First aid kit for emergency suitcase: a complete list of medications with explanations

An emergency suitcase is not just a set of things in case of emergency evacuation, but a well-thought-out survival system, where First aid kit plays a key role. In circumstances of force majeure—whether natural disasters, man-made accidents, or social upheavals—access to medical care can be limited for days or even weeks. That is why the composition of the first aid kit should cover 90% of possible emergency conditions: from a banal headache to severe allergic reactions.

In this article we will not just list medications, but explain why each drug is important, how to store medications correctly (so that they do not lose effectiveness after a year), and what to do if you have chronic diseases or allergies. We will pay special attention three critical errorswhich 80% of people do when packing a first aid kit: ignoring expiration dates, lack of instructions and improper storage of insulin/adrenaline.

The material was prepared taking into account the recommendations WHO (2023), EMERCOM of Russia and practicing emergency physicians. All drugs are selected so that they can be purchased without a prescription (except in individual cases) and stored at room temperature. If you are traveling by car, a separate section is devoted to the nuances car first aid kit - what should be in it beyond the standard set.

Why a standard first aid kit is not suitable for an emergency suitcase

A typical car or home first aid kit is designed to provide first aid for several hours before paramedics arrive. The alarm suitcase suggests autonomous survival from 3 to 30 days - and this is a fundamental difference. Here are the key differences:

• 🩹 Duration of action of drugs: in a standard first aid kit, one-time doses are enough (for example, 1 tablet of analgin), but here courses of treatment are needed (for example, an antibiotic for 5–7 days).
• 🌡️ Storage conditions: Medicines must withstand temperature changes (from -10°C to +40°C), since the case may be in the trunk of a car or in the basement.
• 📄 Documentation: each drug must be accompanied by instructions (in laminated form) and a list of contraindications - in a stressful situation it is easy to forget the dosage.
• ⚕️ Individual approach: If you have diabetes, asthma or heart disease, the standard kit is useless without specialized medications.

In addition, the emergency suitcase should contain a first aid kit modular: basic block (painkillers, antiseptics, antipyretics) + individual block (medicines according to diagnoses) + block for emergencies (adrenaline, glucose). This approach allows you to quickly navigate and not waste time searching for the right drug.

Basic list of medications: what should be in every first aid kit

This section is dedicated to universal set, which is suitable for a family of 3-4 people for 7-10 days of autonomy. All drugs are selected taking into account:

• 🔹 Minimal side effects (for example, ibuprofen instead of aspirin due to the risk of bleeding).
• 🔹 Long shelf life (at least 2-3 years from the date of manufacture).
• 🔹 Possibility of use in children (dosages indicated).

Category	Drug (active ingredient)	Quantity	Notes
Painkillers/antipyretics	Ibuprofen 200 mg or Paracetamol 500 mg	2 packs (20 tablets each)	Ibuprofen also reduces inflammation. Paracetamol is safer for children.
Antihistamines	Cetirizine 10 mg or Loratadine 10 mg	1 package (10 tablets)	To relieve allergic reactions. Suprastin not suitable due to sedative effect.
Antiseptics	Chlorhexidine 0.05%, Iodine 5% or Miramistin spray	1 bottle 100 ml + 1 bottle 50 ml	Iodine should not be used on open wounds - only on the edges.
Dressing materials	Sterile bandages, plasters, hemostatic tourniquet	5 bandages, 2 tourniquets, 20 plasters	The tourniquet must have a pressure release (for example, CAT).
Intestinal preparations	Loperamide 2 mg, Smecta (10 packs)	1 pack of loperamide, 2 packs of smecta	Loperamide is for adults only. Smecta is suitable for children from 1 month.

Please note: the table shows active ingredients, not trade names. This is important because the same drug may be sold under different brands (e.g. Nurofen and Mig 400 - both contain ibuprofen). When purchasing, check the ingredients on the package!

Drugs for chronic diseases: what not to forget

If you or your loved ones have chronic diagnoses, a standard set of medications is useless without specialized drugs. Here's what you need to consider:

• 💉 Diabetes: supply of insulin for 30 days + glucometer with test strips (at least 50 pcs.) + Glucagon in a syringe pen (to relieve hypoglycemia). Insulin in the emergency case should be stored in a thermal container with cooling elements — at temperatures above +25°C it deteriorates within a few hours.
• 🫀 Cardiovascular diseases: nitroglycerin (spray or tablets), beta blockers (Metoprolol), anticoagulants (Warfarin or Rivaroxaban). Important: If you are taking warfarin, add it to your first aid kit. Vikasol (antidote for overdose).
• 🌬️ Asthma/COPD: inhalers (Salbutamol, Beclamethasone) + spacer (if there are children). Check the expiration date on your inhalers - they may not work after the expiration date.
• 🧠 Epilepsy: stock of anticonvulsants (Valproate, Carbamazepine) for 30 days + Diazepam in rectal suppositories (to relieve attacks).

⚠️ Attention: If you are taking medications that require a prescription (eg Tramadol, Clonazepam), discuss with your doctor in advance the possibility of obtaining an emergency supply. Some regions have “reserve prescription” programs for patients with chronic diseases.

For people with allergy to penicillin it is critical to have an alternative antibiotic (e.g. Azithromycin or Ciprofloxacin). If you have anaphylactic shock in the medical history, the first aid kit should have adrenaline in a syringe pen (for example, EpiPen) and clear instructions for use for others.

How to store insulin without refrigeration?

Use thermal containers Frio or MedActiv — they maintain a temperature of +2...+8°C for up to 45 hours. Alternative: cold packs (eg. KoolPack), which are activated when wet. Never freeze insulin - it loses its effectiveness!

Medicines for children: features and dosages

A children's first aid kit in an emergency suitcase requires special attention, since many “adult” drugs are contraindicated or require dosage adjustments. Here's what you need to include:

• 👶 Antipyretics: Paracetamol in syrup (dosage by weight: 10–15 mg/kg) or suppositories (Tsefekon D). Ibuprofen in suspension (5–10 mg/kg). Nimesulide (Nimulid) - only from 12 years old!
• 🤒 Antiemetics: Domperidone (suspension Motilium) - from 1 month. Ondansetron (tablets) - from 2 years.
• 💊 Antihistamines: Fenistil (drops) - from 1 month, Zyrtec (drops) - from 6 months. Tablets Loratadine - from 2 years old.
• 🩹 Local antiseptics: Octenisept (doesn't sting) Bepanten (for burns and cuts). Use iodine and brilliant green with caution - they cause burns on delicate skin.

For infants be sure to add:

• 🍼 Gas pipe and Simethicone (Espumisan) from colic.
• 🦷 Teething gel (Holisal or Kalgel).
• 🧴 Baby diaper cream (Bepanten or Desitin).

⚠️ Attention: If the child takes hormonal drugs (for example, for bronchial asthma), the first aid kit should have a supply for 30 days + a battery-powered nebulizer (for example, Omron MicroAir). Check the compatibility of medications with the inhaler!

All liquid forms of drugs (syrups, drops) must be in original packaging with measuring spoons or syringes. Do not pour them into other containers - this may distort the dosage. For storage, use airtight bags (for example, Ziploc) to avoid leaks.

What is prohibited from putting in a first aid kit (and why)

Some drugs that are often found in home medicine cabinets are not only useless, but also dangerous in conditions of autonomous survival. Here's what to exclude:

• ❌ Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) - thins the blood and can cause bleeding in case of injury. Replace with ibuprofen or paracetamol.
• ❌ Analgin (metamizole sodium) - Banned in most countries due to the risk of agranulocytosis. It is still sold in Russia, but it is better to use safer analogues.
• ❌ Drug mixtures (for example, Citramon, Pentalgin) - contain caffeine and other components that may cause side effects when combined with other drugs.
• ❌ Homeopathic remedies — have no proven effectiveness and take up space.
• ❌ Expired drugs - even if “they still have to work.” For example, adrenaline in expired EpiPen may crystallize and not work.

Also avoid:

• 💊 Antibiotics without a prescription - Improper use can cause resistance or anaphylactic shock. Exception: Azithromycin or Amoxicillin in a minimal dose (only if you know exactly how to use them).
• 🩹 Alcohol solutions for treating wounds - they cause tissue burns and slow down healing. Use chlorhexidine or Miramistin.
• 🧴 Corticosteroid ointment (for example, Hydrocortisone) - without medical supervision can cause skin atrophy.

How to store a first aid kit: 5 rules that will save lives

Improper storage can ruin all efforts to collect a first aid kit. Here critical requirements:

1. Temperature: Most drugs spoil at temperatures above +25°C or below 0°C. Use thermal containers for insulin, epinephrine and antibiotics. In the car, keep the first aid kit in the cabin (not in the trunk!), as there are fewer temperature changes there.
2. Moisture protection: All tablets and powders should be in sealed bags with silica gel (desiccant). Check liquid preparations (syrups, drops) for integrity of packaging once every 3 months.
3. Availability: the first aid kit should be in waterproof container (for example Pelican 1060) and lie in plain sight - not in the back of a closet or under a car seat. In a stressful situation, searching for it should not take more than 10 seconds.
4. Inventory rotation: Replace expired medications once a year. For convenience, keep a table in your phone or on paper with the check dates.
5. Documentation: instructions must be attached to each drug (can be in electronic form on a flash drive). This is especially important for antibiotics and hormonal agents.

For car first aid kit additionally:

• 🚗 Use a bag with moleskin coating — it does not get wet and does not tear.
• 🔋 Add powerbank for charging a glucometer or nebulizer.
• 📄 Keep copies of prescriptions for prescription drugs (in case of check at checkpoints).

What to do if you run out of first aid kit: improvised solutions

In conditions of long-term autonomy, medications may run out and access to a pharmacy will be impossible. Here emergency replacementsthat will help you hold out until help:

• 🌿 Antipyretic: decoction of willow bark (contains salicin - a natural analogue of aspirin). Brew 1 tsp. for 200 ml of water, drink 1/2 cup 3 times a day. Contraindicated if you are allergic to salicylates!
• 🍯 Antiseptic for wounds: honey (natural, unpasteurized) or sugar syrup (1:1 with water). Apply under a bandage for 12–24 hours. Effectiveness proven by research WHO for conditions with limited access to medicine.
• 🧂 Solution for washing wounds: 1 liter of boiled water + 1 tbsp. salt + 1 tsp. soda Alternative to chlorhexidine.
• 🍋 Antiemetic: peppermint infusion (1 tablespoon leaves per 200 ml boiling water) or ginger tea (1/2 teaspoon grated ginger per glass).

⚠️ Attention: Improvised means are temporary measure. For example, willow bark can cause bleeding in case of overdose, and honey can cause anaphylactic shock in allergy sufferers. Always give preference to pharmaceutical drugs if they are available.

If you have chronic disease and your medications have run out, try contacting local medical volunteers or organizations (e.g. Red Cross). In some regions, there are humanitarian aid distribution points where you can get insulin, antibiotics or heart medications.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the first aid kit in the emergency case

Can I take medications without a prescription if I need them for an emergency?

In Russia, the majority of drugs on our list (ibuprofen, paracetamol, loratadine, etc.) are sold without a prescription. However for antibiotics (for example, Amoxicillin), hormonal drugs (prednisolone) and narcotic analgesics (tramadol) prescription required. Alternative:

1. Contact your doctor ahead of time and explain the situation—some clinics will issue prescriptions for a “reserve supply.”
2. Explore list of vital drugs (approved by the government of the Russian Federation annually) - some medications can be obtained free of charge under the compulsory medical insurance policy.
3. For trips abroad, please register doctor's certificate in English indicating the diagnosis and necessary medications.

How often should you update your first aid kit?

Minimum check frequency - once every 6 months. In this case:

• Replace expired medications immediately.
• Check medications in liquid form (syrups, drops) for cloudiness or discoloration - this is a sign of spoilage.
• Insulin and epinephrine have a shelf life of 12–18 months when unopened and 1–3 months after opening.
• Dressing materials (bandages, plasters) lose sterility after 2–3 years, even in original packaging.

Advice: lead Excel table or use apps like Medisafe to track deadlines.

What to do if there is a person with a disability in the family?

In this case, the first aid kit should include:

• 🦽 For people with limited mobility: additional painkillers (Ketorol), anti-decubitus drugs (Argosulfan), catheters (if used).
• 👂 For the hearing impaired: spare batteries for hearing aids + water-repellent covers.
• 👁️ For the visually impaired: audio instructions for medications (can be recorded on a voice recorder), tactile marks on packages (for example, elastic bands with beads).

Be sure to add it to your suitcase copies of medical documents (certificate of disability, extracts from the medical history) and contacts of the attending physician.

Can veterinary drugs be used in emergency situations?

In theory, some veterinary drugs have the same composition as “human” drugs (e.g. Diclofenac for animals and people). However:

• ⚠️ Dosages can vary greatly - veterinary drugs are often more concentrated.
• ⚠️ Excipients (for example, flavors) can cause allergies.
• ⚠️ There is no quality control, as for medical products.

Veterinary medications can be used only if there is no alternative, and you know exactly the composition and dosage. For example, Dexamethasone for animals it is sometimes used in emergency cases, but the risk of side effects is extremely high.

How to pack a first aid kit so that it takes up little space?

Space optimization:

• 📦 Use vacuum bags for dressing materials (bandages, cotton wool).
• 💊 Take the tablets out of the blisters and put them in marked containers with labels (for example, Pill Organizer).
• 🧴 Pour liquid medications (iodine, chlorhexidine) into small bottles with pipettes (for example, from under mascara).
• 📄Scan the instructions and save them in PDF on a flash drive or print in mini format (font 8–10 pt).

Example of compact packaging: a first aid kit for 4 people for 7 days is placed in a container 20×15×10 cm (volume 3 liters).