Editing First aid kit (section)

===Medication===
Medication can be a controversial addition to a first aid kit, especially if it is for use on public.  It is, however, common for personal or family first aid kits to contain certain medications. Dependent on scope of practice, the main types of medicine are life saving medications, which may be commonly found in first aid kits used by paid or assigned first aiders for members of the public or employees, [[painkillers]], which are often found in personal kits, but may also be found in public provision and lastly symptomatic relief medicines, which are generally only found in personal kits.

'''Life saving'''
*[[Aspirin]]<ref name=tpm/> primarily used for central medical chest pain as an anti-platelet
*[[Epinephrine autoinjector]] (brand name Epipen) – often included in kits for wilderness use and in places such as summer camps, to temporarily reduce airway swelling in the event of anaphylactic shock. Note that epinephrine does not treat the anaphylactic shock itself; it only opens the airway to prevent [[suffocation]] and allow time for other treatments to be used or help to arrive. The effects of epinephrine (adrenaline) are short-lived, and swelling of the throat may return, requiring the use of additional epipens until other drugs can take effect, or more advanced airway methods (such as [[intubation]]) can be established.
*[[Diphenhydramine]] (brand name Benadryl) – Used to treat or prevent anaphylactic shock. Best administered as soon as symptoms appear when impending anaphylactic shock is suspected. Once the airway is restricted, oral drugs can no longer be administered until the airway is clear again, such as after the administration of an epipen. A common recommendation for adults is to take two 25mg pills. Non-solid forms of the drug, such as liquid or dissolving strips, may be absorbed more rapidly than tablets or capsules, and therefore more effective in an emergency.

'''Pain killers'''
*[[Paracetamol]] (also known as acetaminophen) is one of the most common pain-killing medications, as either tablet or syrup.
*Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as [[ibuprofen]], [[naproxen]] or other [[NSAID]]s can be used as part of treating pain from injuries such as [[sprain]]s, [[Strain (injury)|strain]]s and bone fractures.
*[[Codeine]] is both a painkiller and anti-diarrheal.

'''Symptomatic relief'''

* Anti [[diarrhea]] medication such as [[loperamide]] – especially important in remote or third world locations where dehydration caused by diarrhea is a leading killer of children
* [[Oral rehydration therapy|Oral rehydration salts]]
*[[Antihistamines|Antihistamine]], such as [[diphenhydramine]]
*Poison treatments
**Absorption, such as [[activated charcoal]], [[Enterosgel]] and [[Atoxyl]].
**[[Emetic]]s to induce vomiting, such as [[syrup of ipecac]] although first aid manuals now advise against inducing vomiting.
*[[Smelling salts]] ([[ammonium carbonate]])

'''Topical medications'''
*Antiseptics / disinfectants
**Antiseptic fluid, moist wipe or spray – For cleaning and disinfecting a wound. Typically [[benzalkonium chloride]], which disinfects wounds with minimal stinging or harm to exposed tissue. Can also be used as an antibacterial hand wipe for the person providing aid.
***[[Povidone iodine]] is an antiseptic in the form of liquid, swabstick, or towelette. Can be used in a weak dilution of clean water to prepare an irrigation solution for cleaning a wound.
*** [[Hydrogen peroxide]] is often included in home first aid kits, but is a poor choice for disinfecting wounds- it kills cells and delays healing
**[[isopropyl alcohol|Alcohol]] pads – sometimes included for disinfecting instruments or unbroken skin (for example prior to draining a blister), or cleaning skin prior to applying an adhesive bandage. Alcohol should not be used on an open wound, as it kills skin cells and delays healing.
**Medicated antiseptic ointments- for preventing infection in a minor wound, after it is cleaned. Not typically used on wounds that are bleeding heavily. Ointments typically contain one, two, or all three of the following antibacterial ingredients (those containing all three are typically called 'triple-antibiotic ointment') [[neomycin]], [[polymyxin B]] sulfate or [[bacitracin]] zinc.
*Burn gel – a water-based gel that acts as a cooling agent and often includes a mild anaesthetic such as [[lidocaine]] and, sometimes, an antiseptic such as [[tea tree oil]]
*Anti-itch ointment
**[[Hydrocortisone]] cream or injection
**[[antihistamine]] cream containing [[diphenhydramine]]
**Calamine lotion, for skin inflammations.
*[[Antifungal medication|Anti-fungal]] cream
*[[Tincture of benzoin]] – often in the form of an individually sealed swabstick or ampule, protects the skin and aids the adhesion of adhesive bandages, such as moleskin, [[Band-Aid]]s, or wound closure ('butterfly') strips. Benzoin swabsticks are very prone to leaking and making a mess when kept in portable first aid kits; ampules are a more durable option. If swabsticks are used, it is advisable to keep them in a sealed zip lock bag.