Dextromethorphan is a cough medication used to relieve dry and tickly coughs. You can buy it from your pharmacy either on its own or in combination with other medications for colds and flu. There are various products available. Examples include Robitussin and Benylin Dry Cough Medicines, Night Nurse, and many others.

Discover the effectiveness and considerations surrounding decongestants, vital medications employed to alleviate temporary nasal congestion. This comprehensive article, delves into the treatment, mechanisms of action, appropriate usage, contraindications, potential interactions, and side effects associated with decongestants. Providing Relief from Nasal Congestion Decongestants serve as a short-term solution for individuals experiencing nasal congestion caused by various factors such as colds, flu, sinusitis, and allergies like hay fever. Well-known examples of decongestants include pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, and ipratropium bromide. These medications are readily available over-the-counter at pharmacies. Different formulations, including tablets, capsules, oral liquids, nasal sprays, nasal drops, and powders, are accessible to meet individual needs. It is important to note that only one decongestant product should be used at a time.

Champix is a medicine containing varenicline – known as a selective nicotine-receptor partial agonist –that can help you in the initial stages of quitting smoking, as you suffer nicotine withdrawal effects and cravings. To have the best chance of quitting smoking completely, many people use the NHS Stop Smoking services which are free and which provide prescriptions for stop smoking aids, including Champix, and also help you find strategies to break the habit of smoking. Together, you will set a stop-smoking date, and they will help you prepare for that. All the evidence is that you have the best chance of quitting smoking through a combination of psychological support and medication such as Champix. How does Champix work? Champix acts on the nicotine receptors in the brain by blocking nicotine from having its effect, breaking the pleasure-reward association of smoking whilst at the same reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This all works towards reducing the pleasurable effects of smoking and nicotine. At the same time it allows a tiny amount of dopamine to be released in the brain (the ‘feel good’ chemical that smoking can trigger) and so helps to reduce any craving for a cigarette. This then breaks the cycle of wanting to smoke again, and avoids feelings of depression or irritability that can accompany nicotine cravings, and any difficulty sleeping.

Champix is a product containing varenicline, a medicine to help you in the initial stages of quitting smoking. Champix acts on the nicotine receptors in the brain, but doesn't reward you with dopamine, the feel-good hormone that nicotine produces. It therefore blocks nicotine from having its effect, breaking that pleasure-reward association, whilst at the same reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This all works towards reducing the pleasurable effects of smoking and nicotine. This hopefully breaks the cycle to urge you to smoke again, and avoids feelings of depression, irritability and sleeplessness that can accompany nicotine cravings. For the maximum chance of success, most people prefer to engage the NHS Stop Smoking service, which is free and will provide prescriptions for stop smoking aids, including Champix, and help you find strategies to break the behavioural habit of smoking. Together you will set a stop smoking date, and they will help you prepare for that.

Canesten bifonazole cream is an over-the-counter medication used to treat athlete’s foot (also known as tinea pedis). Athlete's foot is a common fungal skin infection that typically causes an itchy, cracked skin rash between the toes, which can sometimes spread to the soles of your feet. The rash usually has clear edges that can form a ring-like pattern and can affect one or both of your feet. Many over-the-counter treatments for athlete’s foot must be applied at least twice a day, which can be inconvenient. However, Canesten Bifonazole cream only needs to be applied once a day.

These are creams used to treat fungal infections. The creams are mainly used for skin and nail infections, whereas tablets are usually used for more widespread skin and internal infections. Different antifungal creams are used for different types of skin, vaginal or nail infections. The Healthwords team will explain some of them in detail, and their different uses.

Determining the best antifungal cream involves considering which option is most suitable for treating your specific infection. While there are broad-spectrum antifungals available, they often require medical monitoring and may not be necessary when an over-the-counter cream can provide equally effective results. Antifungal creams are commonly used to treat skin, vaginal, or nail infections, targeting mild fungal infections. Creams are primarily employed for skin and nail infections, while tablets are typically reserved for more widespread and complex skin and internal infections. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the details of different antifungal creams, their varied applications, and associated benefits.

Bazuka gel is a verruca, wart, corn and callus treatment gel. These conditions are very common, especially in children, and fortunately, are not harmful. They usually resolve independently without treatment, but certain products can speed up this process. The ingredients in Bazuka gel, salicylic acid and lactic acid, work by gently removing the affected skin tissue, helping to eliminate the virus and excessive skin.

Athlete’s foot (also known as tinea pedis) is a fungal skin infection affecting the feet. Symptoms usually include a rash in between the toes that can sometimes spread to the soles of your feet. The rash is typically red, sore, and itchy and has clear edges that can form a ring-like pattern. Athlete’s foot can affect one or both of your feet. Fungi called dermatophytes are responsible for athlete’s foot. They usually live harmlessly on our skin, however when exposed to a warm, moist environment, they can multiply and invade the skin.

Anusol is a medication used in the treatment of haemorrhoids (also known as piles) and works to soothe the symptoms of discomfort and itchiness. It comes in three formulations which are cream, ointment and suppositories. Anusol also comes in a formulation containing hydrocortisone, a mild steroid with anti-inflammatory properties. The hydrocortisone-containing versions are named Anusol Plus HC and Anusol Soothing Relief.

All Anusol products are used to treat haemorrhoids but vary in their formulations. Both Anusol cream and ointment contain the same active ingredients (zinc oxide, balsam of Peru, bismuth oxide). Here we'll take you through the differences so you can choose an option that suits you. Similar products include Germoloids for piles.

These are antifungal tablets, taken by mouth to treat fungal infections. These can be prescribed by a doctor when topical (creams and washes) antifungals are not helping to clear up the infection. In certain cases, if the infection is severe or widespread or internal, then oral antifungals may be prescribed first by your doctor. There are a number of groups of antifungal tablets ranging from ones available over the counter to those requiring specialist prescribing. These are known as the Triazole, Imidazole, Polyene, Echinocandin and other antifungals.