By Candice Lombardi
Cold and flu season has arrived with a bang, and New York has been hit especially hard this year.
A surge in reported flu cases — many linked to a new strain of the flu A virus — has made this winter particularly challenging. After recovering from a tough bout of flu A myself, I began thinking about which medications are essential to have at home. To find out, I turned to local Rye pharmacists for expert advice on how to prepare a winter-ready medicine cabinet.
Rye Beach Pharmacy pharmacist Annette Hoban recommends that every household have both a fever reducer and a pain reliever on hand.
“Acetaminophen, like Tylenol, is generally easier on the stomach than medications such as Advil or Motrin,” she said. Advil and Motrin are anti-inflammatory medications that tend to last longer in the body, meaning fewer doses may be needed. For that reason, Hoban recommends having both available.
Menthol chest rubs such as Vicks VapoRub, saline nasal spray for congestion, and sore throat lozenges with pectin, which help soothe scratchy throats during cold and flu season, are essential to have on hand, Hoban said.
Also essential: Getting a good night’s sleep — especially when coughing keeps you awake. Hoban recommends 12-hour cough medications such as Delsym or Mucinex DM, which help suppress coughing overnight and allow the body to rest.
For those who take supplements like vitamin C or zinc, Hoban advises splitting the daily dose to improve absorption and reduce stomach irritation.
“The body can only absorb so much at one time,” she noted, adding that mega-doses offer no added benefit. Vitamin supplements are best absorbed when taken with food, and a diet rich in citrus fruits during the winter months can be just as effective.
When you’re sick, your body is more vulnerable to dehydration, so having electrolytes on hand to replenish lost fluids will help — especially for children. Hoban recommends Pedialyte ice pops, which she said often appeal to kids more than the liquid version.
“We keep boxes in our freezer at the pharmacy so parents can use them right away without having to wait for them to freeze,” she said. Ice pops are also a better option than sports drinks, which can be high in sugar. And while you might not keep this in your medicine chest, Hoban said classic remedies like chicken soup and bone broth remain excellent ways to stay hydrated when you’re under the weather.
Local Rye CVS pharmacist Amanda Grabina said congestion caused by colds or the flu can be relieved quickly with Afrin nasal spray. But don’t use it for more than three days.
“Overuse can lead to rebound congestion that’s difficult to resolve,” she said. Antihistamines such as Allegra or Zyrtec can combat stuffy noses, as well as Benadryl, which is important for treating allergic reactions, Grabina said. Basic first-aid supplies — including Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, and hydrocortisone cream — should also be part of every medicine cabinet, she added.
Both pharmacists agree that keeping combo COVID/flu self-test kits at home is increasingly important. Because symptoms of colds, flu, and COVID often overlap, these tests allow families to check at home and take appropriate steps for treatment and isolation. Hoban said the kits are especially helpful for parents deciding whether it’s safe to send a child to school.
Finally, once your cabinet is stocked with all you need, don’t forget to periodically check expiration dates on all medications. Hoban said it’s a good habit to check them at the start of the school year — before cold and flu season begins. Medications should not be stored in humid bathrooms; instead, they should be kept in their original, child-safe containers on a high kitchen shelf or in a cool, dry place.
