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Nobody likes to get sick… but getting sick while dealing with a disaster is EXTRA awful. It’s smart to be prepared with some over-the-counter medication in your 72-hour kit.
It’s impossible to plan for every possible illness, but you can try to cover the common ones — minor aches and pains, colds, allergies, diarrhea, fever, etc.
Checklist of OTC Meds for Your 72-Hour Kit
There are dozens of different non-prescription medications you could put in your 72-hour kit, but you don’t need to include them all. Choose what makes the most sense for your family and situation.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Always consult with a doctor before taking any medication. The following list contains general information about common over-the-counter medications from MedlinePlus.org.
- Acetaminophen: Reduces fevers and treats minor aches and pain.
- Aspirin: Reduces pain and helps prevent heart attacks.
- Ibuprofen: Reduces inflammation and treats pain.
- Antacids: Eases heartburn and gas.
- Antihistamines: Reduces swelling and blocks symptoms from allergens.
- Antidiarrheal: Treats symptoms of indigestion, gas, diarrhea, and nausea.
- Laxatives: Relieves constipation.
- Decongestants: Provides mucus relief.
- Sleep Aids: Mild sedation that helps you relax and sleep.
- Ear Drops: Prevents earwax buildup and helps with ear infections.
- Medicated Gum Gel: Numbs sore teeth and gums.
- Electrolytes: Helps you quickly rehydrate after strenuous activity.
- Immunity-Boosting Vitamins: Helps prevent you from contracting colds and viruses.
- Motion Sickness Meds: Antiemetic pills help reduce dizziness and nausea due to motion.
You can buy a lot of these over-the-counter medications in small dosages at your local Dollar Tree. There’s no reason to spend a lot of money to stock your 72-hour kit with meds.
Did you know Dollar Tree has an online store?
Even though some medications do not require a prescription, you still need to be VERY CAREFUL when taking them or administering them to others.
Be sure to properly label all the medication you put in your 72-hour kit so you don’t accidentally take the wrong thing. Also include a copy of the directions and dosage for each medication. You may not have access to the internet during a disaster to look up information.
You can also buy single-dose packages of medicine. They work really well in first-aid kits and 72-hour kits.
Don’t Forget to Include a 3-Day Supply of Your Prescription Meds
If you take daily prescription medication, be sure to include a three-day supply in your 72-hour kit, if possible. Going without your medicine could make a tough situation even tougher.
Obtaining prescription meds for your 72-hour kit can be difficult because insurance companies often do not allow you to get more than a 30-day supply at a time. Doctors are also sometimes reluctant to prescribe any extra…
We would never recommend that you do something illegal to obtain extra medication.
Talk to your doctor and explain why you need extra medication. You might be able to get a one-time prescription for a few days’ worth of meds. At the very least, keep a paper copy of your prescription in your 72-hour kit so you can get it filled if you end up being away from home for more than a few days.
Medication is important! Do what you can to be prepared.
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