View Full Version : Suggested Medications to take
ATX-Hiker
12-07-2008, 13:10
I was wondering what prescription meds I might want to take for a worst case scenario.
Diarrhea - ???
Cold/Flu/Infection - Cypro?
Nausea - ??
Pain - 2-3 Vicodin
Etc. - ??
I have a good relationship with my doctor, and she's agreed to give me some prescriptions before my trip, as long as I call her from where ever I may be prior to taking (if I can). I'm wondering what I may possibly need.
_terrapin_
12-07-2008, 13:22
Ibuprofen (Vitamin I) and Benadryl are the biggies. I've never carried anything specifically for diarrhea, nausea, or colds. Benadryl helps for bug bites and such. Sunblock is important for exposed skin, even in winter.
For the AT, I just start out with some Ibuprofen (OTC), moleskin, Duct Tape, couple of immodium and couple of cold med tablets (just enough for one or two doses). If anything else is needed, it can be picked up in town.
For more remote hiking I add some stronger pain meds - whatever I have laying around, or get a script for something from Doc. Also some Broad Spectrum Antibiotic. I also take more cold and diarrhea medication since I won't be able to re-stock. If you think you may get into poison ivy, I would carry some Zanfel - expensive, but works wonders.
I carried some prescription medications on my through hike which were recommended in a book for hikers I read.
I don't know if I can recall everything I carried, but I will try to remember what I can over the next few days and put it here for you as well as the title of the book which is now likely out-of-print. Someone who posts here likely has a copy and could put up the list even if some of the meds may no longer be considered to be the best for what you would intend to use them.
ATX-Hiker
12-07-2008, 13:36
I carried some prescription medications on my through hike which were recommended in a book for hikers I read.
I don't know if I can recall everything I carried, but I will try to remember what I can over the next few days and put it here for you as well as the title of the book which is now likely out-of-print. Someone who posts here likely has a copy and could put up the list even if some of the meds may no longer be considered to be the best for how you would intend to use them.
That would be great. I'd like to have the meds before I go, as my insurance will be gone by the time I'm on the trail. If it's serious I'll see a doc and just eat it. Rather plan ahead though.
Look up Lomotil (diarrhea) and Compazine (nausea) for starters.
Slo-go'en
12-07-2008, 13:43
I carry a couple of Vicodin's just in case I happen to hurt something so bad Ibprofen isn't enough to get me out of the woods. I'd have have to be in some real serious pain before I would take them though. Haven't need to yet - even after a tooth extraction which is what they were given to me for.
If you need anything with isn't OTC, its likely you'd be seeing a doctor first anyway or already know you need them.
Toolshed
12-07-2008, 14:40
OTC - Immodium
OTC - Tums/Rolaids
OTC - 200 mg Ibuprofen
Rx - 800 mg Ibuprofen
Rx - amoxacillin or dicloxacillin 500 mg capsules
Rx - propoxyphene
Rx - oxycodone
Your doc might write you an Rx for 2-3 tabs if you tell him you are on the trail for a few months, though I have never needed anything stornger than 800 mg Ibuprofen in many years of backpacking. If it hurts more than that, you probably should get off and not walk through the pain (or mask the pain)....
ATX-Hiker
12-07-2008, 14:51
OTC - Immodium
OTC - Tums/Rolaids
OTC - 200 mg Ibuprofen
Rx - 800 mg Ibuprofen
Rx - amoxacillin or dicloxacillin 500 mg capsules
Rx - propoxyphene
Rx - oxycodone
Your doc might write you an Rx for 2-3 tabs if you tell him you are on the trail for a few months, though I have never needed anything stornger than 800 mg Ibuprofen in many years of backpacking. If it hurts more than that, you probably should get off and not walk through the pain (or mask the pain)....
Rx 800mg Ibuprofen, couldn't you just take 4 200 mg ibuprofen?
Rx - amoxacillin or dicloxacillin 500 mg capsules - antibiotic, correct?
Rx - propoxyphene - ???
Rx - oxycodone - that's even stronger than vicodin isn't it? I guess if you break an arm or something and have 2 more miles to town, it'd probably be nice.
Toolshed
12-07-2008, 16:31
Rx 800mg Ibuprofen, couldn't you just take 4 200 mg ibuprofen?
Rx - amoxacillin or dicloxacillin 500 mg capsules - antibiotic, correct?
Rx - propoxyphene - ???
Rx - oxycodone - that's even stronger than vicodin isn't it? I guess if you break an arm or something and have 2 more miles to town, it'd probably be nice.
Yes you could take 4 200's - But see what your doctor says before a high dosage. I used it as a prophylactic after knee surgery when hiking, so the high doses were better. It just alleviates taking a lot of tablets. If you have had joint injuries or surgery or are aging with normal aches and pains, you might need to take more ibuprofen than just an occasional dose.
Yes antibiotics
propoxyphene and oxycodone are both pain relievers. If you have a relationship with your doc, he or she probably won't hesitate to write a nonrefillable Rx for a couple of tabs, once you explain your intentions.
The above, of course being the cat's pajamas of drugs to have with you. Otherwise, I usually carry Ibuprofen and a couple of doses of immodium.
The name of the book was Home in your Pack by Bradford Angier. It went through a number of editions and may even still be in print. Earlier editions of the book are available from Alibris.com or check amazon.com to inquire about a current edition.
There may have been 4 prescription meds in the first aid kit recommended. I provided 2 of them earlier, both of which I used once on my hike when I became ill in GSMNP. A 3rd was some sort of eye drops, but my physician prescribed an ointment instead which may now no longer be recommended for that purpose.
I'd carry no more than you would use for a single incident. You may well end up discarding whatever you obtain upon completion of your hike.
Bring Benadryl, Tylonol PM and a couple ounces of rum, in case you really need to sleep.
take-a-knee
12-07-2008, 18:25
Look up lomotil (diarrhea) and compazine (nausea) for starters.
Lomotil is great, tiny pill, stores well. Oral compazine can CAUSE or worsen nausea in some folks. Tigan is what I used years ago, but there are better drugs now I'm told, ask you doctor.
Besides bringing some over-the-counter meds I would not bother to bring any actual "prescription" meds unless it was something that you always take.
Panzer
If you suffer seasonal allegeric rhinitis as badly as I do, you will want to be prepared for it, especially ragweed pollen in the middle states. Deep in the Maine woods is one of the best places for me in August and September as I'm not bothered by ragweed pollen when there.
Serial 07
12-07-2008, 18:46
i'm only getting into this because you stated "might want" not "should"...you are young, maybe in decent shape...how are your knees? if you feel some inflammation maybe be an issue, bring some advil...antibiotics? vics?
if you are a relatively decent shape young man, most of this will be unnecessary...i'd bring a multi before any of that other stuff...
Blissful
12-07-2008, 22:39
I took these meds -
lots of Vit I (advil liquigels for use during the day) - no need for anything stronger, esp prescription wise. If you do, you need to go to a Dr for an evaluation of the pain. Not doctoring it on the trail.
some Aleve (for pain at night only)
a couple Lomotil for the runs just in case (never needed it)
a couple Gas X
a couple Sudafed
and of course my multi vitamin, glucosomine, Vit C and Co Q
Surprised an MD would give you an antibiotic for colds and flu that are caused by viruses. They don't help. Water borne illnesses are rare.
I was the most healthy on the trail. It's when I came home I got sick.
Surprised an MD would give you an antibiotic for colds and flu that are caused by viruses. They don't help. Water borne illnesses are rare.
I was the most healthy on the trail. It's when I came home I got sick.
True, antibiotics aren't for colds. I carry them for infected injuries (blisters come to mind), tooth abscess, UTI's, etc. I've never used them myself while on trail, but have known others to use them for these problems.
garlic08
12-08-2008, 10:05
As said above, just carry things that you normally need and that work for you. I also stayed healthy until I got home, then I got a cold. I think the immune system kicks into high gear out there.
I carried a small tube of topical antibiotic (Neosporin), and a small tube of skin ointment (Benedryl). Those take care of minor issues I have out there. I've never had a headache or unbearable pain, so I don't carry pain relievers or anti-inflammatories, but many do.
I agree with a doc friend who says that fever, diarrhea, and nausea are usually there for a reason and shouldn't be stopped, usually. She also says that pain is a message--you don't remove the batteries from your smoke detector in a fire. It's very easy to medicate inappropriately, maybe do more harm.
take-a-knee
12-08-2008, 10:48
Just read something written by someone who knows what they are doing:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=183728#post183728
Plodderman
12-08-2008, 10:48
I always take Motrin and if anything else happens and Motrin won't work then I guess I am in trouble.
I would not take Cipro while on the trail or even at home, there has been a link with taking cipro and instances of tendon rupture, the tendon that most frequently ruptures is the Achilles tendon.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/08/pubcit_cipro.html
I don't have much experience hiking, but when I go I bring a lot of ibuprofen (seems to be the miracle drug out there on the trail....from speaking with other, more experienced hikers), immodium (although I never had to use it) and multivitamins. That's it!
Kerosene
12-08-2008, 11:20
I replace ibuprofen with naproxen sodium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naproxen_Sodium) (e.g., Aleve), which allows for 12-hour dosing and fewer tablets.
For heartburn medicine I've found that Zantac is much more effective than Rolaids, Tums, or Pepcid AC.
I was wondering what prescription meds I might want to take for a worst case scenario. .....
The only prescription medicine I would ask for would be the standard antibiotic for lyme disease, which I would take if I got a tick bite. Over the counter stuff works fine for the afflictions you mentioned.
I forget the name. Your Doc will know. Tetracycline sticks in my mind, but it might be a related drug. Anyway, it's cheap and relatively safe. I'm opposed to indiscriminate use of antibiotics. But taking a few pills after a tick bite strikes me as a good precaution against a potentially very serious disease.
Weary
take-a-knee
12-08-2008, 12:11
The only prescription medicine I would ask for would be the standard antibiotic for lyme disease, which I would take if I got a tick bite. Over the counter stuff works fine for the afflictions you mentioned.
I forget the name. Your Doc will know. Tetracycline sticks in my mind, but it might be a related drug. Anyway, it's cheap and relatively safe. I'm opposed to indiscriminate use of antibiotics. But taking a few pills after a tick bite strikes me as a good precaution against a potentially very serious disease.
Weary
Doxyclycline, it is a synthetic tetracycline, available in tiny pills that store well (tetracycline is typically a capsule). Be advised it can set you up for a SERIOUS sunburn while you are on it.
ATX-Hiker
12-08-2008, 12:12
Just read something written by someone who knows what they are doing:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=183728#post183728
From his article.
Narcotics: 24hrs (4-6 tabs) of a narcotic such as Lortab/Vicodin or Percocet among others. You may only be able to get this if you have a good relationship with your primary care provider. A few tabs will have minimal abuse potential (read: addiction) and if you break a bone and are immobilized a narcotic may make your stay more comfortable until someone stumbles on you. Another fairly common pain complaint: kidney stones. As previously mentioned in this thread, narcotics only MASK your pain, just symptomatic relief, so their use should be in extremis. You can use it in conjunction with an anti-inflammatory. Alternate/multitasking: will slow down diarrhea and will quiet a cough when nothing else works.
Antibiotic: the best "if you have to carry just one type" is Levaquin (no generic yet) 500mg. 10 pills. Easy dosing, just one per day. Will work for just about anything: urinary tract infection 3-5 days. Respiratory/sinus 10days. Skin infections or penetrating trauma 3-7 days. Anthrax: its got you covered. Persistent (more than 4-5 days) or bloody diarrhea: take for up to 1 week. Again you will need an RX for this and it is a bit pricey (~$8 a pill).
I'd just like to have them in case, my insurance will be gone by the time I'm on the trail. If I'm really sick I'm going to see the Doc. In all reality I'm not that worried I haven't got sick enough to family Dr. in 5 years. Just playing it safe.
Brings up another question is it worth it to get insurance (out of pocket) before the trip?
max patch
12-08-2008, 12:19
I only carried aspirin on my thru; remember you are always close to a town.
However, I also think the advice given by Weary re lyme is excellent; and I'm going to ask my dr for a prescription.
Thanks, Weary.
Greentick18d
12-08-2008, 12:32
Lomotil is great, tiny pill, stores well. Oral compazine can CAUSE or worsen nausea in some folks. Tigan is what I used years ago, but there are better drugs now I'm told, ask you doctor.
Nausea and vomiting: Zofran ODT, small tab, individually sealed. Dissolves on your tongue and won't zonk you out. Recently went generic so it can be had for much less than the previous $20 a pill. If you have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea the key for the first 48hrs is controlling the vomiting so you can take in fluids. Let that s**t pass thru. If you have that much fluid leaving your body consider taking a break for a couple of days to let it slow down, at least.
just saw that T-A-K ref'd my article (thanks Ironman): zofran is now much cheaper. Levaquin still is $8 a pill or so but is still about the best "if I had to carry one antibiotic" out there.
Plodderman
12-08-2008, 13:22
Vitamin I
Blissful
12-08-2008, 21:02
I would not take an antibiotic unless you are diagnosed first for an infection. You cannot know if, for example, you have a UTI (urinary tract infection) or if it is something different that mimics it (take it from someone who knows. I thought I had a UTI and it turned out to be an ovarian cyst) Many antibiotics have adverse side effects (they can wreck your GI tract, leaving you with the runs) and you could have an allergic reaction. The safest one that my MD said was okay to take is the one for Lyme disease. That would probably be the only prudent one to carry for Shenandoah Park northward, IMO.
IBU - 800
phenergan
benedryl
tylenol pm
alka seltzer
anti biotic cream
Toolshed
12-08-2008, 21:49
....Surprised an MD would give you an antibiotic for colds and flu that are caused by viruses. They don't help. ....
Not for viruses! Viruses not mentioned anywhere in my post...
Jim Adams
12-09-2008, 00:05
Ibuprofen and immodium. You shouldn't need anything else as long as you are not allergic to insect stings...you might need an epi-pen if so but most of the time your injuries or illness will be self induced ie: sore or pulled muscles from over doing it or diarrhea from poor hygene. You do not get sick from poor weather. You get sick from OTHER PEOPLE and/or a weakened immune system. Either way, the meds needed for those problems are usually obtained in a town and require some time in town or off the trail to turn them around. Ironically you will stay healthier if you stay out of town and stay in the woods!
I think that it would be an interesting question to ask past thru hikers whether they got sick on the trail or after they got home. The trail is a healthy place for the most part. I've got a little over 6,000 miles backpacking and only once needed more than ibuprofen and that was 2 vicodins on the PCT.
geek
Take anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen. Everything else is just reassurance. You can always get some Perc's or 'tabs from a local hoodlum.
Immodium
Ibuprofen
Oxycotin
****
THC
***
**********.
I guarantee you one crazy hike.
I guarantee you one crazy hike, far shorter than 2000 miles!
Isn't this thread in the Health, Safety & Hygeine forum? Oh, pardon me, I forgot. This is the website where hikers are advised what not to do, where we create threads longer than anyone in his or her right mind has time to read, hide occasional useful information within them and call it entertainment.
Alligator
12-12-2008, 16:36
, far shorter than 2000 miles!
Isn't this thread in the Health, Safety & Hygeine forum? Oh, pardon me, I forgot. This is the website where hikers are advised what not to do, where we create threads longer than anyone in his or her right mind has time to read, hide occasional useful information within them and call it entertainment.We're not actually sure there's anything useful in the No such as thing as a Warraghiyagey thread. We've sent several fact checkers in to read it but they haven't come out yet.
I was wondering what prescription meds I might want to take for a worst case scenario.
Diarrhea - ???
Cold/Flu/Infection - Cypro?
Nausea - ??
Pain - 2-3 Vicodin
Etc. - ??
Diarrhea - ???
If you have to carry something for this, go with a few tabs of generic Immodium. It's cheap and easily obtainable.
Cold/Flu/Infection - Cypro?
As previously mentioned, colds and the flu are caused by viruses, not bacteria, which means that antibiotics are useless against them. I wouldn't get an antibiotic up front, because if you do wind up with an infection of some sort, the organism may not be susceptible to antibiotic X that your doctor prescribes, again, making it useless.
Nausea - ??
Zofran is the stuff! It's generic form is ondansetron.
Pain - 2-3 Vicodin
If you must carry a narcotic, make it something that you can take easily and won't upset your stomach. I'd carry no more than 4-6 of any kind of narcotic and tell no one else you have them. For general aches and pains, take your choice of ibuprofen/naproxen/Tylenol/aspirin, etc.
Etc. - ??
A few Benadryl tabs or caps are great just in case of poison ivy, etc. It also can help on those nights that you just can't seem to fall sleep.
If you haven't already done so, definitely give Greentick's article a read. Also, good advice from both Greentick and Take-A-Knee, who are both former SF Medical Sergeants. Both these guys are the real deal, know their stuff inside and out and their advice is invaluable.
Zofran?
At what point does one treat nausea? Projectile vomiting?
Or is this used for very queasy/barfy feeling?
Zofran?
At what point does one treat nausea? Projectile vomiting?
Or is this used for very queasy/barfy feeling?
Once you're pukin' yer brains out, treating it with oral medications is usually a day late and a dollar short. The idea is not to let it get to that point. When to treat it is pretty much a matter of personal judgment, if you ask me.
If you are projectile vomiting, can you hold any oral medication in long enough to do some good?
Once you're pukin' yer brains out, treating it with oral medications is usually a day late and a dollar short. The idea is not to let it get to that point. When to treat it is pretty much a matter of personal judgment, if you ask me.
If you are projectile vomiting, can you hold any oral medication in long enough to do some good?
That's what I just said. :-?:D
Jeez. Dunno. Thought it might work in between the heav-hos.
Is this something for a queasy stomach? Like high octane pepto?
saimyoji
12-14-2008, 18:10
Jeez. Dunno. Thought it might work in between the heav-hos.
Is this something for a queasy stomach? Like high octane pepto?
guava juice. you'll just have to limit your hiking to hawaii. :cool:
Happy Feet
12-14-2008, 21:12
The only thing we carried was some ibuprofen and vitamins, and hardly ever used the Vitamin I. Every year someone gets Giardia or Lyme Disease and must see the Doctor.
If it was me, I'd just do my best to be hygenic, use common sense, and not take unnecessary risks when it comes to my safety, rather than carry a pharmacy in anticiaption of getting sick.
Also, being in good hiking shape when you start will help you avoid injury.
take-a-knee
12-14-2008, 23:55
Doxyclycline, it is a synthetic tetracycline, available in tiny pills that store well (tetracycline is typically a capsule). Be advised it can set you up for a SERIOUS sunburn while you are on it.
I should clarify my post, doxycycline stores well, in that it is a tiny pill that doesn't get gummy and melt like capsules can, not to mention it takes up a fraction of the space. DO NOT TAKE DOXYCYCLINE THAT IS OUT OF DATE, or any other drug in that family (they end in -cycline). Some have advocated carrying and using the two-dose regimine for attached ticks in Lyme country, if you are going to carry this stuff make sure you write the expiration date on it and replace it as needed, it is dirt cheap anyway.