Over-The-Counter (OTC) Drugs to Include In Your First Aid Kit

Medicines are one of the most essential items you must include in your first aid kit. Of course you need to store medicines if you or a member of your family has a condition that needs to be treated. Storing over-the-counter medicines is important; you might need them in case of emergency and to help you survive an emergency situation.

Here are 13 over-the-counter drugs to include in your first aid kit.

Antibiotic ointment

Use antibiotic ointment to treat wounds and prevent possible infections.

Antihistamine

Use antihistamine to treat mild allergic reactions such as runny nose, slight food allergic reactions, and swelling cause by insect stings.

Anti-itch cream

This medicine is very important to have especially when you’re out in the wild. Anti-itch cream helps relieve itching. Treat your itching wound with this medicine; avoid scratching it to prevent infection.

Aspirin/Acetaminophen

Use aspirin for fever reduction, thinning the blood, and to prevent heart attack. This medicine is inexpensive and it is also a non-prescription medication.

Burn Gel

During an emergency situation there is a possibility that you or a member of your family will get some burn injuries. Apply burn gel to your burn injuries to ease the pain and to prevent possible infections.

Epi-pen

Epi-pen is used for treating insect sting and food allergic reactions. You will need to ask a prescription to your doctor first before buying this medicine. Make sure that all the symptoms are right before taking a shot of epinephrine.

Laxative

In an emergency situation people can get stressed, this stress can lead to a serious traffic jam in your bowels. When your body store a lot of waste this can lead to a serious problem. So when you feel like your body has a lot of waste, take some laxatives.

Loperamide (Anti Diarrhea Medicine)

There is a possibility that you can get diarrhea when you are in an emergency situation. Take loperamide to stop dehydration caused by diarrhea.

Pain Reliever

Ibuprofen is one of the many pain relievers that can be very helpful in relieving pain caused by injuries. You can also use it to treat headache and other common complains.

Quick-clot

Apply quick-clot powder to your wounds to seal it up and to stop the bleeding.

Rehydration Salts

Rehydration salts is a very important medicine to have in an emergency situation. Use this to fight total dehydration that can lead to death.

Rehydration salts contain a lot of nutrients and potassium.

Sleep Aides

Stress can also lead to sleepless nights or insomnia. A lack of sleep can affect your decision making and judgments. Making good decisions and judgments can help you survive in an emergency situation.

Vitamins

The most important medicine that you should have in your first aid kit is vitamins. When you are in an emergency situation you need vitamins and minerals so that your body will function normally. Your body will need extra nutrients, vitamins and minerals to be able to fight off bacteria and viruses.

Take some vitamins to help your body fight off bacteria and viruses.

Other OCT drugs that you should add in your first aid kit:

• Antacids
• Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
• Cold medicines
• Ear drops
• Inhaler / asthma meds
• Infant/children pain relief
• Saline Spray/Solution