Antibiotics And Their Use in Collapse Medicine(tm), Part 1

Doom and Bloom.net ^ | 11/28/11 | Dr. Bones

[Kartographer]

One of the most common questions that I am asked from prospective survival medics is “What antibiotics should I stockpile and how do I use them?” There isn’t a 60 second answer to this. Actually, there isn’t a 60 MINUTE answer to this, but anyone that is interested in preserving the health of their loved ones in a collapse will have to learn what antibiotics will work in a particular situation.

It’s important to start off by saying that you will not want to indiscriminately use antibiotics for every minor ailment that comes along. In a collapse, the medic is also a quartermaster of sorts; you will want to wisely dispense that limited and, yes, precious supply of life-saving drugs.

[Kartographer]

I recently posted a article urging preppers to look at their medical supplies. A lot of questions came up about buying, storing and using antibiotics, most of which I had no answers for. Hopefully may of your question will be answered in Dr. Bones four part series on Antibiotics And Their Use in Collapse Medicine(tm).

[Kartographer]

Links to parts 2, 3 and 4:

For Part 2, see link below:
http://doctorbonesandamyshow.blogspot.com/2011/11/antibiotics-and-their-use-in-collapse_30.html

For part 3, see link below:
http://doctorbonesandamyshow.blogspot.com/2011/12/antibiotics-and-their-use-in-collapse.html

For Part 4, see link below:
http://doctorbonesandamyshow.blogspot.com/2011/12/antibiotics-and-their-use-in-collapse_04.html

[PGR88]

bookmark for later

[109ACS]

ping

[109ACS]

ping

[Godzilla]

I’ve seen these listed on other sites. What I’m searching for is a good estimate of shelf life for the various ones. Unlike foods that can be consumed/replaced from the larder, you can’t do that with antibiotics, so it holds the potential of shelling out money periodically to replace the materials.

[precisionshootist]

Ok, this has my attention.

Thanks!

[American in Israel]

Over the counter Antibiotics

[amom]

Mark

[Lurker]

Thanks very much.

[Charlespg]

bookmarked

[djf]

US Army did a study in I think ‘86 as part of SLEP, Shelf Life Extension Program to find out about drugs, which they have stockpiled in the many-billions-of-dollars-worth quantities.

I’ve read parts of it available onle and the conclusion was that for almost all medications, it is reasonable to assume 90% effectiveness and no significant deterioration for ten years after packaging, in some, it was more.

There are exceptions, like tetracycline.

But even something like veterinary tetracycline comes stamped with I believe a four-year shelf life after manufacture.

[djf]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph0LtznsDH8&feature=related

http://www.usamma.army.mil/dod_slep.cfm

[Godzilla]

I saw reference to that report. I get hyper cautious on this aspect of prepardness because of the potential hazards involved. Like i said, I cycle my foods, but can’t reasonably do that with these kinds of meds. I’m continuing to do more online research and may even email some of the authors of these web sites for better details.

[blam]

A Doctor's Thoughts on Antibiotics, Expiration Dates, and TEOTWAWKI, by Dr. Bones

"Studies performed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that 90% of medications tested were perfectly fine to use 8-to-15 years after the expiration date"

[MrB]

The gov’t conducted a “shelf life extension” study, and found out that pill form anti-biotics in light shielding containers stored in a cool environment lasted (effectiveness/safety) pretty much indefinitely.

The study was buried, though, because it would really cost the pharmaceutical companies big time.

Dr Bones & Amy talk about this.

[MrB]

Dr Bones & Amy talk about the tetracycline myth as well.

There actually wasn’t any study done to determine if “expired” tetracycline caused renal failure. This myth is based on one incident where someone died, unobserved, of renal failure. They found out he had taken “expired” tetracycline and just blamed it on that without any real connection besides circumstances.

[Cold Heart]

Just saw a product on the shelf, pressureized-can wound cleaner. One brand was a saline cleaner by Arm & Hammer, the other a smaller can by Triple Antibiotic. Pretty handy

I found them in a full price store, $8.50 for about 5-6 oz. I’ll have to check Walmart.

Speaking of Walmart, I see some of their stores are carrying #10 cans of freeze dried storage food.

[MHGinTN]

A PDR (Physician's Desk Reference) is a vital part of the strategy for survival if you intend to stock antibiotics. Here's a clue to cost for the 2011 PDR (and a good used bookstore will have 2010 and 2009 versions for even less; the antibiotics as topic of this thread will be covered in a 2008 PDR just fine):

At Amazon - Available from these sellers
9 new from $14.00 20 used from $13.49

Anyone serious about serving as medic in a post collapse environment would do well to pick up a Merck Manual, used, also, to help with diagnoses and treatment suggestions.

[djf]

No one is encouraging you to right now, under normal circumstances when fresh supplies are available, take or use expired drugs.

But truthfully, I am always surprised when I hear people talking about what they would do AFTER SHTF “Ewwww... I’d never eat a rat!!” oh OK then just run down to that Chinese deli on the corner and get some take out... that deli burned down 2 years ago!!! In that case, do you want dark-meat rat or rat-tails???