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Medications, what are they good for?

This video is an overview of useful medications that can be used in Wilderness and Remote environments when access medical care is delayed. All these medications can also be useful in the home setting and are available over the counter at any pharmacy for purchase.

 

Wilderness/Remote Medication Guide

Over the counter medications can provide symptom relief and bridge the gap to higher level medical care. Below is a list of useful over the counter medications that can be purchased at any pharmacy and are good to have on hand in the house, cottage, on wilderness trips, and remote locations.

ASSISTING AND ADMINISTERING MEDICATIONS:

This is a guideline only:

  • Always follow directions on medication label and advice of reputable medical professionals.
  • Always keep medications in original containers and frequently check for expiration/damage.
  • Complete full patient assessment, follow your scope of practice, and be aware of legal liability before assisting/administering any medication to another person.
  • DO NOT administer any medication without the proper knowledge, skill and judgment of its intended use, possible side effects, and contraindications.
  • Dosing provided is a guideline only always follow directions on medication label, no dosing provided for children <12 or infants (consult medical professional and labels and practice extreme caution with assisting/administering medications to children/infants).

PAIN MANAGEMENT:

MEDICATION

USES

CAUTIONS

DOSING

Tylenol (Acetaminophen)

Mild pain, & Fever

Patients with history of Kidney or Liver issues

Max daily dose:

3000mg/24 hours

Adult/Child >12yr:

325-1000mg every 6 hours as needed

Advil

(Ibuprofen)

Mild-moderate pain, & Fever

Sensitivity to NSAID/Aspirin, Active GI bleed

Max daily dose:

3200mg/24 hours

Adult/Child >12yr:

200-800mg every 6 hours as needed

Oral Anesthetic Gel, Orajel

(Benzocaine 20% W/W)

Toothache pain

Temporary measure consult dentist ASAP.

DO NOT eat for 1 hour following use.

Max daily dose:

4 applications/24 hours

Adult/Child >12yr:

Apply small amount to cavity and surrounding gum area using Q-tip.

Aspirin

(Acetylsalicylic acid, ASA)

Suspected Heart Attack

DO NOT give to anyone <18years of age,

history of ulcer or active bleeding.

Adult >18 years:

Crush/Chew 2 x 81mg tabs and call 9-1-1 Emergency EVAC

 

DIARRHEA/NAUSEA/INDIGESTION:

MEDICATION

USES

CAUTIONS

DOSING

Imodium (Loperimide)

Relief of diarrhea

Do not take with abdominal pain with fever

Max daily dose:

8mg/24 hours

Adult/Child >12yr:

4mg dose 1, follow with 2mg after each loose stool

Pepto-bismol

(bismuth subsalicylate)

Mild-moderate diarrhea, nausea,& heartburn/ indigestion

Sensitivity to NSAID/Aspirin, Active GI bleed

May cause gray/black stool and constipation

Max daily dose:

8 doses (16 tabs)/24 hours

Adult/Child >12yr:

2 tabs repeat after 30 min as needed

Tums

(Calcium carbonate)

Indigestion/ heartburn

Do not take within 2 hours of other medication

Adult/Child >12yr:

Take 1-1.5 hours after eating,

0.5-1.5g as needed

Gravol

(Dimenhydrinate)

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vertigo/ motion sickness

Causes drowsiness, do not combine with Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)

Max daily dose:

400mg/24 hours

Adult/Child >12yr:

50-100mg every 4 hours as needed

 

CONSTIPATION:

MEDICATION

USES

CAUTIONS

DOSING

Restoralax, Pegalax, Clearlax

(Polyethylene Glycol 3350, PEG)

Stool softener, relives occasional diarrhea

Do not take with Abdominal pain, fever, or vomiting.

Max daily dose:

17 g, do not take for >7 days

Adult/Child >12yr:

17 g in 1 cup water (may take 2-4 days for effect)

Senokot

(Senna)

Laxative for constipation

Do not take with Abdominal pain, fever, or vomiting.

Max daily dose:

8 tabs, do not take for >7 days

Adult/Child >12yr:

2-4 tabs at bedtime  (takes effect in 6-12 hours)

 

HYPOGLYCEMIA/DEHYDRATION:

MEDICATION

USES

CAUTIONS

DOSING

Glucose Gel or sugar

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Only give if patient is conscious and can swallow.

Adult/Child >12yr:

15 g of glucose, repeat after 15 minutes if no effect

Electrolytes

(Trioral, Nuun, Hammer, Hydralyte…)

Dehydration

Sip slowly to avoid vomiting

Adult/Child >12yr:

Dissolve tab or powder in ~1 L of water, drink to thirst

 

ALLERGIES:

MEDICATION

USES

CAUTIONS

DOSING

Benadryl

(Diphenhydramine)

Seasonal allergies, mild allergic reactions, Anaphylaxis (after Epinephrine)

Do not use in combination with Gravol (Dimenhydrinate), may cause drowsiness

Max daily dose:

300mg/ 24 hours

Adult/Child >12yr:

25-50 mg every 4-6 hours

Reactine

 (Cetirizine)

or

Claritin

(Loratidine)

Seasonal allergies, mild allergic reactions

Max daily dose:

10mg/24 hours

Adult/Child >12 years:

10 mg/24 hours

Epinephrine Autoinjector

(Epipen, Allerject)

Anaphylaxis

Assess for symptoms of anaphylaxis vs mild allergic reaction.

Emergency Evacuation/ Call 9-1-1 after administering.

Adult/Child >30kg(66lbs): -Epipen 0.3 mg

Child 15-30 kg(33-66lbs): -Epipen Jr 0.15 mg

Intramuscular injection in outer thigh, repeat after 5 minutes if symptoms persist.

 

EYES/EARS/MOUTH/THROAT:

MEDICATION

USES

CAUTIONS

DOSING

Salt water Gargle

Sore Throat, mouth sores

Gargle or swish, do not swallow. If symptoms are severe, worsen, accompanied by fever, or persist >2 days consult medical professional.

Adult/Child >12yr:

1 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water, gargle/swish 4 times a day

Throat Lozenge

Halls, Fisherman’s Friend, Ricola, Cepacol, Ricola…

Sore Throat

If symptoms are severe, worsen, accompanied by fever, or persist >2 days consult medical professional.

Adult/Child >12yr:

Allow lozenge to dissolve in mouth, repeat as necessary

Polysporin Antibiotic Eye/Ear Drops

(Polymxin B and Gramicidin)

Pink eye, conjunctivitis, minor ear infection

If no improvement after 2 days consult medical professional. Consult doctor before use if cause of  pink eye unclear, sensation of something in eye, sensitivity to light, continuous abundant discharge, pain in eye, impaired vision, severe hearing loss, severe pain in ear or fever.

Adult/Child >12yr:

1-2 drops in infected Eye/Ear 4 times a day for 7-10 days

 

SKIN ISSUES:

MEDICATION

USES

CAUTIONS

DOSING

Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Polysporin

(Polymyxin B Sulphate, bacitracin zinc and gramicidin ointment)

Prevent infection

Allergy to any of the components.

For external use only.

Adult/Child >12yr:

Apply small amount to affected area 1-3 times day

Canestan

(Clotrimazole cream)

Yeast infection, athletes foot, jock itch, ring worm

For external use only

Adult/Child >12yr:

Clean and dry skin thoroughly, apply thin layer to affected area twice daily, after symptoms resolve continue treatment for 1-2 weeks (max 4 week treatment course)

Hydrocortisone Cream (0.5% or 1%)

Skin irritation: Eczema, dermatitis, insect bites,

Do not use if suspecting skin infection. Avoid use on face without medical professional direction.

Adult/Child >12yr:

Apply thin layer to affected area 2-3 times daily (max 7 days)

Baby/Body Powder

(Gold Bond)

Relieves pain and itching for minor skin irritation

Stop using if symptoms worsen, no improvement in 7 days

Adult/Child >12yr:

Apply freely to affected area 3-4 times day.

 

*Ken Piercey and Wildmedkits assume no liability for the use of this information.*


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