My post a couple of weeks ago on what medicines to send with your college student struck a chord with some of you. The comments were full of thoughtful additions and stories, and they made me realize that while we may think about “student kits” or “travel kits,” many of us haven’t put the same care into having a well-stocked kit at home.
I keep a compact (but still portable) kit of medicines and first aid materials that sits in a cupboard in my house (pictured above) with everything we need handy, in one place. There’s nothing like a feverish child in the middle of the night, a stinging caterpillar dropping on your neck, or (and this actually happened) swallowing a bee mid-run to remind you that even if the pharmacy is nearby, having essential medicines, organized, and on hand is important. It’s also handy to have it ready to go for disaster planning.
With that in mind, here’s a short, sensible list of medicines and supplies I think every household should keep in a home first aid kit.
Disclaimers
Like my last list, this list focuses on over-the-counter drugs but I’ll include some important non-drug products I recommend. Second, consider this a list as a starting point to build your own kit around – consider medications, chronic medical conditions and medication sensitivities to assemble something that suits you and your family. Lastly, remember that this is general information: I am not your pharmacist and I don’t know your medication history. I’m not giving you personal advice. I’m also not giving you dosing information. Read the package insert for each medication carefully. If you need advice, speak with a registered and licensed health professional, like your pharmacist. With these points in mind, here are the medicines this pharmacist would generally recommend.
General Considerations
A few general tips:
Wherever possible, and especially for medicine you use infrequently, choose medicines that come in unit-dose or blister packaging—individually packaged and labelled tablets. They are more compact in your first aid kit, and assuming you are storing your first aid kit properly, will not expire before the printed expiry date. A regular bottle may be more practical for medicines you access more frequently.
I am a fan of single-ingredient medicines versus combination products, with two or more ingredients. This allows you to match the medicine you take to your needs, and reduces the risk of accidentally combining duplicate ingredients.
Consider dosage forms. If you have children or family members with difficulty swallowing, you may want to have solid and liquid (and even chewable) versions of some products.
Buy generic when you can. Brand products are typically more expensive than the comparable generic. Generic drugs in most countries are tightly regulated and as safe and effective as their brand equivalents. If you are ever unsure, ask the pharmacist if they can recommend a generic equivalent.
Don’t forget your pets. Pets are part of the family and may have their own medicine requirements. Label specialized pet medicines clearly.
Store your kit carefully, away from temperature extremes. As you build your kit, note expiry dates on a sheet of paper. Put a label or sheet with the earliest expiry date somewhere visible as a reminder.
Suggested Medicines
Pain and Inflammation
In most cases the go-to analgesic is acetaminophen, either 325 mg or 500 mg tablets. It is an effective pain reliever and is generally very safe when taken at recommended doses. (Do not exceed 4000 mg per day.) Acetaminophen has 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 headaches or minor injuries—an anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen 200 mg is a good option. It’s widely available, easy to dose (1–2 tablets at a time, ideally with food), 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. You probably need only two products (acetaminophen + an anti-inflammatory) on hand for pain and inflammation, but you may want a few different dosage forms (such as chewables or liquids) if you have children or family members who have difficulty swallowing. I’ll cover topical analgesics below.
Digestive Issues
For common stomach problems, a few well-chosen medications can be very helpful. Antacids like Tums (calcium carbonate) provide quick relief for occasional heartburn or acid discomfort. (One commenter two weeks ago noted a preference for non-calcium antacids, like Gaviscon, so experimenting before an urgent situation may be worthwhile.) I also keep a bottle of bismuth subsalicylate tablets (Pepto-Bismol) in my first aid kit for general and acute stomach upset issues as well.
For longer-lasting relief, 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 your first aid kit, 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. 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. In that case, you need medical advice. I recommend loperamide over any other antidiarrheal because of how quickly it works.
Coughs, Colds, and Allergies
For cold symptoms like congestion, pseudoephedrine is the only effective oral decongestant available over-the-counter. Depending on what country you live in, you may have some hoops to jump through to purchase it. Phenylephrine is also sold as a decongestant but it is not effective. Decongestant nasal sprays are also effective but I see them as optional for a first aid kit unless you want decongestant on hand and can’t use pseudoephedrine.
An antihistamine such as loratadine or cetirizine is a good choice for insect bites, hives, or other mild allergic reactions. These medications generally do not cause drowsiness (though cetirizine is more sedating than loratadine), making them convenient. I do not recommend diphenhydramine – it causes drowsiness and is not more effective than the non-sedating antihistamines for common allergic reactions. I described the approach to treating seasonal allergies earlier this year. Nasal corticosteroids are very effective but from my perspective less useful in a first aid kit unless it’s something you already use regularly. Avoid topical antihistamines – they are not effective.
Dimenhydrinate (brand name Gravol) is an antihistamine that is more commonly used for nausea and motion sickness. I keep this in my first aid kit and it’s handy, especially if you travel with your kit. It can cause drowsiness.
Topicals
Topical products can make your kit more versatile. Here’s what I’ve personally found helpful to have on hand, based on my own trial and error over the years.
Aloe vera gel – Optional but sometimes handy. Provides symptomatic relief for minor burns or sunburns.
Antiseptic wipes – Compact and useful for cleaning minor cuts and scrapes.
Topical antibiotic ointment (bacitracin or a triple antibiotic) – Helps prevent infection in small wounds. Use sparingly.
Antifungal cream or powder (e.g., clotrimazole) – Helpful if you or family members are prone to athlete’s foot or fungal rashes.
Hydrocortisone 1% cream – This is usually the maximum strength available without a prescription. It reduces irritation from insect bites, mild rashes, and skin inflammation. Safe for short-term use on small areas.
Topical pain relievers (menthol-based rubs, lidocaine gels) – Can provide temporary relief for sore muscles or minor injuries.
Sunblock (travel size) – Always useful if you’re caught without it.
Special Situations
Naloxone (Narcan) kits are worth keeping on hand for suspected opioid overdose whenever opioid exposure is a possibility. It can be truly lifesaving.
COVID-19 tests – Worth considering, especially for high-risk individuals who may require treatment with COVID therapeutic drugs if they become ill.
Epinephrine auto-injector (Epipen) – If you have a family member with anaphylactic allergies, they’re already carrying an Epipen. Keep an extra in your first aid kit.
Non-Drug Supplies
Medicines are only part of a good first aid kit. A few non-drug supplies make it much more useful:
Thermometer – A reliable digital thermometer is essential.
Bandages – Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes, plus gauze pads and medical tape for larger cuts or scrapes. Blister treatments like hydrocolloid bandages and moleskin are essential, in my opinion.
Elastic bandage – For sprains or to secure dressings.
Tweezers and scissors – Tweezers for splinters or ticks (or a dedicated tick remover), scissors for cutting tape or bandages.
Gloves – Disposable medical gloves are compact and handy.
Masks – A few surgical or N95-style masks can help manage illness or unexpected exposure.
Oral rehydration salts or electrolyte powders – Useful during illness, heat, or after intense activity.
Keyring flashlight – For power outages or night-time emergencies.
Basic first aid manual – Even a short guide can be helpful in stressful situations. I don’t want to rely on my phone in an emergency.
Conclusion
A well-stocked first aid kit won’t cover every situation, but it will save you from late-night pharmacy runs and give you peace of mind. Start with the basics, tailor it to your household and your unique medication and health needs, keep updating it based on what you learn, and check it regularly so everything is current and ready to use. Let me know what’s in your own first aid kit at home and what I missed.