OTC Drugs

[Jonas Parker]

There are a good many prescription drugs available "over the counter" in reduced dosages. Many of these are available as "store brands", considerably cheaper than the original brand names. Probably the least expensive line of these "over the counter generics" is the Equate brand from Wal-Mart. I've stocked the following OTC drugs for the use of my wife and myself:

1,000 full-strength aspirin (generic Bayer)
1,000 ibuprophen (generic Motrin)
600 adult daily multi-vitimin tablets
in addition to the bottles already in use - a 1 year supply for us
500 neproxin sodium (generic Aleve)
200 diphenhydramine HCl (generic Benedryl)
50 loperamide (generic Immodium)
2 tubes tooth-ache topical (generic Orajel)
not just for tooth-ache, this can be used as a topical anesthetic.
5 tubes antibiotic ointment (generic Bacitracin)

All of the above are the Wal-Mart Equate brand.

In addition I have:

1 temporary filling repair kit
1 denture repair kit
1 8oz bottle of oil of clove
for temporary tooth-ache treatment
4 lg containers petrolum jelly
16 oz potassium permanganate powder
for use as douche for yeast infections when mixed with water
2 8oz germicidal hand scrub (generic Purel)
10 16oz bottles rubbing alcohol
3 4oz jars chest rub (generic Vicks)
for relief of cold symptoms and treatment of toenail fungus
2 32oz cartons of epsom salts
for use as a laxative and wound soak

Most of the above came from the local "Dollar Store"

I also have some specialized solutions for wound irrigation and suturing acquired here and there (legally) and various prescription drugs which are not OTC hence not on topic here.

Finally, I have three bottles of Potassium Iodate (one each for the wife, the dog, and myself).

If anyone can think of any additional OTC medications that would be good in a SHTF - TEOTWAWKI situation please let me know.

[DrBaboon]

Omeprazole (generic prilosec) is available as 20mg tablets OTC, while it started its life as a Rx medication. It's still available Rx, too -- interestingly at 10mg, 20mg and 40mg casules with delayed-release granules. Many (if not most) pharmaceutical plans have gone to requiring the OTC dose form to be used as if it is a Rx.

Omeprazole is a PPI - proton pump inhibitor. Its main uses are for esophagitis, GERD, gastritis, peptic ulcers. There are other newer Rx PPIs, but omeprazole is the only OTC in the US in that class. It also has a role in treating Helicobacter associated ulcers and gastritis when it is combined with various antibiotics.

I'd also be interested in peptobismal - brand or generic. The active ingredient is bismuth subsalicylate. My interest is for treating certain varieties of "traveler's diarrhea," as well as bismuth subsalicylate being one component of treating Helicobacter pylorii in gastritis and peptic ulcers.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202092.html

Having bismuth subsalicylate AND a PPI, whether or not someone has access to additional Rx antibiotics for presumed/suspected Helicobacter would be desireable. Bismuth subsalicylate is not first line treatment, but it might play a role here.

While there are a wider variety of things you can use diphenhydramine (benadryl) to treat, there are times when a non-sedating/less sedating, longer acting antihistamine is appropriate.

Loratidine is available OTC, and is that kind of antihistamine.

Ranitidine (generic of zantac), cimetidine (generic of tagamet), famotidine (generic of pepcid) are each available at reduced doses OTC. They are H2 blockers, and are used for some of the same reasons as PPI's. PPI's are more potent, and also have a use in Helicobacter that H2 blockers don't have. If I had access to omeprazole, I would probably not buy these in addition to omeprazole unless there were people in the family with known intolerance to different drugs who had need for something to treat an appropriate upper-GI condition.

I don't recall topical hydrocortisone on the list, but I'd add that, too.

Cromolyn nose spray is OTC for nasal allergies. It works to prevent mast cells from dumping histamine and other mediators. Cromolyn by inhalers/nebulizer and cromolyn eye drops remain Rx items.

Naphcon A eye drops (antihistamine) is OTC.

Capsaicin cream is OTC for pain relief. It's used in musculoskeletal pain, neuralgia - particularly post-herpetic or diabetic, and has some mild anti-inflammatory properties.

You have decided to use gentian violet for fungus, which is traditional. But for completeness, I'll mention that a variety of products are OTC which were once Rx -- topical agents for fungal infections, vaginal agents. Clotrimazole, miconazole, ketoconazle, terbinafine are examples with one variety or another of OTC product available.

I haven't been overwhelmed with Abreva's effectiveness with oral-facial cold sore/herpes simplex, but it is OTC.

Primatene inhaler and tablets (different ingredients) are available OTC for asthma, but I'm not enthused about them (a separate discussion in itself). YMMV - if someone really feels the need for an epinephrine inhaler (rather than a different inhaled bronchodilator, or obtaining a Rx for injectable epinephrine - such as an epipen or similar product).

As for primatene tablets, I'd just as soon have plain guaifenesin tablets.

I would not encourage phenazopyridine OTC, which is a urinary tract anesthetic. While it soothes the discomfort with a urine infection, it doesn't resolve the infection.

A few people should not take plant sterols/stanols for elevated cholesterol (IOW - some people are genetically enabled to absorb sterols/stanols and raise their cholesterol). Products such as CholestOff are OTC. Sterols/stanols have been reviewed generally by the FDA, and are sometimes a good choice.

Contraception is a topic that often gets left out of austere medicine discussions, and when it's included, often only includes NFP, condoms, abstinence or other fairly obvious methods. My own bias for prolonged contraception in austere circumstances is not OTC (modern IUDs) and/or involves trained care (vasectomy). However, it's fair to point out that Plan B is available in some states OTC.

http://www.go2planb.com/ForConsumers/Index.aspx

http://www.go2planb.com/ForConsumers/HowToGetIt/Default.aspx

Most states still require Rx's for Plan B.

I know this list goes beyond what most people would include. It might benefit an occassional reader.

If I think of more drugs, I may add them.

If members think of other drugs, please add them and we can discuss them.