Home Doctor: Practical Medicine for Every Household
antibiotics for your stash. It is important to keep in mind that antibiotics are not a one-size-fits-all medication, and certain antibiotics are used for certain problems. A good tip is to write on the bottle what it was prescribed for, and some internet searching can also tell you what other conditions may be treated with that particular antibiotic. 5.) Over the Counter Insulin This one is for insulin-dependent diabetics specifically, but insulin is of particular importance as managing diabetes is a constant task and even a day or two without needed insulin can be detrimental to one’s health. What many people don’t know is that some insulin is available without a prescription. These insulins are older, less effective versions of the newer insulins used today, but they are absolutely still effective and better than nothing in a pinch. Pricing for over-the-counter insulin varies, but if you can afford it, it’s a great option to have in your stash. Not all pharmacies stock OTC insulin so you’ll need to ask around, although Wal-Mart pharmacies are known for having plenty of it. If you do choose to keep a supply of OTC insulin, be sure to consult your doctor as he or she can provide guidance for using those formulas in an emergency. With these five tips you should be able to get started on building a decent supply of emergency medication. Having a stockpile can provide great peace of mind, and should you ever find yourself unable to refill your medications you can be prepared. Just remember, a medication stash should be tended to regularly, checking for long-past expiration dates and some prescriptions that may have changed according to your condition. Keep instructions for use on all medications, as well as instructions on what to do if you are completely out of medication and have no access to more. Lastly, consider building a great first aid kid as an excellent complement to a medication stockpile! During uncertain times, it is always best to be overprepared.
Medicines that Are Safe to Take After Their Expiration Date Should we throw away every medication in our homes once they expire? Now that is a question many people have asked and are still asking. You see, in 1979 the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) passed a law that required every manufacturer to provide a possible expiration date for all medications sold. This date was supposed to guarantee full potency and safety of the drugs. Since then all medications have carried an expiry date. However, the expiration date is only a guarantee from the manufacturer of how long said medication can maintain its stability and potency while in its unopened container. Once the medication is opened, the expiration dates no longer carry much weight. As a result of the introduction of expiration dates on drugs, billions of dollars have gone down the drain in an effort to get rid of unused expired medications due to possible loss of effectiveness and health risk. This level of wastage inspired a need to investigate the possibility of using said medications even after their expiration date. So the FDA and U.S department of defense carried out a study to test medications’ safety and stability after expiration. Prescribed drugs and OTC (over the counter) drugs were tested. This study found that most of the tested medications remained stable and effective beyond their expiration date. In fact, they found out that 90% of the tested expired medications maintained their safety and potency. 21
