Ask Dr Apocalypse

[ParamedicPrepper]

Posted on a whim, I hadn't noticed the dates. Maybe I will start a new thread about these type of items/list, it might be of interest.

Lanky Yankee, I've read lot's of Paramedic prepper posts, I will have a reread thanks, though I think most his lists are OTC meds that I know. Was hoping to get some new ideas.

Hi

I have made a list of OTC meds and to be fair there is a large amount of meds you can buy OTC. If it is prescription only you aren't going to get it (legally)

There is pretty much an alternative available OTC for most common POM medicines. For a medicine to become OTC it has to be well tried and tested and be relatively safe and fool proof for the general public to use. The part that usually is affected is the dose.

For example- Ibuprofen is only licensed to be sold in tablets of 200mg in your average supermarket/ shop with each dose being a maximum of 400mg every 6 hours or 1600mg in 24 hours. On prescription the exact same tablets are used but the POM license is for doses of upto 800mg and maximum 3200mg in 24 hours.
Exact same drug but doses are altered to lower risk of overdose or damage being caused should you get it wrong. It also lowers incidence of side effects. Pack sizes are also limited to urge people to seek advice from someone who knows what they are doing about your symptoms and the root cause rather than just keep taking pain relief

But to answer your question i genuinely can not think of a med that is POM only that you cannot find a suitable alternative for OTC. Maybe just a bit of extra knowledge allows you to use OTC drugs to their full extent

Antibiotics may be the only obvious POM but they require a broad stock to cover different infections. Then double that range for people who are allergic to penicillins! Also if someone has anaphylactic reaction to a penicillin you will need adrenaline, hydrocortison, chlorphenamine and fluids and iv start sets to treat the anaphylaxis or they will very quickly perish!! It feels bad enough when you administer a drug and someone has a reaction but you have stuff to reverse reaction, imagine knowing you caused that reaction but have no way of corrwcting it and they die in front of you! Drastic but could happen!

Stronger opiates on prescription but generally codeine is good stuff and will eventually work on severe injuries, 10mg of iv morphine is good but more importantly very quick acting!

There is a range of meds such as adrenaline, chlorphenine, salbutamol and a few others that are POM exempt if used in an emergency situation. If you use someones epipen on them if they are unable to and you genuinely thought you was saving their life you are well within the law to do so!

I am in the process of setting up a site with all of this info plus tons more and a supply platforn with good quality tried and tested cheap kit! I will post when it is up and running but probably a month of writing away yet!!

Overall the knowledge of what is happening is far better to have than the meds and not know when to use them, all the gear and no idea is no good!!

[itsybitsy]

I am in the process of setting up a site with all of this info plus tons more and a supply platforn with good quality tried and tested cheap kit! I will post when it is up and running but probably a month of writing away yet!!

Overall the knowledge of what is happening is far better to have than the meds and not know when to use them, all the gear and no idea is no good!!

We don't allow members to promote their own businesses on the site I'm afraid. if we DO allow it then that's an exception rather than a rule and it has to be discussed and agreed upon by the moderators and, if we were to allow you to go ahead, we would be expecting some kind of benefit for our members such as a discount on purchases in return for allowing you to post a link.

You can by all means put the URL for your blog in your sig and on your profile.

[ParamedicPrepper]

I am in the process of setting up a site with all of this info plus tons more and a supply platforn with good quality tried and tested cheap kit! I will post when it is up and running but probably a month of writing away yet!!

Overall the knowledge of what is happening is far better to have than the meds and not know when to use them, all the gear and no idea is no good!!

We don't allow members to promote their own businesses on the site I'm afraid. if we DO allow it then that's an exception rather than a rule and it has to be discussed and agreed upon by the moderators and, if we were to allow you to go ahead, we would be expecting some kind of benefit for our members such as a discount on purchases in return for allowing you to post a link.

You can by all means put the URL for your blog in your sig and on your profile.

Apologies i did check the rules as thought it may be a rule but could not see anything. I will certainly discuss with an administrator as there will be plenty of scope for discount and offers!!

[Stumpynurse]

Hello Dr Apocalypse,
I was a Nurse for 30 years, so like you I have experience and information I would love to share. Obviously your Knowledge is greater than mine but I am sure you would agree that 30 years in the NHS has hopefully given me enough of a broad base of information and skills to use. I read you would Bug In, although I live in a Town that has some rural aspects I am also 20 miles from one of the Larger Cities in the NW probably not so safe. My question is would you remain at work in a Pandemic situation or retreat to your Family home and ride out the Pandemic. I am now disabled so don't have the dilemma to consider anymore but I think I would have stayed away from the Hospital and isolated my Family and myself. Our Skill set would be in greater need after the event is what I believe , do you agree?

[AlwaysPrepping]

Hi Dr Apocalypse, im not sure if you have answered this yet or i may have missed it but could you please tell me your views on fish antibiotics, are they basically the same as human antibiotics and would they still do the same job. Thanks.

[Deeps]

Hi Dr Apocalypse, im not sure if you have answered this yet or i may have missed it but could you please tell me your views on fish antibiotics, are they basically the same as human antibiotics and would they still do the same job. Thanks.

We've not seen 'the good Doctor' for quite a while so I'm not sure you'll get a reply mate.

[AlwaysPrepping]

Thanks for the heads up Deeps i suppose a bit more research maybe in order with the subject of fish antibiotics. I may even start a thread.

[bobble]

On the research point, i agree. Theres no point in getting a stock of medicines, then finding out they dont work/ make you worse, when it really matters.
You really need to try them before they are needed. I have tried fish antibiotics when doc refused me them for an ear infection (suggested i was poking my finger in my ear becos it was itchy, and thats why it was red and inflamed...no printable comment!) Checked drug reference, dosage and possible side effects online. Worked for me. I took kefir and lactobacillus during and after taking antibiotics and was ok. Ive used myself as a guinea pig on a number of occasions, some successful, some not.
The worst thing on the first occasion was overcoming the brainwashing about "doctor knows best". I felt genuinely naughty/guilty for not trusting the doctor! How sad is that!