What should be in a first-aid kit? You need to know about these commonly used medications

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Many families keep a small first-aid kit with common medications, which can be extremely useful in critical moments. Different medications are used for different symptoms, and they also require different storage methods. How should we purchase and store commonly used medications in a proper manner? In a household first-aid kit, it is necessary to have medicines for treating common illnesses, such as those used to address symptoms like colds, fevers, coughs, diarrhea, and abdominal distension. 1. For everyday use in treating colds, medications such as Paracetamol, Chlorpheniramine, and Dextromethorphan tablets, or Vitamin C and Forsythia tablets can be chosen. Families with children might want to keep some pediatric cold remedies on hand, such as Paracetamol and Pseudoephedrine oral solution, or Jian’er Qingjie Liquid. If fever occurs, it is recommended to use antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen preparations; traditional Chinese medicines with heat-clearing and detoxifying effects like Pudilan Oral Liquid, Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid, and Chaihuang Granules can also be chosen. There are age restrictions for antipyretic and analgesic drugs in children; no antipyretic drugs are recommended for infants under 2 months of age. If a fever occurs in infants under 3 months of age, medical attention should be sought promptly. If antipyretics are needed for infants aged 2 to 6 months, acetaminophen is recommended; please consult a physician for specific advice. Regardless of age, if a fever persists for more than 3 days, medical attention should be sought promptly. 2. If a respiratory infection triggers coughing, cough and phlegm-relieving medications such as Jizhi Syrup or Chuanbei Loquat Syrup can be used. In the case of coughs in children, pediatric medications such as ambroxol and terbutaline oral solution, or pediatric formulas for reducing accumulation and relieving cough can be used. 3. To relieve symptoms such as abdominal distension, common medications like Domperidone and multienzyme tablets can be used, or traditional Chinese medicines such as Baohe Pills, Jianwei Xiaoshi Tablets, and Dashanzha Pills can also be chosen. For patients with constipation, Mahren Wan can be used as a backup to moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements ； If it is a child, Wang’s Baochi Pills or lactulose can be used as alternatives. In case of diarrhea, probiotic preparations can be used to regulate the gut microecosystem, while montmorillonite powder helps stop diarrhea and protect the gastrointestinal mucosa. If diarrhea is caused by getting cold in summer, traditional Chinese medicines such as Huoxiang Zhengqi Liquid can be used. If children at home have poor digestion and are prone to food stagnation, traditional Chinese medicines such as Simo Tang Oral Liquid can be chosen. 4. If hives are caused by an allergy or if sudden allergic symptoms occur, over-the-counter antihistamines such as loratadine or cetirizine can be used. However, if the allergic symptoms do not improve after taking these medications, or if there have been severe allergic reactions in the past, or if there is a family history of severe allergic reactions, it is recommended to seek medical attention at a nearby hospital promptly. If anti-allergy medications are to be used in infants of young age, it is necessary to consult a professional physician. 5. It is recommended that families keep a thermometer on hand to measure body temperature in case fever is suspected. With children at home who are prone to getting bumps and bruises, it’s a good idea to keep ice packs on hand for applying ice compresses, as well as having readily available common supplies and disinfectants such as band-aids, sterile cotton swabs, sterile gauze, medical tape, 75% disinfecting alcohol, and povidone-iodine. When choosing medications, it is advisable to opt for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs with fewer side effects, as well as those that offer stable efficacy and are easy to use. Use the medication with caution; it is best to use it under a doctor’s supervision. In addition, special medications should be prepared based on the health conditions of different family members, under the advice of specialist doctors. Regarding drug storage, some drugs require special storage conditions, such as being kept in the refrigerated compartment to maintain freshness. It is recommended to store them strictly in accordance with the instructions provided, and large quantities of drugs should not be stored. Make sure to keep the medication out of reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion. It is recommended to organize medications by category to prevent the use of the wrong medication in emergency situations. Different medications have different expiration dates; be sure to keep the packaging of the medications, and regularly check whether the drugs in the medicine cabinet have expired. If there are medications that have passed their expiration date, they should be taken to a medication recycling facility promptly or handled accordingly after consulting a doctor, in order to prevent environmental pollution. If you have any questions regarding medication use, follow the advice of a professional physician. The smaller the infant or toddler, the more cautious one should be when using medications, and it is recommended to seek advice from a pediatrician in advance.