Money-saving switches

Never be lured into paying more to stock up on big-name brands. “With medicine, the name and brand is irrelevant to how well it works,” says James O’Loan, director and superintendent pharmacist at doctor-4-u.co.uk. “They all must be manufactured to the exact same standard.”

Painkillers

own-brand painkillers contain the same active ingredients as branded ones. In Panadol, it’s paracetamol. In Nurofen, it’s ibuprofen. save around £1.90

Sore Throat

Gargling with a 300mg tablet of aspirin dissolved in water is as effective as a pricey anaesthetic spray. save £6.10

Erectile Dysfunction

“Viagra is a household name,” says James. “but the drug itself is sildenafil. It’s identical in every way, apart from the price.” save £5

eczema

aqueous cream contains the same liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin as specialist soap substitutes. save £21.40

Blocked Nose

look for the active ingredient pseudoephedrine, found in sudafed. save £1

hay fever

Pick antihistamines loratadine or cetirizine for a fraction of the price, plus they won’t cause drowsiness. save £1.50

eye Infections

look for chloramphenicol, the active ingredient in own-brand eye drops. save £1.50 w&h