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Can you get antibiotics for your family without seeing a doctor?
It’s not as hard, illegal, or scary as people make you think.
This lesson goes just a little beyond the Everyday Emergencies, but it’s not as apocalyptic as many people would think.
Even though the lesson primarily refers to antibiotics, the principles work for any of your essential over-the-counter meds or prescription meds.
Should you keep a small stockpile of antibiotics available at home?
Yes.
Why?
- Evacuation from home for any reason (wildfire, house fire, hurricane, other natural disasters)
- Vacation use
- Extended trip use
- Supply chain issues
There are tons of other reasons, but those are the most common reasons.
Is it illegal?
Not if you do it right.
Is it hard?
Not at all.
What should I keep?
This is the hardest question from this lesson, as there are so many antibiotics that can be used for different conditions from illnesses to infections.
That’s the main reason I recommend that you use a trusted source and follow their recommendations.
I would recommend you have antibiotics to treat the most common issues, especially issues you would encounter while away from home.
- Traveler’s diarrhea
- Pnemonia
- Bladder and kidney infections
- Wound infections
- Bioterror
If you carry antibiotics for those five basic issues, you’re automatically carrying meds that will treat hundreds of other things.
How do I do it?
1. Ask your doctor.
This is often way trickier than it should be. It’s been my experience, even with extended deployments to areas where I could not obtain meds, that average physicians simply won’t help you out with this.
If you have a great relationship with your doc, explain why you need the meds, and they’ll help you out, go for it!
I’m not telling you to lie to your doc and make up a reason, but if you simply tell them that you’re planning an extended trip, sometimes that helps.
Don’t EVER tell them you’re prepping, Dr. Dave told you to do it, or you just want it to feel safe.
2. Contact a licensed online medical provider.
There are several online providers out there who exist solely to provide meds and care for people who want more access, options, and opportunities.
They’re made for people like us who want to be Prepared.
I personally use Jase Medical. They have an incredibly easy setup, they’re affordable, they’re US based, and they cater to Prepared Parents like us.
Jase Medical is also set up to provide both antibiotics and extended quantities of regular prescription meds.
I personally have one of the kits pictured above.
3. Buy them outside the system.
I only mention this one to say, DON’T do it.
You can order or buy meds in Canada or Mexico, but I do not recommend it. It’s not that I agree with the FDA’s restrictions on buying meds outside the country, but I do agree with some of their reasoning.
There have just been too many instances of people purchasing meds (mostly Mexico) and the meds not being what they said they were.
Imagine expecting antibiotics and instead finding out the hard way that your capsules were filled with contaminated flour or something even worse.
What’s the catch?
The only real catch to stocking your own antibiotics is that it’s likely your insurance will not cover it, and you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
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Real Life Case Study: What exactly is in my Jase Medical kit?
I have found that my doctor serves me best when I’ve done preliminary research and have ideas to offer him.
With that in mind, I wanted to tell you exactly what is in the Jase Medical kit that I carry on trips just in case you want to tell your doctor what you’d like.
He or she may have other recommendations, but this will help drive them in the right direction.
Amoxicillin-clavulanate 875 mg tablets (28 tablets)
Azithromycin 250 mg tablets (6 tablets)
Ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablets (28 tablets)
Doxycycline 100 mg capsules (120 capsules)
Metronidazole 500 mg tablets (30 tablets)
This is a kit for a single adult.
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This is my core philosophy on preparedness.
Get prepared NOW as best you can with what you have. It’s better than nothing.
Stay simple. Don’t complicate things.
Upgrade and level up as time, money, resources, or training are available. Never stop improving.
Train and practice often. Always think of yourself as an amateur.
Don’t get complacent. Anything can happen anywhere.
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