Stockpiling medication, a guide to help you get started. What we really don’t want to do is wait until there is a panic to start this emergency reserve for medications. However, with the recent outbreaks of viruses I thought it was a good time to revisit this topic. You don’t have to be a dooms day prepper to make emergency preparations and a good stockpile of over-the-counter medications is essential.
Stockpiling Medication Everything You Need to Know
Over the counter medications are used for various reasons in our everyday lives. In a situation where you are unable to make it to a doctor, these are great to have on-hand. Whether it’s for something urgent or just a common cold, these are great to have at all-times. Check out my list of medications that you should start stockpiling right now!
Make sure to check out my other Stockpiling Guides.
You might also want to check out my Prepping for Non-Preppers.
Why Should I Stockpile Medications?
In the event of a natural disaster (or a man-made one), you want to have access to treatment. Emergency responders may not be able to get to you as quickly as you think.
Stockpiling Medications – Storage
How should I store medications that I am stockpiling?
You want to keep your medications in a cool, dark and dry spot. A pantry or kitchen cabinet are great options. I do NOT recommend storing them in your garage.
Expiration Dates on Over the Counter Medications
When you’re stockpiling any medication, over the counter or prescription, you want be aware of the dates. Medications can lose its effectiveness overtime.
—> Pull medications from the back of shelves for later dates.<—
Where to buy medications for stockpiling?
I like to check ads for my local pharmacy. I have also had good luck buying Amazon Basic Brands. The only downside to buying medications online is that you cannot check the expiration dates.
Stock Up on Home and Natural Remedies
Should I stockpile home and natural remedies?
Honestly I would start with natural remedies, supplements and essential oils. Most last longer than medications and don’t have the side-effects.
A good rule of thumb is to have a good supply of both natural and pharmaceutical meds.
SEE: Creating a Natural Pharmacy at Home
Pain Relief Medications
Aleve
Aleve is an anti-inflammatory drug and is used to treat ailments including headaches, inflammation, joint pain and fevers.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug, and similar to naproxen, is used to treat pain-related ailments. There are many benefits to taking ibuprofen, but women who are pregnant should not take it.
Tylenol
Tylenol is used to reduce fevers and pain primarily. While ibuprofen isn’t safe for pregnant women, tylenol is. There are also plenty of tylenol products that are safe for children to consume.
Aspirin
Aspirin is used to reduce pain, get rid of inflammation, and can also lower the risk of heart attacks. Aspirin can also be combined with other medications to enhance the effects.
Orajel
Orajel is a topical pain reducer that is used to treat sore throats and tooth pain.
Medications Stomach-Related Issues
Pepto-Bismol
Pepto-bismol is well-known for relieving digestive issues such as nausea, gas, indigestion and heartburn.
Tums
Tums are used to relieve a sour stomach, gas and heartburn. It is also effective in reducing the symptoms of acid reflux.
Epsom Salt
Can be used internally as a laxative. It can also reduce pain that comes from sore muscles which can occur after frequent vomiting during food poisoning or stomach flu.
See more on uses for Epsom Salt here.
Alka-seltzer
Alka-seltzer is an antacid that helps reduce diarrhea, which can be dangerous if not treated quickly because it can lead to dehydration.
Durolax
Durolax is good to have on hand when there is a need for a laxative. It is highly effective in treating constipation.
Cold and Flu Treatments
NyQuil
NyQuil is a miracle medicine when you are sick and are in desperate need of sleep. Just a small dose of this will relax you, relieve symptoms and help you get the z’s you need!
DayQuil
Similar to Nyquil, it relieves cold symptoms but does not cause drowsiness. It is best to take dayquil in the morning so it will help you get through the day when you don’t have the option to rest.
Zicam
Zicam separates itself from other cold medications because in addition to relieving cold symptoms, it also reduces the length of the cold.
Theraflu
Theraflu is unique because instead of just being a liquid medicine, it is made as a hot tea. This is helpful for people who can’t stomach liquid medications, it also helps the taste!
Elderberry Syrup or Tablets
Elderberry tablets Or syrup can be used to provide fast relief from colds. This is a homeopathic option that you should take right when symptoms begin.
Cough Relief and Decongestants
Mucinex
Mucinex provides relief and helps get rid of mucus stuck in the throat and chest.
Sudafed
Sudafed is a highly-effective medicine that provides short-term relief from congestion and cold symptoms.
Robitussin
Robitussin is commonly used to provide relief from constant coughing and congestion.
Vicks Vaporub
Vicks can be used on the chest, neck and soles of the feet to relieve coughing. This also can help you get sleep when you need to rest and get over a cold quickly
Cepacol
Cepacol are throat-lozenges that are effective in soothing a sore throat and stopping a nasty cough.
Fisherman’s Friend Cough Drops
These are some of the strongest cough drops I’ve personally used but boy do they work!
Allergies
Benadryl
Benadryl is effective in treating sneezing, runny noses, watery eyes and minor allergic reactions. Be careful though, this will make you drowsy! It can be a effective sleep aid too.
Zyrtec
Zyrtec is used to treat allergies and allergic reactions. It is an antihistamine that provides relief almost instantly!
Claritin
Claritin is another great allergy-fighting medication. It is great to have on-hand when a runny nose hits!
Allegra
Another antihistamine that will help fight against allergic reactions. This has been proven to help reactions caused by bug bites.
Benadryl Gel
Anti-itch gel is great against fighting itching caused by bug bites or rashes.
Sleep/Depression/Anxiety/Stress
Be sure to check out my post about Natural Sleep Aids.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a sleep-aid tablet that is also known to relieve anxiety while trying to fall asleep, it also helps you stay asleep throughout the night.
Dramamine
Dramamine is a life saver medicine that helps with anxiety, nausea, vomiting and motion sickness.
St. Johns Wort
St. Johns Wort tablets come from a plant. It has been said that it helps ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, sleep issues and stress.
Also See: Growing & Using St. John’s Wort
Unisom
Unisom is another sleep-aid. It can also help with symptoms of hay fever.
Natrol
Natrol otherwise known as SAMe is effective in treating depression symptoms.
Wounds/Skin Related Issues
Natural Remedies: Calendula Oil (how to make and use it).
Hydro-cortisone
Hydro-cortisone helps relieve itching and rashes. It also can help symptoms of eczema.
Clotrimazole
A cream that helps bacteria associated with yeast infections or athlete’s foot.
Neosporin
Apply to cuts and scrapes and this will help sooth the wound and prevent it from getting infected.
Lidocaine
Lidocaine helps treat itching and minor burns. It focuses on pain receptors which allows the skin to numb to relieve pain and heal quickly.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is effective in treating sun burns. It will sooth the pain and take away the horrible burning sensation!
Stockpiling Medication – Prescriptions
We can’t talk about stockpiling medication without addressing our prescription meds. It is always good to have more than a one month supply for your prescription medications. Many health insurance companies will now cover a 3 month supply. Ask your health care provider about getting a prescription like this.
When is the best time to stockpile medication?
The best answer is now. But don’t wait until people are in a panic! Medications will fly off the shelves without warning or reason. Use your common sense, only get what you really need to build your supply.
I appreciate the amount of work you put into this list. I am stockpiling now but many things are hard to find now in the midst of the pandemic. Thanks for your help.
So, how do you stockpile Rx’s? Most doctors/or insurance companies will not allow for more than one cycle of meds to be purchased, and without those meds, many can’t live! Fortunately, I’m not on any Rx’s, but diabetics need insulin or metformin, those with high blood pressure, etc. require those meds to have ‘normal’ lives.
This is an issue for many who are on “life-giving” medication, and an issue that should be addressed by society.
Also, many of the items listed can be made using herbs that are much more natural and much healthier without all of the toxic and harmful ingredients. Usually made easily or even purchased and using easy to obtain ingredients, many of which are right in our stockpiles and kitchens. I recommend finding recipes for those and making your own “OTC medications”. Example: White willow bark, for which aspirin originated can be purchased at most health food stores, and quite inexpensively.
Example: Homemade “vicks using olive or other carrier oils,)or beeswax for a more vicks-like texture, and a few essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint (use sparingly as can cause burning), rosemary and lavender.
Homemade cough syrup/drops, using a neti pot or steam for congestion…the list goes on and on!
My apologies! I posted the comment before reading the entire post! I do see you suggest herbals over OTC meds, and did address the Rx issue (although most insurance companies will not allow doctors to prescribe several months in advance, particularly meds that are easily sold on the “black market” or illegally like pain meds and anti depressants.
So sorry!!!!
NOW, having read the entire post, THANK YOU. This is pretty complete!
I have a job where sometimes during the Christmas season, I get ‘tips’ from customers. A few years ago, these amounted to quite a nice number, and I used the cash to purchase first aid essentials: bandages, including those for burns, and large ones for large wounds and eyes, and other first aid items that are not easily homemade. Even bought a surgical kit, and a kit for dental work during times of distress when dentists may not be available! Then purchased a field surgical book from the military! So, I am well stocked with those types of items should they be needed by me , family members or neighbors. At the same time, I bought masks, gloves, and other necessary items for emergencies. The nice thing about it was, no one knew I was “prepping”! I just went to my local drugstore, a few times for a couple of weeks and got the needed supplies.
It doesn’t take all that much time or even money to do this: just buy two of whatever you are getting that time. It will add up quickly and before you know, you will have a great stockpile of items that will suit you in case of emergencies or times when the normal avenues of getting medical items/help won’t work