What over-the-counter medicines should I keep for emergencies?

Ready.gov recommends keeping pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, and laxatives as part of a basic emergency supply kit. Beyond these, consider adding antihistamines for allergic reactions, electrolyte replacement powder for dehydration, cough suppressant, and topical antibiotic ointment. Stock the forms and strengths your household actually uses, and check age restrictions before buying for children.

Over-the-Counter Medicines for Emergency Preparedness: What to Keep, How to Store It, and When to Replace It

Q: How should I store over-the-counter medicines for emergencies?

Store OTC medicines at controlled room temperature, which the U.S. Pharmacopeia defines as 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, in a dry location away from direct light. Avoid bathrooms, which are too humid, and car glove compartments, where temperatures swing widely. Keep medicines in their original packaging so you always have the Drug Facts label, expiration date, and lot number.

Q: Can I give aspirin to a child during an emergency?

No. The FDA requires aspirin labels to warn that children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should not take aspirin or products containing salicylates, because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead, following the age and weight guidelines on the product label. Ibuprofen is not FDA-approved for children under 6 months.

Q: How often should I check and rotate my emergency OTC supply?

Check your emergency OTC supply every six months. Compare the expiration dates against the calendar, move anything expiring in the next three months into your household medicine cabinet for daily use, and replace it with a fresh purchase. This rotation keeps your emergency supply current without waste. A good anchor is to check when you change your smoke alarm batteries or adjust your clocks.

Planning guidance, not medical advice

This page helps you plan an emergency supply of over-the-counter medicines. It does not provide medical advice, clinical instruction, or treatment recommendations. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or specialist about your specific medications, conditions, and devices before making any changes to your medical routine or supply.

What this guide covers

The medicines pharmacies sell without a prescription that are worth keeping before the pharmacy closes.

When a storm knocks out power for three days, when a stomach bug tears through the household at two in the morning, when a headache hits and the nearest open pharmacy is forty minutes away, the household that already has a small, well-chosen supply of over-the-counter medicines handles the situation quietly. The household that does not has a new problem on top of whatever else is happening.

This guide walks through the categories of OTC medicine worth keeping, how to store them so they stay effective, the age restrictions you need to know before giving anything to a child, and a rotation system that keeps your supply current without waste.

What this page does not cover: Prescription medications (see Prescription Preparedness), first-aid supplies and wound care techniques (see First Aid Certification), or clinical guidance on dosage or treatment. This is a stocking and storage guide, not a medical reference.

Building your supply

Seven categories worth keeping

Ready.gov recommends that every household emergency kit include "non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives."¹ The CDC emergency kit checklist adds "medications (7-day supply) and medical items."² The categories below cover those basics and add a few more that experienced households wish they had thought of sooner.

For each category, buy the form and strength your household actually uses. If your household takes the store-brand ibuprofen every time, stock that. If your child takes a particular liquid acetaminophen, stock exactly that. An emergency is not the time to figure out a new product.

Pain relief and fever reduction

Acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol and its generics) and ibuprofen (the active ingredient in Advil, Motrin, and their generics) are the two workhorses. They reduce fever and relieve the kinds of pain that come up in daily life: headaches, muscle aches, toothaches, menstrual cramps.

Keeping both gives you flexibility. Acetaminophen does not irritate the stomach lining the way NSAIDs can, so it suits people with stomach sensitivity. Ibuprofen reduces inflammation as well as pain, which acetaminophen does not. Your pharmacist can help you decide which to reach for in different situations.

What to know about acetaminophen: The FDA requires a liver warning on every OTC acetaminophen product. Severe liver damage may occur if more than the labeled maximum is taken in 24 hours, if it is taken with other products containing acetaminophen, or if the person has three or more alcoholic drinks per day while using it.³ Multiple products in the medicine cabinet may contain acetaminophen without being obvious from the brand name. Read every label.

For households with children: Stock the correct children's formulation at the correct concentration. Children's liquid acetaminophen and children's liquid ibuprofen are dosed by weight, not by age alone. Ibuprofen is not FDA-approved for children under 6 months of age.⁴ Ask your pediatrician which products and concentrations to keep on hand.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines treat allergic reactions: sneezing, itchy eyes, hives, and the swelling that comes from insect stings. During and after disasters, people encounter allergens they normally would not: mold from flooding, dust from debris, unfamiliar plants during displacement. Having an antihistamine on hand means you can manage a reaction without a pharmacy trip.

Diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in Benadryl and its generics) is a first-generation antihistamine that works quickly and causes drowsiness. Loratadine (the active ingredient in Claritin and its generics) and cetirizine (the active ingredient in Zyrtec and its generics) are second-generation antihistamines that cause less drowsiness. Stock whichever your household tolerates well.

For households with children: Antihistamines are not recommended for children under 2 without a healthcare provider's guidance.⁴ Stock children's formulations separately if your household needs them, and confirm age and weight guidelines with your pediatrician.

Digestive relief

Digestive trouble is one of the most common problems during disruptions. Stress, unfamiliar water, changes in diet, and spoiled food all contribute. Ready.gov specifically names anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, and laxatives as emergency supply basics.¹

Loperamide (the active ingredient in Imodium and its generics) manages diarrhea. Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol and its generics) manages nausea, heartburn, indigestion, and diarrhea. Antacids (calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide) neutralize stomach acid. A mild laxative addresses constipation, which is just as common as diarrhea when routines and diets change abruptly.

Note about bismuth subsalicylate: Products containing bismuth subsalicylate carry the same Reye's syndrome warning as aspirin.⁵ The FDA requires a warning that they should not be given to children or teenagers who have or are recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms. Check the label and talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about any product for a child.

Electrolyte replacement

When someone loses fluids through vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating in heat, plain water alone does not replace the electrolytes the body needs. Oral rehydration solutions are designed to restore that balance. The CDC and the World Health Organization both recognize oral rehydration therapy as the first-line treatment for mild to moderate dehydration.⁶

Oral rehydration salt (ORS) packets store well, weigh almost nothing, and last for years unopened. They are mixed with clean water when needed. Pedialyte and similar products are available for children. Stock both the adult and pediatric versions if your household includes young children.

Why not sports drinks? Sports drinks contain far more sugar and far less sodium than an oral rehydration solution. They are designed for athletes losing sweat during exercise, not for someone losing fluids to illness. In a true dehydration situation, ORS packets do the job that sports drinks do not.

Cough and cold relief

A persistent cough that keeps someone from sleeping compounds every other problem during a disruption. A cough suppressant containing dextromethorphan can provide enough relief for rest. An expectorant containing guaifenesin helps thin mucus when congestion makes breathing uncomfortable.

Stock single-ingredient products rather than combination products whenever possible. Single-ingredient products let you treat only the symptom that is actually present, and they reduce the risk of accidentally doubling an active ingredient across two different products.

For households with children: The FDA recommends that OTC cough and cold products not be given to children under 2 years of age because of the risk of serious side effects. Manufacturers voluntarily label these products "do not use in children under 4 years of age."⁷ For young children with cold symptoms, the FDA suggests a cool-mist humidifier, saline nose drops, and plenty of fluids instead.⁷

Topical treatments

Small cuts, scrapes, and insect bites happen more often during disruptions, when people are working outside, cleaning debris, or sheltering in unfamiliar places. A few topical products handle these situations without requiring a clinic visit.

Antibiotic ointment (such as bacitracin or a triple-antibiotic ointment) helps prevent infection in minor wounds. Hydrocortisone cream (1%) soothes itching from insect bites, poison ivy, and minor skin irritation. An antifungal cream addresses athlete's foot and similar conditions that can develop in damp, confined sheltering environments.

Calamine lotion is useful for widespread itching. Sunscreen is not a medicine, but it belongs alongside these topicals in any emergency supply that may involve extended outdoor time.

A note about aspirin

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a useful medicine for adults. Some adults take it daily under a doctor's supervision for cardiovascular reasons. If anyone in your household takes aspirin as directed by their physician, keep an adequate supply on hand just as you would any other daily medication.

However, aspirin carries a specific risk for anyone under 19. The FDA requires a Reye's syndrome warning on all aspirin and salicylate products: children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should not take these products.⁵ Reye's syndrome is rare but can cause serious brain and liver damage.

If your household includes anyone under 19, keep aspirin stored separately from the children's medicines and clearly labeled. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever in children and teenagers, following the age and weight guidelines on the product label. When in doubt, call your pharmacist.

Keeping your supply effective

How to store OTC medicines so they work when you need them

A medicine that has degraded from heat, humidity, or light may look exactly the same as a fresh one. The difference shows up only when it does not work. Proper storage is not fussy: it means keeping medicines in a reasonable environment and away from the two or three places in a home where conditions are worst.

Temperature

The U.S. Pharmacopeia defines "controlled room temperature" as 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 25 degrees Celsius), with brief excursions permitted between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.⁸ Most OTC medications are tested and labeled for storage at these conditions. In practical terms, this means any climate-controlled room in a home works fine.

Two places to avoid: the bathroom, where shower steam and temperature swings are routine, and a car's glove compartment, where temperatures can exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit in summer and drop below freezing in winter. MedlinePlus specifically warns against both.⁹

Moisture and light

Humidity breaks down many medications faster than heat does. A bedroom closet shelf, a hallway linen closet, or a kitchen cabinet away from the stove and sink all work well. Avoid any cabinet directly above an appliance that generates steam.

Keep medicines in their original containers. The packaging is designed to protect the product from light and moisture. Transferring pills into a different container removes the Drug Facts label, the expiration date, and the lot number, all of which you need.

Childproofing

Store all medications out of the reach and sight of children, in a cabinet with a child-resistant latch or lock.⁹ This includes vitamins and supplements. Emergency supplies are not an exception to this rule. A locked container or a high shelf in a closet keeps the supply accessible to adults and invisible to children.

After a flood or fire

The FDA recommends discarding any medication that has come into contact with flood or contaminated water, even if the container was sealed with a screw-top cap, snap lid, or dropper.¹⁰ Medications exposed to extreme heat from a fire should also be discarded. Do not attempt to salvage them. If a life-saving medication was exposed and no replacement is available, contact your pharmacist or poison control for specific guidance before using it.¹⁰

Keeping your supply current

The rotation system that prevents waste

A supply that expired eight months ago is not a supply. The point of rotation is to make sure the medicines in your emergency kit are always within their labeled shelf life, without throwing money away on unused products.

Understand the expiration date

The FDA defines a drug's expiration date as "the time period during which the product is known to remain stable, which means it retains its strength, quality, and purity when it is stored according to its labeled storage conditions."⁸ Once the expiration date has passed, there is no guarantee the medicine will be safe and effective.¹¹ The date applies only when the product has been stored according to the label. A bottle of acetaminophen that spent a summer in a hot garage may have degraded before its printed date.

The six-month check

Twice a year, pull your emergency supply out and look at every expiration date. A good anchor is the same day you check your smoke alarm batteries, change your clocks, or do any other semi-annual household task you already remember.

Anything expiring in the next three months moves into your household medicine cabinet for everyday use. Replace it with a fresh purchase on your next store trip. This way, nothing is thrown away unused, and the emergency supply is always current.

What to discard

MedlinePlus advises discarding any medicine that has changed color, texture, or smell, or any pills that stick together, are cracked, chipped, or are harder or softer than normal, even if the product has not yet expired.⁹

For safe disposal, use a drug take-back location at a pharmacy, hospital, or law enforcement facility. If no take-back program is available, the FDA recommends mixing the medicine with something unappealing like coffee grounds or used cat litter, sealing it in a container, and placing it in the household trash.¹¹ A small number of medications are on the FDA's "flush list" and may be flushed to prevent accidental poisoning; check the label or ask your pharmacist.

Add it to your medication list. Every OTC medicine in your emergency supply belongs on your household medication list. If a paramedic, emergency room nurse, or pharmacist asks what you have been taking, the list is what they need to see. It includes everything: prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What OTC medicines should I keep for emergencies?

Ready.gov recommends keeping pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, and laxatives as part of a basic emergency supply kit.¹ Beyond those, consider adding antihistamines for allergic reactions, electrolyte replacement packets for dehydration, cough suppressant, and topical antibiotic ointment. Stock the forms and strengths your household already uses, and check age restrictions before buying anything intended for children.

How should I store OTC medicines for emergencies?

Store them at controlled room temperature (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit) in a dry location away from direct light.⁸ Avoid bathrooms, which are too humid, and car glove compartments, where temperatures swing widely.⁹ Keep medicines in their original packaging so you always have the Drug Facts label, expiration date, and lot number.

Are expired OTC medicines safe to use?

The FDA states that once the expiration date has passed, there is no guarantee that the medicine will be safe and effective.¹¹ The expiration date is the manufacturer's guarantee that the product retains its labeled strength, quality, and purity when stored according to label conditions.⁸ Replace medicines before they expire to keep your emergency supply reliable. See Expired Medication: What the Date Means and What to Do for a deeper look at this topic.

Can I give aspirin to a child during an emergency?

The FDA requires aspirin labels to warn that children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should not take aspirin or products containing salicylates, because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.⁵ Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead, following the age and weight guidelines on the product label. Ibuprofen is not FDA-approved for children under 6 months of age.⁴

How often should I check and rotate my emergency OTC supply?

Check every six months. Compare expiration dates against the calendar, move anything expiring in the next three months into your household medicine cabinet for daily use, and replace it with a fresh purchase. This rotation keeps your supply current without waste. Anchor the check to another semi-annual task you already do, like checking your smoke alarm batteries.

Sources

1. Ready.gov. "Build A Kit." U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Accessed September 4, 2026. ready.gov/kit
2. CDC. "Emergency Kit Checklist." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed September 4, 2026. stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/23951
3. FDA. "Acetaminophen: What You Should Know About Using Acetaminophen Safely." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed September 4, 2026. fda.gov/drugs/.../acetaminophen
4. FDA. "Should You Give Kids Medicine for Coughs and Colds?" U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed September 4, 2026. fda.gov/consumers/.../should-you-give-kids-medicine-coughs-and-colds
5. FDA. "Labeling for Oral and Rectal Over-the-Counter Drug Products Containing Aspirin and Nonaspirin Salicylates; Reye's Syndrome Warning. Final Rule." 68 FR 18861. April 17, 2003. Accessed September 4, 2026. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12701599
6. CDC. "Managing Acute Gastroenteritis Among Children: Oral Rehydration, Maintenance, and Nutritional Therapy." MMWR Recommendations and Reports, Vol. 52, No. RR-16. November 21, 2003. Accessed September 4, 2026. cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5216.pdf
7. FDA. "Use Caution When Giving Cough and Cold Products to Kids." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed September 4, 2026. fda.gov/drugs/.../use-caution-when-giving-cough-and-cold-products-kids
8. FDA. "Expiration Dates: Questions and Answers." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed September 4, 2026. fda.gov/drugs/.../expiration-dates-questions-and-answers
9. MedlinePlus. "Storing Your Medicines." U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed September 4, 2026. medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000534.htm
10. FDA. "Safe Drug Use After a Natural Disaster." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed September 4, 2026. fda.gov/drugs/.../safe-drug-use-after-natural-disaster
11. FDA. "Don't Be Tempted to Use Expired Medicines." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed September 4, 2026. fda.gov/drugs/.../dont-be-tempted-use-expired-medicines

Who to contact

Your pharmacist: The first call for questions about OTC medicines, age restrictions, interactions with prescription medications, and safe storage. Most pharmacies accept phone questions at no charge.

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 (24/7, free, confidential). Call for any concern about accidental ingestion, wrong dosage, or a reaction to an OTC medicine.

Your pediatrician: For age-specific guidance on OTC medicines for children, especially infants and children under 4.

Your prescribing physician: If anyone in the household takes prescription medications, check with their prescriber before adding OTC medicines to the emergency supply, since some interactions exist.

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

Benjamin Franklin

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Over-the-Counter Medicines for Emergency Preparedness