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Medical · Guide

Medications to stock for survival situations (top 10)

Ten medications to stock, five antibiotics plus OTC and add-on drugs, with the conditions each one is used for.

Quick facts

Antibiotics
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • doxycycline
  • amoxicillin-clavulanate
  • metronidazole
  • azithromycin
OTC
  • Ibuprofen 200mg
  • acetaminophen 500mg
  • diphenhydramine 25mg
Add-ons
Naloxone HCL 4mg nasal spray, ivermectin 3mg
Penicillin allergy
Azithromycin
MRSA
Doxycycline
Source
Jase Case, online medical intake form

When a pharmacy or doctor is out of reach, a well-stocked medicine cabinet is what you have to work with. In times of crisis, access to healthcare may be limited, making it vital to have the right medications on hand to treat a variety of ailments. Below is a list of the top ten medications you should consider stocking for their versatility and importance in survival situations.

What These 10 Medications Can Help With

Each medication is listed below this list with applicable uses.

Having a well-rounded selection of medications is smart if you want to be prepared in survival situations. These ten medications cover a broad spectrum of medical needs, from infections to pain relief, ensuring you can handle a variety of health issues even when medical help is not readily available. Here’s a comprehensive look at what these medications can help with:

  • Urinary tract infections (Ciprofloxacin, Amoxicillin-Clavulanate)
  • Kidney infections (Ciprofloxacin)
  • Prostatitis (Ciprofloxacin)
  • Bone and joint infections (Ciprofloxacin)
  • Infectious diarrhea (Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin)
  • Intra-abdominal infections (Ciprofloxacin, Amoxicillin-Clavulanate, Metronidazole)
  • Typhoid fever (Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin)
  • Meningitis (Ciprofloxacin)
  • Bioterrorism infections such as anthrax and plague (Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline)
  • Skin and soft tissue infections (Doxycycline, Amoxicillin-Clavulanate, Metronidazole)
  • Ear and sinus infections (Doxycycline, Azithromycin, Amoxicillin-Clavulanate)
  • Pneumonia (Doxycycline, Azithromycin, Amoxicillin-Clavulanate)
  • Tularemia (Doxycycline)
  • Malaria (Doxycycline)
  • Lyme disease (Doxycycline)
  • MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) (Doxycycline)
  • Amoebas (Metronidazole)
  • C. diff diarrhea, only when vancomycin or fidaxomicin cannot be had (Metronidazole)
  • Tetanus (Metronidazole)
  • Sexually transmitted diseases (Metronidazole, Azithromycin)
  • Respiratory infections (Azithromycin)
  • Throat infections (Azithromycin, Amoxicillin-Clavulanate)
  • Dental infections (Amoxicillin-Clavulanate)
  • Bite wounds (Amoxicillin-Clavulanate)
  • Fever reduction (Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen)
  • Pain relief (Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen)
  • Allergic reactions (Diphenhydramine)
  • Hives (Diphenhydramine)
  • Insomnia (Diphenhydramine)
  • Motion sickness (Diphenhydramine)
  • Nausea and vomiting - Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
  • Opioid overdose (Naloxone)
  • Parasitic infections such as scabies and lice (Ivermectin)

By stocking these essential medications, you can ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared for a wide range of medical issues in any survival scenario.

You can purchase these meds online today

All you need to do is fill out a medical intake form and the prescriptions are fulfilled and shipped direct.

Medications when you need them.

Ciprofloxacin

Available Standard in the Jase Case

Uses:

  • Urinary tract infections
  • Kidney infections
  • Prostatitis
  • Bone and joint infections
  • Infectious diarrhea
  • Intra-abdominal infections
  • Bioterrorism infections (anthrax, plague)
  • Typhoid fever
  • Meningitis
Importance

Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that works against a wide range of serious infections, including anthrax and plague. It can also cause tendon rupture, nerve damage, and mental side effects that may be permanent, so for a simple UTI, sinus infection, or bronchitis reach for another antibiotic first and save cipro for when nothing else fits.

Doxycycline

Available Standard in the Jase Case

Uses:

  • Skin and soft tissue infections
  • Ear and sinus infections
  • Pneumonia
  • Bioterrorism infections (anthrax, plague, tularemia)
  • Malaria
  • Lyme disease
  • MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
Importance

Doxycycline is another versatile antibiotic, capable of treating numerous bacterial infections, tropical diseases like malaria, and even bioterrorism threats. Its ability to treat MRSA adds to its critical value.

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (generic for Augmentin®)

Available Standard in the Jase Case

Uses:

  • Skin infections
  • Sinus infections
  • Throat infections
  • Dental infections
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Pneumonia
  • Bite wounds
  • Intra-abdominal infections
Importance

This antibiotic combination is highly effective for common and serious bacterial infections, making it a must-have for treating various ailments in survival scenarios.

Metronidazole

Available Standard in the Jase Case

Uses:

  • Amoebas
  • Skin infections
  • Intra-abdominal infections
  • C. diff diarrhea
  • Tetanus
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
Importance

Metronidazole is essential for treating anaerobic infections and gastrointestinal issues. Its effectiveness against specific parasitic infections and C. diff diarrhea makes it a valuable addition.

Azithromycin

Available Standard in the Jase Case

Uses:

  • Respiratory infections
  • Ear and throat infections
  • Infectious diarrhea
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Typhoid fever
Importance

Azithromycin is crucial for those allergic to penicillin. Its wide range of uses, particularly in respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, makes it an essential antibiotic for your stockpile.

What about shelf life?

Check this out: Beyond the Label: The Surprising Shelf Life of Medications

Ibuprofen 200mg (OTC)

Uses:

  • Fever reduction
  • Pain relief
Importance

Ibuprofen is a readily available over-the-counter medication essential for managing pain and inflammation. It's crucial for reducing fevers and relieving discomfort in various situations.

Acetaminophen 500mg (OTC)

Uses:

  • Fever reduction
  • Pain relief
Importance

Acetaminophen is a non-NSAID pain reliever and fever reducer, and the fallback for anyone who cannot take NSAIDs. Stay under 4,000 mg in 24 hours from all sources, since many cold and pain products also contain it. More than that can cause fatal liver damage.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25mg (OTC)

Uses:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Hives
  • Insomnia
  • Motion sickness
  • Nausea/Vomiting
Importance

Diphenhydramine is a versatile antihistamine for hives, itching, and mild allergic reactions, and it helps with insomnia and motion sickness. It does not stop anaphylaxis. Trouble breathing, throat or tongue swelling, or faintness after a sting, food, or drug calls for epinephrine right away.

Naloxone HCL 4mg nasal spray

Available as an add on in the Jase Case

Uses:

  • Opioid overdose
Importance

Naloxone is a life-saving medication in cases of opioid overdose. In emergency situations where medical help might be delayed, having naloxone on hand can mean the difference between life and death. The 4 mg nasal spray has been sold over the counter since 2023, so you can also pick it up at any pharmacy without a prescription.

Ivermectin 3mg

Available as an add on in the Jase Case

Uses:

  • Parasitic infections (e.g., scabies, lice)
Importance

Ivermectin is essential for managing parasitic infections, particularly in survival situations where sanitation may be compromised. Its effectiveness against a range of parasites makes it a crucial addition to your medicine kit.

By stocking these essential medications, you can ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared for a wide range of medical issues in any survival scenario.

SEE ALL AVAILABLE MEDS (to purchase online)

Questions this answers

Tap a question for the short answer.

What medications should I stock for emergencies?

My top ten are five antibiotics, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, amoxicillin-clavulanate, metronidazole, and azithromycin, plus ibuprofen 200mg, acetaminophen 500mg, and diphenhydramine 25mg over the counter. Naloxone HCL 4mg nasal spray and ivermectin 3mg round out the list as add-ons.

What antibiotics should a prepper have?

Five cover a broad range: ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, amoxicillin-clavulanate, metronidazole, and azithromycin. Between them they handle urinary, skin, sinus, respiratory, dental, and intra-abdominal infections, infectious diarrhea, and bioterrorism threats like anthrax and plague. All five come standard in the Jase Case.

Which antibiotic treats a urinary tract infection?

Ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin-clavulanate are the two on my list used for urinary tract infections. For a simple UTI reach for another antibiotic first and save cipro for when nothing else fits. Ciprofloxacin also covers kidney infections and prostatitis.

What is doxycycline used for?

Doxycycline is used for skin and soft tissue infections, ear and sinus infections, pneumonia, malaria, Lyme disease, and MRSA. It also covers bioterrorism infections such as anthrax, plague, and tularemia, which makes it one of the most versatile antibiotics to stock.

Can I get emergency antibiotics without seeing a doctor in person?

Yes, you can buy them online. You fill out a medical intake form, and the prescriptions are fulfilled and shipped direct to you. The five antibiotics on my list come standard in the Jase Case.

What antibiotic can I take if I'm allergic to penicillin?

Azithromycin is the one to stock if you are allergic to penicillin. It is used for respiratory infections, ear and throat infections, infectious diarrhea, sexually transmitted diseases, and typhoid fever.

Keep going

Read nextShelf life of medications past the expiration dateSummarizes research showing most medications stay potent years past expiration, the exceptions, and why storage conditions matter.Medical · Guide

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