Guide
Home medicine cabinet — what to keep at home
Prepared by the LekCheck team · Last reviewed: 2026-07-25 · How we create our content
A well-organised home medicine cabinet helps you respond calmly to mild, common complaints — pain, fever, stomach upsets, small wounds. Below is a practical list of the most commonly useful items; choose an ingredient to see available products and prices. Match the contents to your household (children, older people, chronic conditions) and don't forget your personal prescription medicines.
This guide was prepared by the LekCheck team and has not been reviewed by a doctor or pharmacist. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not start, stop, or change any treatment without consulting a doctor or pharmacist.
Pain, fever and stomach
The base usually includes a pain and fever remedy (e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen), something for heartburn (e.g. famotidine), and a remedy for acute diarrhoea plus electrolyte sachets for rehydration. Keep children's forms if there are children at home, and follow the recommended doses.
Wounds, allergy and skin
For small injuries, an antiseptic (e.g. povidone-iodine), plasters, sterile dressings and a bandage are useful, while dexpanthenol helps with irritated skin and minor burns. An antihistamine (e.g. cetirizine) is handy for an allergic reaction or itching. A thermometer, scissors and gloves are useful too.
Storage and organisation
Keep the cabinet in a cool, dry, dark place out of children's reach. Keep medicines in their original packaging with the leaflets and check expiry dates periodically, replacing expired ones. Do not mix different tablets in one box — that loses the dose and expiry information.
When the cabinet is not enough
A home medicine cabinet is for mild, self-limiting complaints. For a high or persistent fever, severe pain, difficulty breathing, dehydration, symptoms in a small child, pregnancy or a chronic condition, turn to a doctor or pharmacist rather than relying on over-the-counter remedies alone.
Commonly used active ingredients
Pick an ingredient to see products and prices.
Frequently asked questions
What should every home medicine cabinet have?
A practical base includes a pain and fever remedy, something for heartburn, a diarrhoea remedy and electrolyte sachets, an antiseptic, plasters and dressings, an antihistamine, a thermometer, and your personal prescription medicines. Match the list to your household.
How often should I check the cabinet?
It is good to review the cabinet at least twice a year and after every illness — check expiry dates, replace what you have used up, and throw out expired or changed-looking products. Also check the storage instructions for each product.
How do I store medicines correctly?
Keep medicines in a cool, dry, dark place, away from direct light and heat, and out of children's reach. Bathrooms and kitchens are often too humid or warm. Keep medicines in their original packaging with the leaflet so the dose and expiry information is preserved.
How do I dispose of old medicines?
Do not throw medicines in the toilet or sink. In Bulgaria, many pharmacies accept unusable medicines for safe disposal — ask your local pharmacy about the procedure. This avoids pollution and accidental ingestion by children or animals.
Is the cabinet different for a home with children?
Yes. For children, add children's forms of the fever and pain remedies (dosed by weight and age), rehydration products and a suitable thermometer, and keep everything out of children's reach. If unsure about a suitable product and dose, consult a paediatrician or pharmacist.