OTC medication – quantity and containers

[James A]

Working on getting a crew FAK going and wondering how people have handled the OTC meds.

Looks like we need:

• Ibuprofen
• Acetaminophen
• Benadryl (tablets)
• Hydrocoritsone cream
• Antacid
• Imodium
• Foot powder
• Throat lozenges (not sure if we need)
• Visine (not sure if we need)

Am I missing anything? What quantities would you recommend for a 12-man crew on a 12-day trek? Single use packets (too expensive?) or standard pill bottles from the drug store (too heavy/bulky)? I’m guessing everybody should have their own foot powder, right? Is the 1-ounce Gold Bond enough?

Thanks for any help!

[SFOldManClan]

I ended up getting the little plastic pill bags

Bag 100 Count – Size 3″ X 2″ 3 Mil – Plastic Pill Organizer Bags – Small Pocket Pill Baggies – Travel Pill Pouch– Daily AM PM Medicine Storage Pouches – Locking Pill Carrier Box Container
by Tilco
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CMD6VJ2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_WNMHCb3QHSV0F

Quantity of pills is dependent on size of crew.  I just filled them up (about 50 pills per baggy), however I may cut that amount in half due to my total crew size only being 10 including adults..

here is the kit i copied, it fits perfectly in the HMG 4400 Small Pod, just added 3M red crosses front and back..

https://www.restockyourkit.com/Northern-Tier-BSA-Crew-First-Aid-Kit-p/210-0914.htm

Small Pod 4400 (For 70L Packs)

• Weight: 1.34 oz | 38g
• Volume: 520 cu in. | 8.5L
• Dimensions: 8.7″ x 14.1″ x 4.5″

 

[Adam A]

Throat lozenges (not sure if we need)

I’ve been camping more than once with a youth that could not stop coughing (at night while trying to go to sleep) throat lozenges  are worth having…..to me.

[David Thomas]

I’d add an anti-fungal cream – a small, professional-sample sized one.   And a laxative.

For my own family, I just throw the pills in a small (0.5-1 ounce) nalgene – we all know what the different pills look like. In a larger group, use zip locks to label, record dosages, and indications for each med.

[James A]

Some great ideas, keep ’em coming. Thanks!

I do think I’ll go with those mini ziploc bags that can be labeled for meds.

[Kevin Sweere]

We went with single-serving packages, like Medique offers on Amazon.

These have ALL the proper info on each, it’s easier to issue the proper amount for the right problem, each are water-proof and sterile from the others, and lastly each wrapper provides an easy place to record what’s issued — simply write name and date on the wrapper and put back into the FAK’s ziploc bag.

Yes, it costs a tiny bit more and there’s the litter issue… but compare to Phi-meals its trivial.

Wrt contents, you’ll need meds for BOTH digestive issues – diarrhea and constipation.  Just meds, we went rather overkill (for both the trip & trek for full crew) with:

• 20 Aspirin
• 40 Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• 40 Ibuprofen (Motrin)
• 24 Diphenhydramine  (Benadryl, H1 fast)
• 20 Loratadine (Claritin, H1 slow, antihistamine )
• 10 Antacids (tums)
• Throat cough zinc drops
• 24 cold caplets
• 16  ­­­­Bismuth subsalicylate (Diotame, Pepto-Bismol)
• 24 Loperamide  (Imodium, Diamode, anti-diarrhea)
• ex-lax laxative
• 8 lactose enzyme (Lact-aid)
• Anti-fungal cream (jock itch, athlete’s foot)
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Visine eye drops/wash
• Zinc oxide cream (treat rash)
• Trail Toes, foot anti-friction, anti-wet-out
• Body Glide, anti-chafe
• Lip balm

 

[Roger Caffin]

Plus a wheelbarrow to carry it all.

Cheers

[Brad P]

Is all of that necessary when you’re always a short distance from help?

[Author]

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