4th and 4th-5th toes), or small blisters (with itching), which may erode and ooze after scratching and worsen in summer.

Preferred medicine: Miconazole nitrate cream

Efficacy: Inhibits fungal cell membrane synthesis and kills fungi on the skin surface.

Usage: 2 times a day, apply a small amount to the affected area (the range is 1 cm beyond the peeling/blister area) and keep using it for 4 weeks (even if the symptoms disappear, it needs to be consolidated to prevent recurrence).

Note: Keep your feet dry (penetrate breathable cotton socks, change shoes frequently); do not share slippers and foot basins with others (prevent cross-infection).

– Dysmenorrhea (lower abdominal pain during menstruation)

Typical manifestations: 1-2 days before the onset of menstruation to the 2nd day of menstruation, lower abdominal pain (swelling or tingling), accompanied by backache, in severe cases cold sweat and fatigue, relieved after menstruation.

Preferred medicine: Naproxen tablets

Efficacy: Inhibits prostaglandins, relieves uterine smooth muscle spasms, and has better pain relief than ordinary painkillers.

Usage: 0.2 g each time, to be taken at the onset of pain (no more than 3 times a day, 6 hours apart); it can also be taken starting 1 day before (to prevent pain).

Note: Avoid raw and cold foods during menstruation; apply hot compress to the lower abdomen in case of abdominal pain (20 minutes each time to promote blood circulation).

– Chronic pharyngitis (dry and itchy throat, foreign body sensation)

Typical manifestations: long-term dry and itchy throat (like dust), foreign body sensation (cannot cough, cannot swallow), easy nausea when brushing teeth in the morning, worsening symptoms after talking a lot, no fever.

Preferred medicine: Pharyngitis tablets

Efficacy: Nourishes yin and moisturizes the lungs, clears away heat and detoxifies, relieves chronic inflammation of the throat mucosa.

Usage: 5 tablets each time, 3 times a day, after meals; take continuously for 2-3 weeks (chronic pharyngitis requires long-term conditioning).

Note: Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and spicy foods; avoid excessive use of your voice (rest for 10 minutes every hour you speak).

– Constipation (difficulty defecating, dry stools)

Typical manifestations: defecation ＜3 times a week, dry and hard stools (in the form of lumps), laborious bowel movements (more than 10 minutes each time), abdominal distension, no abdominal pain, blood in the stool.

Preferred medicine: Lactulose oral solution (ordinary concentration)

Efficacy: Increases intestinal moisture, softens stools, promotes intestinal motility, is mild and non-irritating.

Usage: 15 ml each time, once a day, after breakfast; adjust the dose according to defecation (can be reduced to 10 ml after the stool becomes soft).

Note: Drink 1.5-2 L of warm water daily (with medicine to soften stools); eat more crude fiber foods such as celery and oats (to promote defecation).

– Mosquito bites (red, swollen, itchy skin)

Typical manifestations: small local red papules (with intense itching) after being bitten by mosquitoes, which may be aggravated by redness and swelling or even small blisters after scratching.

Preferred medicine: Calamine lotion

Efficacy: astringent, anti-itch, quick relief of skin itching with slight redness and swelling, non-irritating.

Usage: Shake well and apply to the affected area with a cotton swab dipped in it, 3-4 times a day (avoid the damaged area of the skin).

Note: Avoid scratching (to prevent skin breakage and infection); when the bite is severe, it can be combined with oral administration of loratadine (to enhance the anti-itch effect).

– Mild scald (red, swollen, painful skin)

Typical manifestations: Redness and swelling of the skin (no blisters) with burning pain after exposure to hot water/hot oil, area ＜1% body surface area (such as palm size).

Preferred medicine: moist burn paste

Efficacy: clears away heat and detoxifies, relieves pain, builds muscle, protects wounds and promotes skin repair.

Usage: After cleansing the wound with saline, apply a thin ointment (thickness ＜1 mm) three times a day until the wound heals.

Note: Rinse with cold water for 15-20 minutes immediately after scalding (to cool down and relieve pain); avoid applying toothpaste, soy sauce, etc. to the wound (to prevent infection).

– Gingivitis (red and swollen gums, bleeding)

Typical manifestations: bleeding gums (bright red) when brushing and biting hard objects, red and swollen gums (painful touching), odour in the mouth, no loose teeth.

Preferred medicine: Metronidazole containing gargle

Efficacy: Suppress oral anaerobic bacteria, reduce gum inflammation, reduce bleeding and odor.

Usage: 10 ml each time, after 1-2 minutes of gargling, spit it out, 3 times a day, use after meals; gargle continuously for 7 days.

Note: Brush your teeth carefully in the morning and evening (3 minutes each time), use floss to clean between your teeth; wash your teeth regularly (once every six months to remove plaque).

– Dyspepsia (abdominal distension, belching, loss of appetite)

Typical manifestations: abdominal distension after meals (lasting 1-2 hours), frequent belching, loss of appetite (1/3 less than usual), no abdominal pain, vomiting, aggravated by emotional tension.

Preferred medicine: Domperidone tablets

Efficacy: Promotes gastrointestinal motility, accelerates gastric emptying, relieves abdominal distension and belching after meals.

Usage: 10 mg each time, 3 times a day, 15-30 minutes before meals; take not more than 7 days continuously (stop when symptoms are relieved).

Note: Eat less gas-prone foods such as glutinous rice and sweet potatoes; take a 10-minute walk after meals (to assist gastrointestinal motility).

2. “Signals that the drug is effective indicate improvement of symptoms”

After 1-3 days of regular medication, the appearance of these changes indicates that the medication is symptomatic:

1. Pain/discomfort relief: such as urinary tract infection decreased painful urination, migraine stopped, dysmenorrhea relieved; itching symptoms (such as athlete’s foot, mosquito bites) were significantly reduced and scratching was no longer frequent.

2. Functional recovery: for example, cold and stuffy nose and runny nose are reduced, and they can breathe normally; constipated people have smooth bowel movements (softening of stools and shortening of bowel movement time); indigestible people have abdominal distension that disappears after meals and their appetite is restored.

If, after 3-5 days of medication, symptoms do not improve (such as diarrhea still frequent, pain aggravated by oral ulcers), or new symptoms occur (such as blood in the stool, high fever, difficulty breathing), seek medical attention promptly (to rule out serious illness).

3. Uncomfortable medication? Dispose of it as such

– Slight discomfort (common reactions): mild stomach discomfort after taking ibuprofen and naproxen, which can be relieved by taking it after meals; slight drowsiness after oral administration of loratadine, just avoid driving during the day.

– Obvious discomfort (need to be vigilant): rash, itching (may be allergic) after taking the medicine, stop the medicine immediately and wash it; severe diarrhea (may be dysbiosis) after taking norfloxacin, stop the medicine and take probiotics (such as bifidobacteria), seek medical attention promptly.

4. Medication courses and precautions

– Effective time: It is effective in relieving pain (such as migraine, dysmenorrhea) and itching (such as mosquito bites) for 30 minutes to 1 hour; it takes 1-2 days to improve infection (such as urinary tract infection, athlete’s foot) and chronic symptoms (such as pharyngitis).

– Course recommendations:

– Acute diseases (such as colds, acute gastroenteritis): the drug can be stopped (usually 3-5 days) after the symptoms are relieved and consolidated for 1 day;

– Chronic diseases/infections (such as athlete’s foot, urinary tract infection): need to be taken according to the course of treatment (such as athlete’s foot for 4 weeks, urinary tract infection for 7-10 days) to avoid recurrence caused by stopping the drug without authorization.

5. Keep these taboos in mind and avoid making mistakes

– Core principles: Prescription drugs (such as levofloxacin, norfloxacin) must be used as directed by the doctor (contraindicated for children and pregnant women); those with allergies should check the ingredients before taking the drug (for example, those allergic to sulfonamides should not use certain antidiarrheal drugs); Do not increase or decrease the dose at will (for example, excessive ibuprofen may damage the stomach).

– Special groups: Pregnant women are prohibited from using drugs that activate blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and cause teratogenic risks (such as naproxen and levofloxacin); lactating women need to suspend breastfeeding (consult a doctor); those with liver and kidney insufficiency should use drugs that are metabolized by the liver and kidneys with caution (such as Loratadine, domperidone).

– Avoid wrong combinations: similar drugs are not used in combination (such as compound aminoacetamol tablets + ibuprofen, both contain antipyretic ingredients and are prone to overdose); antibiotics (such as norfloxacin) are not taken with probiotics (2 hours apart, Prevent antibiotics from killing probiotics).

6. Do 2 things well to assist in disease recovery

1. Life care: ensure adequate sleep during illness (7-8 hours a night to help with immunity recovery); pay attention to personal hygiene (such as urinary tract infection, change underwear frequently, athlete’s foot to keep feet dry); avoid overwork (reduce body burden).

2. Dietary conditioning: Infectious diseases (such as colds, urinary tract infections) eat more light, high-protein foods (such as eggs, lean meat, to increase resistance); Digestive system diseases (such as gastroenteritis, indigestion) eat soft and rotten foods (such as millet porridge, noodles); Painful/inflammatory diseases (such as pharyngitis, gingivitis) avoid spicy and irritating foods.

Affordable drugs are not “poorly effective”, the key is “symptomatic”. You need to clarify your own symptoms before using daily medicines. If you are not sure about the cause, it is recommended to consult a doctor or pharmacist first to avoid blindly using medicines to delay the condition. At the same time, the family medicine boxes are regularly organized and expired medicines are cleaned up in a timely manner to ensure the safety of medication.