But there is only so far that knowledge can take you.  At some point, you are going to need medications to treat an ailment – which is why it is so important to stockpile OTC medications in case of an emergency.

Because there are so many different types of non-prescription medications you could include in your emergency kit, I’ve decided to break them down by purpose.

Pain and Fever Medicines:

When it comes to pain relief and fever reduction, the main options are:

1. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)  
2. Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) 
3. Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)

There are actually a lot of differences between these OTC meds.  For example, aspirin is a great anti-inflammatory but can cause digestive issues. Tylenol isn’t as good at relieving existing pain but is safer for children.  Ibuprofen is my go-to for fever reduction but not as strong as aspirin for relieving pain.

The difference between pain relievers.

Aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen? What’s the difference…

This may come as a surprise to some, but not all pain relievers are the same. In fact, the difference between many over-the-counter pain relievers can have various effects on your body.

People sometimes refer to a specific over-the-counter medication (OTC)–Tylenol, aspirin, Advil, etc.–even if they don’t have a specific brand in mind. The Food and Drug Administration  considers all three effective for the same minor aches and pains. Each can reduce fever and relieve headache, muscle aches, menstrual pain, toothache, and similar discomfort—although they differ in their effectiveness against certain of these symptoms.

Aspirin a.k.a Bayer, Bufferin

The active ingredient in aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid which inhibits the body of prostaglandins, concentrated substances where we feel pain. Prostaglandins increase the perception of pain, fever, redness and inflammation that may occupancy injuries. In short, aspirin reacts with your blood chemistry to inhibit the volume of prostaglandins. Aspirin is most often used to relieve minor pain, fever and inflammation, but it does have a unique set of drawbacks.

Drawbacks may include: disruption to the upper digestive tract (can cause upset stomach, heartburn, and dyspepsia); NOT recommended for hemophiliacs because of its anticoagulant (blood “thinning” agent) or for children (linked to Reye’s syndrome).

That being said, aspirin is still the most common over-the-counter pain reliever and now plays a huge role in the prevention of heart disease.

Acetaminophen a.k.a Tylenol

While many people have never heard of acetaminophen, everyone has heard of the pain reliever brand Tylenol. Acetaminophen was introduced in the late 50’s and shares Aspirin’s ability to relieve mild-to-moderate pain and to reduce fever, but it lacks aspirin’s anti-inflammatory effect. Although it can relieve the pain caused by inflammation, it can’t reduce the inflammation itself. As a result, it won’t do much for arthritis and sprains. Another noteworthy difference is that while consuming alcohol it is NOT recommended to take acetaminophen in any amount because the liver becomes more susceptible to damage. Doctors also argue that acetaminophen is easier to overdose than its peers which could result in fatality. The advantage to acetaminophen is that it is considered a “safer” alternative for those who have a sensitive stomach, making it the best headache treatment for people with acid reflux disease or ulcers. Acetaminophen is also safer for children than aspirin, but because of its many known combinations with sleeping agents, always read the label carefully.

Ibuprofen a.k.a Motrin, Advil

Ibuprofen and aspirin seem to work the same way in the body because both inhibit the production of prostaglandins, hormone like chemicals involved in causing pain and inflammation. Because of these effects it is widely used for arthritis and menstrual pains. Similar to acetaminophen, Ibuprofen can play a role in stomach upset, the most common side effect of both aspirin and ibuprofen. Because ibuprofen inhibits prostaglandins which exert a protective effect on the stomach lining, it increases the chances of stomach upset. However, ibuprofen is a happy medium on the “stomach-upset scale” between aspirin (more irritating) and Tylenol (less irritating).

When comparing pain relievers it is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each. Unless you have certain diseases, conditions, or pregnant, most individuals won’t go wrong with any of the three pain relievers (provided its use is occasional).

In general, anyone who should avoid aspirin for any reason should also avoid ibuprofen—and vice versa. Both drugs generally work the same way with similar side effects. Always read the dosage instruction on over-the-counter medications and consult your doctor if you have questions. If you need help finding a doctor, let us help you make an appointment.

In addition, I’d also add these OTC pain relievers to the list of items to stockpile:

4. Benzocaine (Orajel): Great for tooth pain
5. Naproxen (Aleve): Good for headaches and inflammation

Diarrhea and GI Meds:

When emergencies occur, such as hurricanes and flooding, GI problems are very common. They occur because of contact with contaminated water.

To prevent this, it is very important that you know how much water to stockpile and have a reliable water purification method.

In case GI problems do occur, you’ll want these OTC medications stockpiled:

6. Pepto Bismol: This is great go-to medicine for nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, and upset stomach in general.
7. Imodium: This medication stops diarrhea in its tracks. Now, you don’t always want to stop diarrhea (it is your body’s way of naturally getting rid of pathogens).  However, diarrhea can be deadly and there are times that warrant Imodium.
8. Electrolytes (aka Rehydration Salts): I keep a huge stockpile of electrolytes in my first aid kit, and always take them with me into the wilderness. They work to quickly rehydrate you, such as after severe vomiting or diarrhea.  Since dehydration can kill, they are essential!

Wound Care Medications:

It is essential that you know how to treat a wound.  Even small wounds can lead to serious infections if not treated properly!

To prevent infection and speed healing, you’ll need:

9. Burn cream
10. Antibiotic or antibacterial ointment (such as Neosporin)
11. QuickClot: Available as a coated gauze (powders are no longer recommended), QuickClot acts as a hemostatic agent to quickly stop bleeding on larger wounds.

A cold or flu usually isn’t a life-or-death matter.  However, if SHTF and no doctor is available, a simple flu could be deadly.

You’ll want to make sure you have some fever meds (such as Ibuprofen) on hand to reduce temperature, as well as these OTC meds for relieving symptoms.

12. Cough syrup
13. Cough drops
14. Vapor rub
15. Decongestants (such as pseudoephedrine)

Skin and Allergy Meds:

We all know how important it is to bring anti-itch creams when going outdoors (my youngest kid always seems to trample through a patch of poison ivy!).

However, skin and allergy meds are equally important for your emergency kit.

During natural disasters, your skin might come in contact with many hazardous substances.  There are chemicals from nearby factories, pathogens in sewage-tainted water, and even the risk of flotillas of stinging fire ants!

To protect yourself (and avoid a lot of discomfort), be sure to stockpile:

16. Oral antihistamines: Good options include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and Fexofenadine (Allegra)
17. Anti-itch creams: These will contain antihistamines, steroids, and/or an anesthetic.

If you have itchy skin, also known as pruritus, there are many different topical lotions or creams you can try to relieve symptoms.1 They are typically characterized by one of three different active ingredients:

• Topical steroids: Reduce inflammation
• Topical antihistamines: Reduce itching associated with allergy
• Topical anesthetics: Numb the skin

There are many different factors to consider when choosing an anti-itch cream. One big factor is the precise cause of your itch, as pruritus can be caused by a number of conditions like allergies, hives, psoriasis, and eczema.

Anti-itch creams can also help treat itching caused by infections such as yeast infections, ringworm, and scabies.3 But, if you have an infection, you will also need an anti-fungal medication. In other words, an anti-itch cream will simply help soothe the itch or mask your symptoms but not cure the infection or the underlying cause.

The bottom line is that getting to the root cause of your itching is imperative, so be sure to speak to your healthcare provider before purchasing an over-the-counter cream.4

Topical steroids are the best choice of anti-itch cream. They are available in a variety of strengths and formulas and can be purchased over the counter as hydrocortisone cream.5 Overall, ointments and creams are the strongest topical steroids while gels and sprays are the weakest.

It’s important to understand that topical steroids should be used with caution and generally under the guidance of a healthcare provider.6 While topical steroids have fewer side effects than oral steroids, they need to be used appropriately.

Lower-strength formulations can reduce the risk of side effects.7 Additionally, how much you use can make a difference. In some cases, you won’t need much if the cream absorbs easily. Other people need more because their skin is not all that absorbent.8

Absorbency depends on a number of factors like:

• The thickness of the skin (such as the eyelids versus the soles of the feet)
• The surface area of the skin being treated
• The potency of the steroids cream
• How often the cream is applied
• The vehicle of the steroid used (for instance, ointment versus gel)

For children, it’s important to talk to your child’s pediatrician before applying a topical steroid. Children are more prone to the adverse effects of topical steroids, so weaker topical steroids, like gels and sprays, should be used if possible.

In addition, topical steroids, like Cutivate (fluticasone) and Elocon (mometasone furoate), may be safer for kids since less of the steroid is absorbed.9 Cutivate is also the only FDA-approved topical steroid for children age 3 months and older.

Antihistamines are a common medication used to treat allergies.10 In most cases, antihistamines are taken orally to relieve symptoms of an allergy attack. These types of anti-itch creams may also be helpful in treating eczema.

The drugs work by suppressing a chemical known as histamine which the immune system produces when confronted with an allergen (allergy-causing substances). If an itch is related to an allergy, the topical cream can be absorbed in the skin and prevent histamine from causing the swelling and inflammation that can trigger pruritis.11

16. Fungal creams: For fungal infections like athlete’s foot and yeast infections, you’ll want OTC meds like clotrimazole, miconazole, and butenafine hydrochloride.
17. Epi-Pen: Absolutely stockpile this if you have serious allergies. Unfortunately, Epi-Pens do expire quickly, so it can be quite costly to keep a stockpile.

Antibiotics:

Antibiotics are usually prescription-only.  However, there are some ways to get around this.  Some preppers talk to their doctors and are able to get a prescription for “just in case” antibiotics.

If your doctor won’t give you antibiotics for stockpiling, there are these OTC options (Disclaimer: Use at your own risk!):

20. Fish antibiotics
21. Natural antibiotics  Oil of oregano, goldenseal, garlic, and berberine are good choices.
22. Homemade penicillin

Other OTC Medications to Stockpile

23. Saline Solution: Good for cleaning out sinuses, wounds, and eye irrigation
24. Laxatives: The sudden change in diet during an emergency can lead to terrible constipation. Laxatives will be welcome!
25. Activated Charcoal: Consume in event of poisoning. Also good for GI ailments.  You can also make your own activated charcoal.
26. Sleeping Pills: OTC sleeping pills can be used during emergencies to help counteract anxiety and stress. I wouldn’t ever recommend them for long-term use though.
27. Immunity-Boosting Supplements: Some great examples are vitamin C, zinc, colloidal silver, echinacea, ginseng, and probiotics.
28. Potassium iodide tablets: These act as thyroid blockers to protect yourself against radiation poisoning. If you live near a nuclear facility, these should be in your emergency kit!