Drugs? Need Any? Which?

[Nemo]

Good info source.

Nemo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcIWM-6oY2c

[JoJo]

 Expiration dates.



https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-expiration-dates-and-the-off-grid-medic/

[pkveazey]

I was putting together a MED KIT so I asked my family Dr. about expiration dates and what I should include. He told me what I expected about Alcohol, Peroxide, Vasiline, Anti fungal creams, Antibiotics, Epsom Salt, Anti-inflamatories, Pain meds, bandages, blah, blah, blah, on and on. Then he told me not to get real concerned about expiration dates. Most meds will still work after years of storage as long as you keep them in a house environment where they are kept at a constant temperature and away from light. He said antibiotics will still work after many years but they may have lost some of their potency and you might need a larger dose than normal. He said if you take them and they aren't working as well as you think they should, then up the dosage on old meds. I wouldn't get all stupid and double the dose.

[mechmedic]

DOD and FEMA studied this in a program called SLEP Shelf Life Extension Program (I think that was what it was called)
And they found the same thing. Most drugs don’t get deadly after their expiration date. Most just lose potency. The expiration date is an FDA minimum. The testing to meet the minimum is expensive as it is so most companies see no need to do extended testing.

[patriotman]

I am sure mechmedic can comment on this as well, but I overheard a former combat medic talkibg to a biddy about how when the expiration dates hit, they would just give the meds to the Iraqi hospitals and clinics who happily used them.

There are exceptions, however, and I believe two big ones are the cyclines - doxycycline and tetracycline

[mechmedic]

Depending on what it is we hold stuff way longer than it's expiration date. We'll give fluids as long as they aren't more than 6 months past the date and still pass a visual inspection. I think I have heard that about the cyclines as well.

[patriotman]

Hmm, interesting about the fluids. I figured those were strict as well with exp date. Thanks.

 

[mechmedic]

I wouldn’t rush to stock up on fluids. They’re not worth it honestly. I’d rather someone get FWB Transfusion kits. That’s what I would use on the battlefield for blood loss. If it’s for dehydration you can just do a rectal IV.

[patriotman]

Oh I don't intend to, though it is nice to hear your preferences on the matter. Much to ponder

[mechmedic]

I had my mind blown recently during a 5 day training course and it’s been changing how I think about medical set ups and not just for my Army stuff. Even prepping too is getting affected.

[Jackalope]

I had my mind blown recently during a 5 day training course and it’s been changing how I think about medical set ups and not just for my Army stuff. Even prepping too is getting affected.

So tell us more.  How is it effecting your preparations?

[mechmedic]

Instead of figuring out how to pack fluid bags for long term I’m going to start packing blood transfusion kits. Plus now I need to start packing IO Needles. Gauze. Lots and lots of gauze. More gauze. And by just 4x4’s or 5x9’s. But rolled gauze. Lots and lots of rolled gauze. Instead of ETB’s I’m just going to buy 4 and 6 inch ace wrap. It can do multiple things and is way cheaper. It’s changing how I pack my medical bags. Monitoring equipment is being pushed towards my ruck and out of my line 2 aid bag. Things like my pulse ox, thermometer, bp cuff and stethoscope are being pulled out and placed in higher level bags. It’s not like I’ll be able to get a normal blood pressure in combat anyway. So why let it take up space. It can sit in my rucksack or my truck bag until I need it for sick call reasons.

[JoJo]

 @Mechmedic You don't need a truck. It sounds like you need an Ambulance.