Over the Counter Medication
Inver Surgery promotes self care and in line with the NI Department of Health from 1st October 2023 this practice will no longer prescribe medicines that can be purchased over the counter by patients when they are being used to treat minor conditions, self limiting illnesses or is there is no evidence base for their use. Click here for more information.
The below medication below will no longer be prescribed from 1st October 2023
Painkillers – Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Co-codamol 8/500mg
Sore throat sprays/rinses – Difflam
Conjunctivitis – Chloramphenicol eye drops/ointment (see GP if <2 years)
Decongestants – Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), Xylometazoline (Otrivine)
Cough bottles – Pholcodeine, Codeine linctus
Creams (for mild dry skin) – Cetraben, E45, Diprobase, Aveeno, Hydrocortisone
Dandruff shampoo – Ketoconazole (Nizoral), Coal Tar (Polytar, T-gel)
Hay fever (mild-moderate) – Loratadine (Clarityn), Cetirizine (Piriteze), Chlorphenamine (Piriton), Mometasone nasal spray (Nasonex), Fluticasone nasal spray (Pirinase), Sodium Cromoglicaate eye drops (Optrex)
Diarrhoea – Loperamide (Immodium), Dioralyte = Pharmacy First
Dry/Sore/Tired eyes – Eye masks/compress, Hypromellose, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hylotears, Hyloforte, Systane, Viscotears)
Mouth ulcers – Mouthwashes or gels (Corsodyl, Bonjela, Orajel) = Pharmacy First
Earwax – Olive oil, Sodium Bicarbonate, Urea hydrogen peroxide (Otex) = Pharmacy First
Nappy rash – Titanium dioxide (Metanium), Sudocrem
Colic – Simeticone (Infacol), Gripe water, Lactase (Colief)
Cold sores (infrequent) – Aciclovir cream (Zovirax)
Constipation (short term, infrequent) – Senna (Senokot), Docusate (Dioctyl, DocuEase), Sodium Picosulfate (Dulcolax), Lactulose, Fybogel
Migraine (infrequent) – Painkillers (Migraleve), or Sumatriptan (Migratain, Imigran)
Threadworms – Mebendazole (Ovex) (see GP if <1 year)
Bites & Stings – Antihistamines (see hay fever), Hydrocortisone cream
Warts & Verrucae - Salicylic acid (Bazuka) = Pharmacy First service
Haemorrhoids (piles) – Creams and suppositories (Anusol, Germoloids), see Constipation = Pharmacy First
Oral thrush – Miconazole (Daktarin), Mouthwash (Corsodyl) = Pharmacy First
Head lice – Dimethicone, Hedrin, Full Marks = Pharmacy First
Indigestion & Heartburn – Gaviscon, Peptac, Omeprazole/Esomeprazole (short term)
Athletes foot – Terbinafine (Lamisil), Miconazole (Daktarin), Clotrimazole (Canesten) = Pharmacy First
Vaginal thrush – Fluconazole, Clotrimazole (Canesten creams, pessaries) = Pharmacy First
Acne (mild) – Benzoyl peroxide gel (Acnecide) = Pharmacy First
Scabies - Permethrin cream (Lyclear), Malathion aqueous (Derbac M) = Pharmacy First