First Aid Kit

Dear Oxford College Student,

Minor emergencies and illnesses may occur at any time. We recommend you assemble the following medications and items and bring them with you.

The specified brand name medications mentioned are merely suggestions. They may be substituted with comparable generic products. Do not take any of the medications listed below if allergic to them.

First Aid Kit

Supplies

• Digital thermometer
• Band-aids in assorted sizes
• Bandage supplies: Gauze pads (4 x 4s), Gauze - 3 inch roll, Paper tape
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• ACE bandage for sprains (3 inch for ankle/wrist, 4 inch for knee)
• Ice bag for sprains, bee/wasp stings (zip lock bags work very well)
• Sunscreen

Meds

• Pain reliever: ibuprofen (ADVIL, MOTRIN), acetaminophen (TYLENOL)
• Antiseptic skin cleanser: (hydrogen peroxide or Betadine)
• Antibiotic cream or ointment (Polysporin, Neosporin)
• Antihistamine for itching, stings, seasonal allergies (Benadryl, Allegra, Zyrtec, Claritin)
• Hydrocortisone cream for skin rashes, itching (Cortaid)
• Antacid tablets or liquid for upset stomach
• (Tums, Mylanta)
• Decongestant (Sudafed)
• Cough expectorant (plain Robitussin, plain Mucinex) AVOID NYQUIL
• Cough expectorant with suppressant (Robitussin DM, Mucinex DM) AVOID NYQUIL

General Information about Medications

Many health problems that occur throughout life are minor and self-limiting rather than life threatening.  Most of these ailments cause annoying symptoms. Treatment is often aimed at relieving the uncomfortable symptoms and is referred to as symptomatic relief. Many nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or medications are available without a doctor's prescription. These drugs can be used safely by most people as long as label instructions are closely and accurately followed.

Prescription medicines are prescribed by various health care providers (e.g., physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, etc.) for individuals who have health problems requiring specific medical evaluation and supervision.

DO

• Take all medication as directed on the label
• If an antibiotic is prescribed, take the total number of capsules or tablets prescribed. An incomplete course of antibiotics may only suppress and not kill the organisms, or other resistant organisms may emerge.
• Take single ingredient medicines whenever possible. These drugs allow more selectivity in treating symptoms. Single ingredient medicines are drugs such as aspirin and acetaminophen. Multiple ingredient medicines are drugs such as Vicks Nyquil and Robitussin CF.
• Read thoroughly all product information about the medicine.
• Observe all warnings about side effects and interactions with other drugs or food.
• Become familiar with the ingredients in each medicine taken. Taking more than one medicine containing the same ingredient increases the possibility of overdose.
• Know, by name, any or all medicines taken.
• Store all medicines in a cool, dry place.
• Consult a health care provider if any unusual side effect is experienced. Body chemistry varies from person to person. Therefore, the same medicine may affect people differently, even exerting an adverse effect on some individuals.

DON'T

• DO NOT take any of the medications suggested in the First-Aid Kit if allergic to them. Allergies to medicines are not outgrown.
• DO NOT take medicines or drugs unnecessarily. As stated previously, many medicines or drugs relieve symptoms but do not cure the problem. Therefore, if the symptoms are tolerable, avoid medicine.
• DO NOT take medication prescribed for others. Medicine prescribed for another person may not be appropriate.
• DO NOT take outdated or deteriorated medicines. They may be ineffective and even harmful.
• DO NOT take prescription medicine left over from a previous illness. It may not be the appropriate medicine for the present problem.