Emergency Information Card: How to Create a Reliable Medication List for Emergencies

Every year, thousands of people are rushed to emergency rooms unconscious or unable to speak. In those critical minutes, paramedics and doctors need to know what medications you’re taking - not what you think you’re taking, but what you’re actually taking. A simple, up-to-date medication list can mean the difference between life and death. It’s not just a piece of paper. It’s your emergency lifeline.

Why Your Medication List Matters

Imagine you’re in a car accident. You’re hurt. You can’t talk. The paramedics find your phone, but it’s locked. They don’t know if you’re on blood thinners, insulin, or heart medication. One wrong drug interaction could kill you. That’s why the FDA and CDC have been pushing for decades: everyone who takes medicine - even one pill a day - needs a clear, current list.

Studies show that 66% of American adults take at least one prescription drug. Nearly half take two or more. And when you’re on five or more medications - common for older adults or those with chronic conditions - the risk of a dangerous interaction skyrockets. In the U.S., medication errors cause about 7,000 deaths each year. Many of those deaths happen because no one knew what the patient was taking.

A 2020 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that patients who brought an updated medication list to the hospital had 37% fewer errors in their treatment. That’s not a small number. That’s life-saving.

What to Include on Your Emergency Medication List

Don’t just write down drug names. You need details. Here’s exactly what to list for every medication:

• Generic name - e.g., “metformin”
• Brand name - e.g., “Glucophage”
• Strength - e.g., “500 mg”
• Dosage form - tablet, capsule, liquid, injection
• Dose - how much you take each time
• Frequency - how often - e.g., “once daily,” “every 8 hours”
• Time of day - “take with breakfast,” “at bedtime”
• Purpose - why you take it - e.g., “for high blood pressure,” “for diabetes”
• Prescribing doctor - name and clinic

And don’t forget the non-prescription stuff:

• Over-the-counter drugs - like ibuprofen, antacids, or sleep aids
• Vitamins and minerals - especially iron, vitamin D, or calcium
• Herbal supplements - garlic pills, fish oil, St. John’s wort
• Traditional or cultural remedies - if you use them

Also include:

• Your allergies - not just “penicillin,” but what happened: “rash,” “swelling,” “trouble breathing”
• Any serious medical conditions - heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure, epilepsy
• Your code status - do you want CPR if your heart stops? (Yes/No)
• Emergency contacts - name, phone, relationship
• Blood type - if you know it

Children need extra details: weight in kilograms, liquid medication concentration (e.g., “100 mg/5 mL”), and exact measurement tools used (spoon, syringe).

Paper vs. Digital: Which Format Works Best?

You have two main choices: paper or phone. Both work - but only if they’re updated.

Paper cards are simple. Print a free template from the CDC or FDA, or use a blank index card. Keep it in your wallet, purse, or taped inside your medicine cabinet. Use pencil - that way, you can erase and rewrite when your meds change. A 2021 study found paper cards were present in 18% of emergency cases, but when they were there, they were accessed 78% of the time. That’s high reliability.

Digital Medical ID is built into your phone. On iPhone: open Health app → tap your profile → Medical ID → toggle “Show When Locked.” Add your meds, allergies, and contacts. On Android: open Phone app → Emergency information → Edit → Add your details. The big advantage? First responders can access it without unlocking your phone. Just tap “Emergency” on the lock screen, then “Medical ID.”

But here’s the catch: 92% of adults own smartphones, but only 32% of unconscious patients with phones had their Medical ID accessed in emergencies. Why? Phones die. Phones break. Phones are left at home. Paper doesn’t need charging.

Best practice? Do both. Keep a paper card in your wallet. Set up your phone’s Medical ID. That way, you cover every scenario.

How to Build Your List - Step by Step

Don’t guess. Don’t rely on memory. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Gather everything. Pull out every pill bottle, liquid container, supplement box, and prescription bag. Don’t miss anything - even that herbal tea you take for sleep.
2. Write down each one. Use the checklist above. Be specific. Write “metformin 500 mg, one tablet twice daily with meals” - not just “diabetes pill.”
3. Check for duplicates. Did your doctor prescribe lisinopril, but your pharmacist gave you a generic version? List both names. Are you taking two different painkillers? Write both.
4. Remove discontinued meds. If you stopped a drug because of side effects, write it down: “Atorvastatin - stopped in Jan 2025 due to muscle pain.”
5. Review with your pharmacist. Take your list to your pharmacy. Pharmacists are trained to spot errors. They’ll catch things you missed - like interactions between your supplements and prescriptions.
6. Share it. Give a copy to your primary doctor, your emergency contact, and your caregiver. If you have a smartwatch or medical alert bracelet, add your info there too.

It takes 15 to 20 minutes the first time. After that, updates take 2 to 3 minutes - just add or cross out a line.

Keep It Updated - Or It’s Useless

A 2023 Reddit thread from nurses and caregivers showed that 83% of emergency responders had seen cases where an outdated list caused harm. One woman’s mother had been switched from insulin glargine to insulin detemir - but her paper list still said “Lantus.” The ER gave her the wrong dose. She spent 36 hours in the hospital.

Your list is only as good as its last update. Make this rule: Update it every time you get a new prescription, stop a drug, or change your dose. Set a monthly reminder on your phone: “Check meds.”

Also, review it at every doctor’s visit. Bring it with you. Ask your doctor: “Is this still right?”

Who Needs This Most?

Everyone should have one. But these groups are at highest risk:

• People over 65 - 89% take at least one prescription drug
• People on five or more medications
• People with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or epilepsy
• People taking blood thinners, antidepressants, or opioids
• People with memory issues or dementia
• Parents of young children on multiple meds

If you fall into any of these groups, your list isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Where to Get Free Templates

You don’t need to pay for this. These are trusted, free templates:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - “My Medications List” - includes space for traditional remedies
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - “My Medicines” form - clean, simple, widely used
• CVS Pharmacy - online wallet card generator - printable and fillable
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - pediatric-specific version

Commercial templates on Etsy cost $2-$5 and offer fancy designs - but they’re not more accurate. Stick with the CDC or FDA versions. They’re clinically validated.

What Could Go Wrong

Some people avoid making lists because they’re afraid of privacy leaks. But here’s the truth: your phone’s Medical ID is locked. No one can see it unless they tap “Emergency.” And paper cards? They’re in your wallet - not online.

Another mistake: writing “as needed” without explaining what that means. “Take Tylenol as needed for pain” isn’t enough. Write: “Take 650 mg every 6 hours if pain is above 5/10.”

And never - ever - write “allergies: penicillin.” Write: “Penicillin - severe rash, swelling of throat, stopped breathing.” That’s the detail that saves lives.

Real Stories - Real Impact

A nurse in New Jersey shared how a patient’s wallet card saved him. He was brought in unconscious after collapsing. His card listed warfarin, a blood thinner. The ER team almost gave him a powerful antibiotic - which can cause fatal bleeding with warfarin. The card stopped them. He lived.

A woman in Florida evacuated during Hurricane Ida. She had a kidney transplant and took six daily medications. Her paper card kept her on track. No delays. No missed doses. No rejection.

But then there’s the flip side: a man in Ohio died after a fall. His phone was cracked. His paper list was 18 months old. He was on a new blood pressure drug. The ER didn’t know. They gave him the old one. His blood pressure crashed.

Your list isn’t a formality. It’s your voice when you can’t speak.

Final Checklist

Before you put this away, ask yourself:

• Is every medication listed - including vitamins and herbs?
• Are doses, times, and purposes clear?
• Are allergies described in detail?
• Is your emergency contact info current?
• Is the list in your wallet and on your phone?
• Did you review it with your pharmacist this month?

If you answered yes to all five - you’re ready. If not - fix it today. Don’t wait for an emergency to remind you.

Next Steps

Right now, open your medicine cabinet. Pull out every bottle. Grab a pen and paper. Start listing. Don’t wait. Don’t think “I’ll do it later.” Later might be too late.

If you’re helping an older parent, a child with chronic illness, or someone with memory problems - help them make this list. Sit with them. Call their pharmacist together. Make it a routine.

This isn’t about paperwork. It’s about control. It’s about safety. It’s about making sure that if something happens - someone knows exactly how to help you.