Sending a child off to college or university is a milestone filled with excitement, anxiety, and – if you’re a pharmacist – a bit of overthinking about their medicine-related needs. (Just me?) Beyond the usual concerns, like roommates, buying a refrigerator, and moving across the country, there is less obvious but still important question – how do we set our kids up for independence, medicine-wise? While most young adults are generally healthy, the reality is that minor injuries, stomach upsets, headaches, and allergies don’t disappear at school, and they won’t have their parents around to help them. A well-selected first aid kit can help students effectively treat minor issues. It’s also worth noting which medicines are best avoided because they are ineffective, have side effects, or should be used only on the advice of a health care professional. Here is one pharmacist’s guide to medicines to consider for a basic/minimalist medicines kit for students. And it’s not just students – I have the same medicines on hand for when I travel (pictured above).
The Disclaimers
Before diving into my recommended medications, it’s worth noting a few key considerations and limitations. First, this list focuses on pharmaceuticals; items like bandages and thermometers are worth considering in a first aid kit, but they’re not part of this discussion – there are plenty of guides you can find on what to include. Second, each student’s health needs and medical history will be different. Allergies, chronic conditions, or sensitivity to certain medications should always guide what goes into a medicines kit. If unsure, check with a licensed health professional who knows their health history. I am not your pharmacist, so what I’m suggesting here is general information that does not reflect what might be most appropriate considering specific medical circumstances. With these points in mind, here are the medicines this pharmacist would generally recommend, and those best left at home. I’ll divide this into categories.
Pain and Inflammation
Most first aid kits should include acetaminophen, typically 325 mg or 500 mg tablets. These are effective pain relievers and are generally very safe when taken at recommended doses. They also have the advantage of not irritating the stomach. The main limitation of acetaminophen is that it does not treat inflammation. For other types of pain, or pain that doesn’t respond well to acetaminophen—such as minor injuries—an anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen 200 mg is my preferred choice. It’s widely available, easy to dose (1–2 tablets at a time), and effective for both pain and inflammation. An anti-inflammatory alternative to ibuprofen would be naproxen which has the advantage of less frequent dosing, but at the expense of more stomach and digestive complications, especially with prolonged use.
Digestive Issues
For common stomach problems, a few well-chosen medications can be very helpful and will be appreciated if they are accessible. Antacids like Tums (essentially calcium carbonate) provide quick relief for occasional heartburn or acid discomfort. For longer-lasting control, products that reduce stomach acid, such as famotidine (preferred over ranitidine because of safety concerns) can be useful for heartburn or stomach upset. There is also omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, but I don’t recommend it for first aid, because it takes days to reach peak effectiveness. If you need to take either product regularly, it should be on the advice of a physician.
For diarrhea, loperamide (Imodium) can be a lifesaver. It can help quickly get symptoms under control and allow your student to stay on schedule. While fine for occasional use, it should not be used if there’s a fever or blood in the stool, since loperamide treats the symptom rather than the underlying cause of the diarrhea. I recommend loperamide over any other antidiarrheal because of how quickly it works.
Allergies and Allergic Reactions
An antihistamine such as loratadine or cetirizine is a good choice for students who experience seasonal allergies, insect bites, hives, or other mild allergic reactions. These medications generally do not cause drowsiness (though cetirizine is more sedating than loratidine), making them convenient for busy active students. I do not recommend diphenhydramine – it causes drowsiness and is not more effective than the non-sedating antihistamines for common allergic reactions.
Topicals
Topical medications can help with minor skin issues. A mild non-prescription corticosteroid cream, such as 1% hydrocortisone, is useful for relieving irritation from insect bites, mild rashes, or other skin irritations. It’s generally safe for short-term use on small areas. However, avoid topical antihistamines – they are not effective.
For minor cuts, scrapes, or burns, a topical antibacterial ointment like bacitracin or a triple-antibiotic ointment can help prevent infection while the skin heals. Used sparingly, these products are typically well-tolerated.
What to Leave Out
Not every medication belongs in a student’s first aid kit. There are several I do not recommend.
Narcotic-containing products, such as codeine-based pain relievers or cough syrups, should be avoided entirely. These products carry risks of dependence, sedation, and are unnecessary for most minor pain.
Most over-the-counter cough and cold products offer limited benefit and can cause unwanted side effects, especially multi-ingredient formulations that combine decongestants, antihistamines, and pain relievers. These can be confusing to dose and often contain unnecessary or ineffective ingredients.
Drugs to promote sleeping (non-prescription) are not recommended. While it is popular, I do not recommend melatonin because of the lack of evidence and questionable manufacturing standards.
Herbal supplements. All of them. If you’ve read any of my posts for the past 15 years you’ll know why.
Conclusion
A thoughtfully stocked first aid kit won’t solve every health issue, but it can empower young students to manage common problems confidently and safely. The essentials I’ve suggested here reflect a minimalist, practical approach, one that I use myself when traveling. You can fit all these products into a small bag or box. Tip: When you pack the kit, note the earliest expiry date, write it on a label, and attach that label to the outside of the kit. A little preparation now can save stress and anxiety down the road, and gives students and their parents more peace of mind.
What did I miss?