Emergency medicine kit or Emergency first Aid medicine kit / must have medicine

Emergency medicine kit / Emergency First Aid medicine kit /Must have medicine !!

Unfortunately emergencies arise when least expected, People can suddenly suffer a heart attack or have severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic reactions) after consuming certain foods, bee stings. Fortunately, emergency medications exist to manage such medical scenarios. 

Apart from your prescriptions, A well-stocked emergency medicine kit can help you respond effectively to common minor emergencies & injuries e.g minor cuts and burns, headaches, fevers, cough, itching, allergies and runny nose.

“The key word here is minor problems. For severe symptoms, bypass the kit and go directly to your doctor.”

Here is the TOP OTC (over the counter) emergency medicine/drug List you really need to keep in your cabinet or with you while travelling.  

 

 Anti_Allergy: Any kind of allergy e.g. cold, flue, food allergy, bee stings, skin allergy and other allergies (sinusitis, bronchitis) can be treated by anti allergy and anti histamine tablet. Commonly use anti allergic and antihistamine tablet worldwide is cetirizine.

Cetirizine is used to temporarily relieve the symptoms of hay fever (allergy to pollen, dust, or other substances in the air) and allergy to other substances (such as dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, and molds).It is used to treat cold or allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, or runny nose. Cetirizine is easily available over the counter (OTC)

Trade name: zyrtec /CET /Acet /CTZ /A coldsusp

(Epinephrine is used to treat potentially life-threatening allergic responses to foods, insects, late and medications.)

Anti_pain/Painkiller: Pain relievers are medicines that reduce or relieve headaches, sore muscles, arthritis, or other body aches and pains. Over the counter (OTC) painkiller are good for all kind of pain, most common pain killer used world wide is paracetamol and NSAID (Non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs), commonly used OTC pain killers are: Paracetamol 500mg, Aspirin 300mg, Diclofenac sodium, Ibuprofen 400/600mg, (Advil, Motrin)

Chest pain (angina): Nitroglycerin, very common emergency medication used to treat sudden onset of chest pain, also known as angina. During angina, inadequate amounts of oxygen and blood reach the heart. Death of heart tissues may occur if this is prolonged enough, Nitroglycerin also relaxes the smooth muscle in blood vessels to allow more blood to flow to the heart.

Cough/ cold medicines:There are 2 types of OTC cough medicines: cough suppressants and expectorants. A common cough suppressant is dextromethorphan or DM (some brand names: Triaminic Cold and Cough, Robitussin Cough, Vicks 44 Cough and Cold).

Decongestants: Some OTC decongestants are with pseudo-ephedrine. Many medicines combine an antihistamine and decongestant, like Allegra-D, Benadryl, Allergy Plus Sinus, Claritin-D, and Zyrtec-D. Don’t use nasal sprays longer than three days.

 Antidiarrheal: Anti diarrhea medication is used to treat sudden onset of diarrhea and traveler’s diarrhea. It works by slowing down the movement of the gut. This decreases the number of bowel movements and makes the stool less watery. It is also used to treat on-going diarrhea in people with inflammatory bowel disease. Remember when diarrhea is a symptom of an infection or caused by bacteria or parasites, you may also need to take antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. OTC Antidiarrheal medicines include:

loperamide (1 brand name: Imodium) andBismuth subsalicylate (2 brand names: Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol).Bismuth subsalicylate can also be used for upset stomach and as an antiemetic (a medicine that treats nausea and vomiting).

 Note: Don’t give loperamide to Children, 2 years of age or younger unless your family doctor prescribe.

 Respiratory or asthmatic attack: Anyone with asthma should be prepared for an emergency. Even if you’ve kept your asthma under control for years, it could still get worse without you realizing it. Commonly use medicines for asthma are:

Short-acting beta agonists, such as albuterol. As nebulizer.
Prednisolone tablets 5mg, these medications help reduce lung inflammation and get your asthma symptoms under control.
Salbutamol or terbutaline inhaler.Ipratropium (Atrovent). Ipratropium is sometimes used as a bronchodilator to treat a severe asthma attack,

  Antibiotics: Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections. Used properly, antibiotics can save lives. They either kill bacteria or keep them from reproducing. When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully. It is important to finish your medicine dose even if you feel better. And please, don’t take antibiotics every time you have pain or a fever. Antibiotics do not fight infections caused by viruses, such as cold, flue, bronchitis, sore throat. Commonly used antibiotic are:

Amoxicillin/co_amoxiclav or suspension: 250/500mg (Most commonly used antibiotics effective against most of bacterial infection.

Ciprofloxacin (250/500mg) Best for urinary tract infections, prostate infections, respiratory tract infections (such as bronchitis or pneumonia), bacterial diarrhea, anthrax, and diverticulitis or infectious colitis.

Metronidazole: used for intestinal infection.Azithromycin & Erythromycin: it treats respiratory infections and all sorts of things like Chlamydia, Lyme disease, PID, Syphilis, and Typhoid.

  Ophthalmology (for eyes): When preparing your emergency first aid medicine kit, don’t forget about your eyes. Smoke, dust, pollen, wind, sun, high altitude, change of weather – it all affects your eyes. Eye drop can be use to prevent eye infections, treat “lazy eye” and helping dry and irritated eyes stay moist.

Chloramphenicol eye drops and eye ointment (1%) are used to treat bacterial eye infections, especially for conjunctivitis.Most over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops contain humectants (substances that help retain moisture), lubricants, and electrolytes, such as potassium.Artificial teardrop and other lubricating eye drops are used for irritated and dry eyes. With active ingredient of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

 Antacid: Antacids are a type of medication that can control the acid levels in your stomach and are taken by mouth to quickly relieve occasional heartburn, major symptom of gastro esophageal reflux disease, and acid indigestion. Antacids are available in liquid form or as chewable tablets. OTC available antacids are:

Alternagel, Amphogel.Zantac 75/rantac / pepsid / Axid

They’re sold under various brand names but contain common ingredients, including:

Aluminum hydroxide,sodium and magnesium carbonate,magnesium trisilicate.

 Hydrocortisone cream: it is a topical corticosteroid skin cream, It works by reducing skin inflammation (redness, swelling, itching, and irritation).

 Low-strength preparations (0.5% or 1%) are used without a prescription for the temporary relief of

Minor skin irritations, itching, and rashes caused by eczema, insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, and jewelry.Itchy anal, swelling or discomfort of hemorrhoids and other rectal problems.Itching, scaling, irritation of the scalp. It is also used to relieve the discomfort of mouth sores.

You may also want:

Calamine lotion: This old-fashioned pink liquid soothes itching from rashes and bites and dries up weepy rashes.

Bandages and gauze pads: for cuts and burns, A box of adhesive strips in assorted sizes and a box of gauze pads will be adequate to dress most cuts, scrapes, and burns.

Medical tape: This will hold gauze in place.

Hydrogen peroxide: it is used to clean wounds, it stings less than alcohol.

Antibiotic ointment: It can protect and moisten a closed wound or a minor burn. Antibiotic Band-Aids are also an option.

NOTE: Store your medicine kit someplace easy to get to and out of the reach of young Children. Make sure children old enough to understand the purpose of the kit and know where they’re stored. 

“To insure good health, eat healthy, sleep well, exercise regularly, stay strong and take care of your body, because it’s the only place you have to live”

Thanks