Medicine Supply Checklist for Home Preparedness

Quick summary

1. Pain and fever

The foundation of any medicine supply. Keep at least two types on hand, they work differently and treating them as interchangeable can lead to gaps.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol): For pain and fever. Safe for most people including those who can’t take NSAIDs. Adults: 325–650 mg every 4–6 hours, max 4g/day. Also available in children’s liquid formulation, keep both if you have kids.
• Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin): Anti-inflammatory NSAID, better for muscle pain, joint pain, and inflammation than acetaminophen. Adults: 200–400 mg every 4–6 hours with food. Not appropriate for everyone, check with a doctor if unsure.
• Naproxen (Aleve): Longer-acting NSAID, useful for sustained pain like back pain or cramps. Adults: 220 mg every 8–12 hours. Do not combine with ibuprofen.
• Aspirin: Useful for adults (particularly for cardiovascular events per medical guidance). Not for children or teenagers, risk of Reye’s syndrome.
• Digital thermometer: Oral or forehead. Essential for monitoring fever accurately. Check battery every 6 months.

2. Stomach and digestive

• Antacids (Tums, Rolaids): Quick relief for heartburn and acid indigestion. Calcium carbonate-based are generally safe and effective.
• Omeprazole/Famotidine (Prilosec/Pepcid): H2 blocker or PPI for more persistent acid reflux or stomach upset. OTC versions are widely available.
• Anti-nausea medication (Dimenhydrinate/Gravol): For motion sickness, stomach flu nausea, and nausea from other causes.
• Loperamide (Imodium): For diarrhea management. Particularly important during emergencies when food safety may be compromised.
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol): Useful for upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, and traveler’s diarrhea. Contains salicylate, avoid giving to children.
• Oral rehydration salts (ORS): Pedialyte powder packets or WHO-formula ORS for rehydration after illness or heat exposure. More effective than plain water for dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea.
• Stool softener/laxative: Docusate sodium (Colace) or a gentle osmotic laxative for constipation, particularly important for households with elderly members or during dietary changes in an emergency.

3. Allergy and respiratory

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl): Sedating antihistamine for acute allergic reactions, hives, insect stings, and hay fever. Also useful as a sleep aid in small doses. Adults: 25–50 mg.
• Loratadine or Cetirizine (Claritin/Zyrtec): Non-sedating antihistamines for ongoing allergy symptoms, better choice for daytime use when you need to stay functional.
• Nasal saline spray: Drug-free congestion relief and sinus irrigation. Suitable for all ages including infants.
• Decongestant (Pseudoephedrine/Phenylephrine): For nasal congestion from colds. Note that pseudoephedrine is more effective but behind the pharmacy counter in most states.
• Cough suppressant (Dextromethorphan/DXM): For dry, non-productive cough. Look for single-ingredient formulations, combo products often include unnecessary ingredients.
• Guaifenesin (Mucinex): Expectorant, helps loosen and thin mucus for productive coughs. Drink extra water when using.
• Throat lozenges/cough drops: Menthol or honey-based for soothing throat irritation.

4. Skin and topical treatments

• Hydrocortisone cream (1%): For itching from insect bites, minor rashes, contact dermatitis, and poison ivy. Short-term use only on affected skin.
• Antifungal cream (clotrimazole or miconazole): For athlete’s foot, ringworm, and other fungal skin infections.
• Calamine lotion: Soothing topical for insect bites, poison ivy, and minor skin irritation.
• Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin): Apply to minor cuts and abrasions to reduce infection risk. Individual single-use packets stay cleaner than shared tubes.
• Burn treatment gel: Hydrogel-based for minor burns, provides cooling and moist wound coverage.
• Lip balm with SPF: Often overlooked but important in extended outdoor or evacuation scenarios.

5. Eye care

• Sterile saline eye wash: For rinsing foreign particles, dust, or chemical splash from eyes. A 250–500 ml bottle with an eye cup tip.
• Lubricating eye drops (artificial tears): For dry eyes, irritation, or dusty conditions. Non-medicated drops are safe for regular use.
• Antihistamine eye drops: For itchy, watery eyes from allergies.

6. Prescription medicines

This is often the most critical and most neglected part of a household medicine supply. The goal is never to run completely out, even during supply disruptions or emergencies.

• Maintain a running supply: Refill prescriptions when you have 10–14 days remaining rather than when you run out. Most insurance plans allow refills at the 75–80% usage point.
• Keep a 30–90 day supply where possible: Many insurers now allow 90-day fills through mail-order pharmacies at reduced cost. For long-term maintenance medications (blood pressure, thyroid, diabetes, etc.), this is worth pursuing.
• Document all prescriptions: Keep a written or printed list of every household member’s prescriptions, name, dose, frequency, prescribing doctor, and pharmacy. Store a copy in your emergency kit and one in the cloud or with a trusted contact.
• Emergency-critical prescriptions: Epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens), nitroglycerin, insulin, rescue inhalers, and seizure medications must be available at all times, not just at home but in your go-bag for evacuations.
• Check expiry dates twice a year: Many medications remain effective well past their printed expiration date, but stability varies significantly by drug type. For critical medications, replace before expiry.
• Storage requirements: Some medications require refrigeration (insulin, certain eye drops). Others degrade in heat, check storage requirements for every prescription and plan accordingly for power outages.

7. Household-specific additions

• Children’s formulations: Acetaminophen and ibuprofen in liquid form dosed by weight, age-appropriate antihistamines, and saline nasal drops for infants.
• Prenatal vitamins: If relevant to the household.
• Vitamins and supplements: A daily multivitamin as a baseline nutrition hedge during extended emergencies. Vitamin D and magnesium are common gaps in typical diets.
• Pet medications: Any prescription or regular medications for pets, heartworm preventative, flea and tick treatment, and prescription drugs for chronic conditions.
• Vision: Spare glasses with current prescription, contact solution, and a spare set of contacts or glasses. Include cleaning supplies.
• Hearing: Spare hearing aid batteries in the correct size. Hearing aid desiccant packs for moisture protection.

Storage and maintenance

• Location: Store the majority of your supply in a cool, dry location away from the bathroom (humidity and temperature fluctuations in bathrooms shorten medication shelf life). A bedroom closet or dedicated cabinet is better.
• Temperature sensitivity: Standard room temperature (59–77°F / 15–25°C) is ideal for most medications. Avoid hot cars, attics, and unconditioned garages.
• Audit schedule: Do a full review every 6 months, typically tied to the same schedule as smoke detector batteries and first aid kit checks.
• Disposal: Don’t flush expired medications. Use DEA drug take-back programs, drop-off kiosks at many pharmacies, or mix with an undesirable substance (coffee grounds, kitty litter) in a sealed bag before trash disposal.

Simple takeaway

A well-stocked medicine supply covers the predictable illnesses and conditions your household actually experiences, plus a buffer of prescription medications to prevent running out during a disruption. The single most impactful thing most households can do is set up a refill routine so prescriptions are never below a 14-day supply.