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Sir:
This was an excellent article.  I was on the right track but it was reassuring to see an M.D. confirm it.  Thanks.    I just wanted to pass along a warning of sorts as it relates to Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) because I know Preppers like myself tend to have unusual shopping habits.  We not only buy a seemingly odd assortment of items all at once, but we probably buy them in larger quantities and with greater frequency than the average shopper.  This is simply for the fact we are stocking the products for future use rather than replenishing them as we use them.   Some people in society manufacture an illegal drug called methamphetamine and they use Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) as one of their primary ingredients. 

To help curb the production of the illegal drug many retailers across the nation now keep it locked up and require ID with signature to purchase it.  Some states have even passed laws which impose daily or weekly purchase limits of this cold remedy.  Legally purchasing a box or two under such tightly-controlled conditions will not put us at risk of being in trouble with the law, but buying more than a few primary “meth lab” ingredients in the same shopping trip can put us at risk of arrest.  According to Methpedia, some of these other ingredients needed for a meth lab are lithium batteries, steel wool (a great fire starter), starting fluid (ether), plastic storage containers, duct tape, coffee filters, aluminum foil, funnels, rubber (or surgical) tubing, thermos bottles, propane tanks, camp fuel, portable heat sources like hot plates and camp stoves, Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol, acetone (fingernail polish remover), sodium hydroxide (drain cleaner), salt, and cat litter.   It’s not easy to spot a meth lab operator on the street, but they need supplies to stay in business so they are most vulnerable when standing in the checkout aisle.  Store security staff are the tipsters who actively work with police to catch potential meth lab operators who are known to buy certain products repeatedly and frequently.  Unfortunately, Preppers also buy many of those same products repeatedly and frequently.   

If you (as an innocent Prepper) earn the attention of Store Security through your unique selection of purchases then they will start building a case file complete with credit card information gleaned from the cash registers and license plate numbers acquired with store security cameras.  Those cameras at the checkout will also be used to acquire an image of your physical appearance.  A simple phone call tip to the police could result in you being investigated by a city, county, or state-level police detective as being a possible meth lab operator.  What other purchases will your credit card reveal to an investigator?  Firearms?  Large quantities of ammunition?  Tactical gear?  If enough evidence exists, a search warrant could be obtained and served upon you.  How is it going to look when they find many of these “meth lab” ingredients stored in your home at quantities which far exceed what is “reasonable and customary” for the general population?   Law enforcement officers have also been trained to identify the makings of a meth lab when conducting traffic stops.  They will probably not be concerned with a box or two of Sudafed, but they will go on high alert if they see a certain combination of key ingredients in the back seat after a shopping trip.  If law enforcement has a reasonable suspicion to do so, based on the combinations and quantities of certain items being present in the vehicle, they can make an arrest under the charge of “intent to manufacture”.  In all likelihood, it would be difficult for them to convict an innocent Prepper having no prior criminal history based on such little evidence; yet the time in jail, loss of income, legal expenses, and tarnished criminal record could have a negative impact on preparation plans.  If a conviction were to be handed down by the courts then know it would be a felony which can severely impact freedom, including gun ownership rights.   

Be especially mindful of retailers who offer a plastic discount card which is scanned at the register.  Those discount cards often require a name and address be submitted by the card holder, meaning they know exactly who you are and where you live.  Every time the card is scanned the card holder is authorizing the recording of all their purchases.  The retailer uses this information to study the shopping habits of customers and to make legitimate business decisions, but law enforcement has been known to acquire and use this purchase history to investigate meth lab suspects.  If an innocent Prepper is falsely arrested for “intent to manufacture” following a routine traffic stop, law enforcement could easily obtain a conviction if the suspects recorded purchases includes a higher-than-normal purchase quantity and frequency of the items mentioned above.  Again, Preppers are at a disadvantage here because they often do buy these things in higher numbers and with greater frequency than the general population.    

If at all possible, when purchasing emergency supplies, don’t use discount cards which record the transaction and link it to you by name.  That information can later be used against you, even if you are innocent of all charges.    Use cash rather than credit card, debit cards, or personal checks.  Approach shopping just as you would “no impact camping”, meaning there should not be any evidence or paper trail  linking you by name to a particular purchase.    This becomes difficult if products are ordered online, but at least be aware the transaction is being recorded for long-term reference.  If you need, say, 4,000 rounds of .22 ammunition; then it might be a better idea to buy it with cash in smaller quantities from several stores over a longer period of time.  Likewise, if you need 500 Sudafed pills, consider buying them with cash as single-item purchases from several stores over a very long period of time.   When purchasing emergency supplies take care not to acquire too many of the above listed items in the same shopping trip.  The [“plain view”] contents of your shopping bag can be used against you during a traffic stop, so keep them covered up from prying eyes. – M.E.R.

Are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs really worth stockpiling?  As a family physician my answer is a resounding yes.  Most of the following were actually prescription medications when first released.  (In higher dosages, several still are.)  Although other OTC drugs are worth considering, these ten have been selected due to their ready availability, affordability, safety in both adults and children, and multi-use potential.  Used alone or in combination, they can effectively treat dozens of conditions including:  headache, fever, sore throats, ear ache, menstrual cramps, heartburn, arthritis, ulcers, diarrhea, allergies, hives, congestion, dizziness, mild anxiety, nausea, vomiting, poison ivy, athlete’s foot, ringworm, eczema, insomnia, backache, gout, diaper rash, yeast infections, and many more common illnesses. 

1.      Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) – Among the OTC anti-inflammatory medications, ibuprofen is probably the most versatile.  Primarily indicated for pain and inflammation, it may also be used to relieve headaches, earaches, sore throats, sinus pain, stiff neck, muscle strains, menstrual cramps, arthritis including gout, and back pain.  It is also effective at reducing fever and is generally safe for use in children.  It is not advisable for most stomach-related pain, although may decrease the pain of kidney stones, kidney infections, and possibly bladder infections.  The most common side effect is stomach irritation or heartburn.  When combined with acetaminophen it is nearly as effective as codeine, tramadol, or hydrocodone in relieving more severe pain. 

2.      Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – Acetaminophen is the only OTC pain-reliever that is not an anti-inflammatory drug.  It will not irritate the stomach like ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen.  It is useful for the same conditions as ibuprofen, though effectiveness varies according to patient.  As mentioned above, it may be combined with ibuprofen in full doses for more severe pain.  Side effects are very few, though in high dose, especially when combined with alcohol, it can lead to liver failure.  It is available in several pediatric dosages, both for pain relief and fever reduction.

3.      Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) – An inexpensive antihistamine, diphenhydramine is primarily used for drainage due to respiratory infections and nasal allergies, in both adults and children.  It is also indicated for hives and itching, including itchy rashes such as poison ivy.  Although not all patients become drowsy when using diphenhydramine, many do so, making this medication useful for insomnia as well.  Some people find the drug relieves nausea or mild anxiety.

4.      Loperamide (Imodium) – The most effective OTC medication for diarrhea is loperamide, which is available both as tablet form and liquid for children.  It is often useful for relieving intestinal cramping.   

5.      Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) – Pseudoephedrine is effective at relieving congestion of both the upper and lower respiratory tract due to most common causes including infection, allergy, chemical irritation, and mild asthma or bronchitis.  It frequently has a stimulatory effect, similar to caffeine.  The most common side effects are those resembling a burst of adrenaline:  rapid heart rate, palpitations, and increased blood pressure.  Years ago this drug was used in young children, even babies, though now most pediatricians do not advise it in patients younger than about six years old. 

6.      Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine) – This antiemetic drug is available both over the counter and by prescription.  It relieves nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, and vertigo-like dizziness.  For some patients it causes drowsiness, and therefore may be used as a sleep aid.  It is related to medications for anxiety and may help with this as well.

7.      Ranitidine (Zantac) – Although several medications are available OTC for the treatment of heartburn, ulcers, and other acid-reducing conditions, ranitidine is among the best-tolerated, is inexpensive, and is also useful for relieving hives. Doctors often advise an acid-reducing medication such as ranitidine for patients who experience stomach upset when taking ibuprofen, though this must be done with caution.

8.      Hydrocortisone cream – The 1% version of hydrocortisone is the strongest steroid cream available over the counter.  It is safe for use in both adults and children in treating inflamed and/or itchy rashes such as eczema, poison ivy, diaper rash, and other minor genital irritations. 

9.      Bacitracin ointment – This ointment is best used to prevent skin infections when the integrity of the skin has been breached, as by an abrasion, laceration, insect bite, or sting.  It also may be used to treat a superficial skin infection such as a mildly infected wound or impetigo.  It is less likely to produce a topical skin allergy than other topical antibiotic preparations that contain neomycin.  It cannot be used to treat deeper infections, however, which generally require an antibiotic by mouth.

10.  Clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin) The same antifungal medication, clotrimazole, is contained in both Lotrimin and Gyne-Lotrimin.  Gyne-Lotrimin may be used to treat both female yeast infections and any other yeast or fungal infection that Lotrimin would treat, including athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, diaper rashes, and skin fold irritations.

Conclusion
For under $50 total a good supply of all of the above can be purchased.  Several of these medications are also available at higher doses by prescription, and may actually be less expensive if obtained from a physician (ranitidine, meclizine, loperamide, and diphenhydramine), even paying full price.  All of the above drugs and many more are discussed in detail in my book, 101 Ways to Save Money on Health Care. The book includes dozens of sections on treating yourself.  Available for under $10 online, the book offers practical advice on treating: respiratory infections, pink eye, sore throats, nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, urinary infections, allergies, arthritis, acne, hemorrhoids, dermatitis, skin infection, lacerations, lice, carpal tunnel syndrome, warts, mental illness, asthma, COPD, depression, diabetes, enlarged prostate, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and much more.

JWR Adds: Dr. Koelker has recently started a new blog on TEOTWAWKI medicine at www.ArmageddonMedicine.net.