Common Pharmacy Only Medicines

Pharmacy Only Medicines (PO) can be obtained from a pharmacist even without a doctor's prescription. These drugs are not available over the counters and can only be given after the patients have been assessed by the pharmacist. The pharmacist will need to register your name, identity number, address, the amount of medicine supplied to you and the purpose of selling in the record. Thus, he or she will need your identity card for this purpose.

Common minor ailments drugs that you can obtain from the pharmacists for minor ailments

Acetylcystein 100mg powder (Flumucil)
Used for treatment of phlegm in children

Acetylcystein 600mg effervescent tablet (Flumucil)
Used for treatment of phlegm in adults

Acyclovir 5% cream (Zovirax)
Used for cold sore treatment
Maximum supply of  2 g each time

Ambroxol 30mg tablet and 30mg/ 5ml syrup (Mucosolvan)
Used for treatment of phlegm

Amorolfine 5% nail lacquer (Loceryl)
Used for treatment of fungal infections of the nail

Naproxen Sodium Tablet 220mg (Aleve)
Used for mentrual cramps, toothache

Beclomethasone nasal spray
Used for prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis
Maximum supply of 3 months' duration to patients of 18 years and above

Benzydamine lozenges/ gargles (Difflam)
Used for treatment of sore throat

Bromhexine 8mg tablet (Bisolvon)
Used for treatment of phlegm

Budesonide nasal sprays
Maximum supply of 3 months' duration to patients of 18 years and above

Cetirizine syrup/ tablets (Zyrtec)
Used for allergic rhinitis, relief of itchiness

Cetirizine 5 mg + pseudoephdrine 120 mg (Zyrtec-D) tablets
Used for blocked and runny nose

Cilopirox 1% shampoo (Stieprox)
Used for treatment of fungal infections eg, dandruff, white spots

Clotrimazole 1% cream (Candid)
Used for treatment of fungal infection eg, athlete's foot

Dequalinium lozenges
Used for treatment of sore throat

Diclofenac 12.5 mg tablet
Used for mild pain and fever reduction

Domperidone 10mg tablet/ syrup
Used for relief of bloatedness, belching, heartburn after meal
Maximum supply of 42 tablets

Bromhexine + Pholcodine cough syrup (Duro-tuss)
Used for treatment of cough with phlegm for diabetes patients as it is sugar-free

Bromhexine cough syrup (Duro-tuss) Mucolytic cough syrup
Used for relief of phlegm for diabetes patients as it is sugar- free

Chlorpheniramine 4mg tablet
Used for allergic symptoms eg, runny nose, sneezing, itchiness

Dexchlorpheniramine 6mg tablets (Polaramine)
Used for allergic symptoms eg, runny nose, sneezing, itchiness

Diphenoxylate hydrochloride + atropine sulphate (Lomotil)
Used for treatment of diarrhea

Econazole vaginal preparations/ pessary
Used for relief of mild candida infections

Famotidine 10 mg tablets
Used for short term relief of heartburn, dyspepsia and hyperacidity
Maximum supply of 28 tablets

Fexofenadine 60mg / pseudoephdrine 120mg tablets
Used for blocked and runny nose

Glyceryl trinitrate (Nitroglycerine) spray/ subligual tablets
Used for relief of angina (heart pain)

Hydrocortisone 0.5% and 1% cream/ ointment
Used for relief of redness, itchiness for atopic eczema

Loperamide 2mg tablet (Immodium)
Used for relief of diarrhea

Loratadine 10mg + 120 mg pseudoephdrine tablet (Clarinase)
Used for blocked and runny nose

Minoxidil 5% scalp lotion (Growell, Regain)
Used for alopecia (baldness) in male

Minoxidil 3% scalp lotion (Growell, Regain)
Used for alopecia (balness) in female

Ibuprofen  200 mg tablet and 100mg/5ml syrup (Nurofen)
Used for relief of headache, menstrual pain, backache, muscular and arthritic pain and reduction of fever >38.5
Maximum supply of 60 tablets

Isoconazole vaginal cream/ pessary (Travogen)
Used for short term mild yeast infection

Ketoconazole 1% shampoo (Nizoral)
Used for treatment of fungal infection eg, dandruff, white spot

Nicotine lozenges, gum, transdermal patches, inhalers (Nicotinell, Nicorette)
Used for reduction of nicotine craving associated with smoking cessation

Omeprazole 20mg tablet
Used for relief of heartburn symptoms associated with acid reflux
Maximum supply of 14 tablets

Ranitidine 150mg tablet/ syrup (Zantac)
Used for short term relief of heart burn, dyspepsia and hyperacidity
Maximum supply of 28 tablets

Tioconazole vaginal pessary
Used for yeast infection

Triamcinolone nasal spray (Nasacort AQ)
Used to treat nasal allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and runny nose caused by seasonal allergies or hay fever.
Maximum supply of 3 months

Triamcinolone 0.1% oral paste (Kenalog)
Used for treatment of mild oral ulcers

Triamcinolone 0.1% + Lignocaine 3% dental paste (Oracort-E)
Used for treatment of mild oral ulcers

Trachisan lozenges
Used for treatment of sore throat

Tyrothricin lozenges
Used for treatment of sore throat

Orlistat 120 mg capsules (Xenical)
Used for treatment of people who are obese Body Mass Index more than or equal to 30kg/m2 only

Common cough syrups:

Diphenhydramine
Used as expectorant for phlegmy (chesty)  cough

Dextromethorphan
Used as cough suppressant for dry cough

Guaifenesine
Used as expectorant for phlegmy cough
Also available as Over the Counter Medicines

Promethazine
Used for cough, nausea, vomiting, sedation

Pholcodine
Used as cough suppresant for dry cough

Promethazine + codeine
Used as cough suppresant for phlegmy cough
Maximum supply of 240ml per 3 days

Eye conditions:

Naphazoline and pheniramine (Naphcon A) eye drops
Used for treatment of red and itchy eye

Sodium cromoglycate 2% (Cromabak) eye drop
Used for allergic conjunctivitis 

Antazoline and Tetryzoline (Spersallerg) eye drop
Used for treatment of red and itchy eye

Desomidine (Hexamidine) eye drop
Used for mild bacterial infection
Can be obtained over the counter without the presence of the pharmacist as it is a General Sale List drug

Other common medications that used to be Pharmacy Only Medicines but are now over the counter drugs

Antifungal cream
Miconazole 2% cream (Daktarin)
Clotrimazole 1% cream
Terbinafine 1% cream (Lamisil)

Antihistamine tablets
Loratadine 10mg (Clarityne) tablet