Which medications to restock for back-to-school season

Key takeaways

• Stocking up on medications before school starts can help you prepare for common childhood illnesses like colds, flu, and allergies, which spread more easily in schools due to close contact and shared objects.
• Over-the-counter medications to keep on hand include fever reducers like ibuprofen (Advil), decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), cough suppressants like dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec).
• If your child has asthma or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), make sure you have refills of their inhalers or stimulant medications before the school year begins.

Overview

When your child is starting a new school year, there are a lot of things to prepare for the year ahead. Alongside everything else, worries about your child’s health may be cropping up, especially as flu season approaches.

Getting ready for the back-to-school season now by stocking your medicine cabinet with all the medications you might expect to need throughout the year can help ease your mind. Let’s take a look at some of the common drugs you might want to keep stocked for the school year.

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Cold and flu meds

No one looks forward to cold and flu season, but it may hit harder if you have a child in school. Research suggests that influenza outbreaks may be more common in highly populated areas like schools and daycares. This is due to several factors:

• Proximity: Students sit near each other throughout the day.
• Shared objects: Desks, books, and pencils may all help transmit the virus.
• More time indoors: Winter weather may mean students spend more time indoors near one another.
• Lowered immune systems: Young children may have immune systems that are less developed to fight off infections.

You can stock various common over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu meds in your home to be prepared for these illnesses in advance. These may include the following:

• Fever medications: Drugs that may help lower fevers and reduce headaches include ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve).
• Decongestants: Decongestant medications can help with a stuffy nose by reducing swelling in your nasal passages. These include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine.
• Anti-coughing drugs: Cough suppressants, or antitussives, can help reduce coughs. One example is dextromethorphan (Robitussin).
• Mucus thinners: Drugs called expectorants can thin your mucus, making it easier to cough up. These include guaifenesin (Mucinex).
• Throat lozenges: These can help ease throat pain. You suck on them throughout the day to soothe a sore throat.

Medical perspective

How can I prevent colds and the flu when my child is in school?

“The best way to prevent colds and the flu when your child is in school is to encourage proper handwashing and by doing your best to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands.”

— Andrew Perugini, PharmD

Note: Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

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If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.

Allergy medications

Allergic rhinitis, the condition that causes allergic reactions to pollen, dust mites, and pet dander, is the most common chronic condition in childhood. While you may associate allergies with spring and summer, seasonal allergies can also affect people in winter due to dust mites and mold when we spend more time indoors.

To combat this, you can keep a supply of OTC antihistamines to reduce allergy symptoms. Common examples include diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec).

If your child has a severe allergy, such as a nut allergy, it’s important to make sure you have a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors, commonly known by the brand name EpiPen, in case of emergency.

Inhalers for asthma

Asthma is another condition that is very common in childhood. It causes coughing, wheezing, and inflamed airways known as asthma attacks. These are typically managed with inhalers containing medications called bronchodilators, which help widen your airways. One common example is albuterol (ProAir HFA).

If your child has asthma, they may also be prescribed long-term medications, like long-acting bronchodilators or corticosteroids, to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of flare-ups. It’s good to have a refill of these for your child to carry in school in case of emergencies.

ADHD drugs

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in children and young people, and it’s often first diagnosed when a child starts school and has difficulty focusing or sitting still. Doctors typically prescribe stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin) to manage ADHD.

Making sure you have refills for these medications before school starts can help set your child up for success in the coming year.

Online care to stock up on meds

When you’re preparing for your child to go back to school, there’s a lot to remember, including new supplies and clothes for the year. Stocking up on medications is just another item on your to-do list

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

What you can do today

Back-to-school season is a good time to take a look at your medicine cabinet and see if there is anything you need to stock up on. The following tips can help:

• Look at what you have: Take a look at what you already have that you won’t need to stock up on.
• Make a medication schedule: Look at all the medications your child may need throughout the year and plan dosage, administration, and refill dates in advance.
• Check expiry dates: You may have plenty of antihistamines, for example, but you may not know when they expire. Checking expiry dates of what you do have can help you see what you may need in the near future.

If you have any concerns about your child’s medications, reach out to a doctor or pharmacist.

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Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.