Health and Medical

With many prescriptions being filled on a just-in-time basis, and with one third of the population suffering from high blood pressure, a part of preparedness is taking responsibility for your own health.

In a grid down situation, you may have to go a couple of days or longer without access to medication.

What is High Blood Pressure?

According to the American Heart Association, nearly one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. But nearly one-third of those people don’t know they have high blood pressure, because it’s a silent disease. People can have high blood pressure for years without experiencing symptoms or knowing they have it.

The upper or first number in a blood pressure reading is the systolic pressure and the lower or second number is called the diastolic pressure. According to National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines:

• Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg.
• Prehypertension is systolic pressure that’s between 120 to 139 or diastolic pressure between 80 and 89.
• Stage 1 hypertension is systolic pressure between 140 to 159 or diastolic pressure between 90 and 99.
• Stage 2 hypertension is systolic pressure higher than 160 or diastolic pressure of 100 or higher.

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

High blood pressure usually doesn’t cause any symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms associated with high blood pressure can include:

• Dizziness or dizzy spells
• Headache
• Nosebleeds

Causes of High Blood Pressure

In most cases of high blood pressure, the American Heart Association says there is no one identifiable cause. This kind of high blood pressure is called primary hypertension or essential hypertension. It is usually a combination of factors, such as:

• Weight. The greater your body mass, the more pressure there is on your artery walls. That’s because more blood is produced to supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues in your body.
• Activity level. Lack of physical activity tends to increase heart rate, which forces your heart to work harder with each contraction.
• Tobacco use. Chemicals in cigarettes and tobacco can damage artery walls.
• Sodium intake. Excessive sodium in the diet can result in fluid retention and high blood pressure, especially in people sensitive to sodium.
• Potassium intake. Low potassium can result in elevated sodium in cells, because the two balance one another.
• Stress. Stress can raise blood pressure.
• Alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol intake can, over time, increase the risk of heart disease.
• Age. The risk of high blood pressure increases as you get older.
• Family history. High blood pressure often runs in families.

High blood pressure can also be caused by an underlying condition, such as kidney disease, hormonal disorders, thyroid disease, adrenal gland disease, and the use of certain drugs, such as oral contraceptives, or herbs such as licorice. This type of high blood pressure is called secondary hypertension.

Herbs and Supplements To Avoid

Herbs that have been found or suspected to cause high blood pressure include:

• Licorice
• Ephedra
• Asian Ginseng
• Rosemary essential oil

Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Lifestyle changes and natural remedies may help to control high blood pressure, but your doctor may also recommend medication to lower high blood pressure. It is important to work with your doctor, because untreated high blood pressure may damage organs in the body and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, brain hemorrhage, kidney disease, and vision loss.

1. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

There is some evidence that the supplement CoQ10 may help to reduce high blood pressure. A 12 week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 83 people with systolic hypertension examined the effect of CoQ10 supplements (60 mg twice daily). After the 12 weeks, there was a mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of 17.8 mm Hg in the Coq10-treated group.

Another study conducted at the University ofWestern Australia looked at the effect of CoQ10 on blood pressure and glycemic control in 74 people with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 100mg CoQ10 twice daily, 200mg of the drug fen fibrate, both, or neither for 12 weeks.

CoQ10 significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mean reduction 6.1 mm Hg and 2.9 mm Hg respectively). There was also a reduction in HbA1C, a marker for long-term glycemic control.

2. Garlic

In a meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials of garlic supplements, three trials showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and four in diastolic blood pressure. Researchers concluded that garlic powder supplement may be of clinical use in patients with mild high blood pressure.

Garlic supplements should only be used under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner. Garlic can thin the blood (reduce the ability of blood to clot) similar to aspirin. Garlic may interact with many drugs and supplements such as the prescription drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin) or Trental (pentoxifylline), aspirin, vitamin E, gingko. It is usually recommended that people taking garlic stop in the weeks before and after any type of surgery.

3. Hawthorn

The herb hawthorn is often used by traditional herbal practitioners for high blood pressure.

In a randomized controlled trial conducted by researchers in Reading, UK, 79 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive either 1200 mg of hawthorn extract a day or placebo for 16 weeks. Medication for high blood pressure was used by 71 percent of the patients.

At the end of the 16 weeks, patients taking the hawthorn supplement had a significant reduction in mean diastolic blood pressure (2.6 mm Hg). No herb-drug interactions were reported.

4. Fish oil

Preliminary studies suggest that fish oil may have a modest effect on high blood pressure. Although fish oil supplements often contain both DHA (docohexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), there is some evidence that DHA is the ingredient that lowers high blood pressure.

5. Folic acid

Folate is a B vitamin necessary for formation of red blood cells. It may help to lower high blood pressure in some people, possibly by reducing elevated homocysteine levels.

One small study of 24 cigarette smokers found that four weeks of folic acid supplementation significantly lowered blood pressure.

6. Diet

Changing your diet is an important part of lowering high blood pressure. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is promoted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The DASH diet includes fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, beans and nuts. Sodium is limited to 2,400 mg per day.

Studies have found that the DASH diet can reduce high blood pressure within two weeks. These are the daily guidelines of the DASH diet:

• 7 to 8 servings of grains
• 4 to 5 servings of vegetables
• 4 to 5 servings of fruit
• 2 to 3 servings of low-fat or non-fat dairy
• 2 or less servings of meat, fish, or poultry
• 2 to 3 servings of fats and oils
• 4 to 5 servings per week of nuts, seeds, and dry beans
• Less than 5 servings a week of sweets

Serving Sizes

• 1/2 cup cooked rice or pasta
• 1 slice bread
• 1 cup raw vegetables or fruit
• 1/2 cup cooked vegetables or fruit
• 8 oz. of milk
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 3 ounces cooked meat
• 3 ounces tofu

A related diet called the DASH-Sodium reduces sodium to 1,500 mg a day, which is approximately equal to 2/3 teaspoon from all sources (processed and canned foods contain hidden salt).

Patients following the DASH-Sodium diet had a significant reduction in high blood pressure.

7. Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium

Calcium supplementation appears to have a modest but statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (mean difference of 2.5 mm Hg), however better quality studies are needed.

A meta-analysis of five trials indicated that potassium supplementation compared to a control resulted in a large but statistically non-significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (mean difference 11.2 mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (5.0 mm hg).

In 12 randomized controlled trials, participants receiving magnesium supplements did not have a significantly reduction in systolic blood pressure, but they did have a statistically significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (mean difference 2.2 mm Hg).

8. Mind-Body Interventions

Mind-body interventions, particularly autogenic training, biofeedback, and yoga, have been found to modestly reduce high blood pressure compared with placebo.

Autogenic Training

Autogenic training is a technique used for stress reduction and relaxation. It involves a series of sessions in which people learn how to control breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature.

People learn six exercises that each involve a certain posture (e.g reclining in a chair), concentration without a goal, imagination, and verbal cues. Each exercise is learned by watching a teacher demonstrate it or by reading a description. It requires regular practice.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a technique in which people learn how to gain control over internal body processes that normally occur involuntarily, such as blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and skin temperature.

Biofeedback is primarily used for high blood pressure, migraine, tension headache, chronic pain, and urinary incontinence.

Of the different types of biofeedback, thermal feedback (which measures skin temperature) and electro dermal activity feedback (which uses a probe that responds to sweat) may be more effective than direct blood pressure feedback or electromyography (EMG), which measures muscle tension.

Yoga

Preliminary studies have found that yoga may lower blood pressure.

9. Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise is an important part of the natural approach to lower high blood pressure. A meta-analysis of 105 trials involving a total of 6805 participants found that aerobic exercise was associated with a mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of 4.6 mm Hg, with corresponding reductions in diastolic blood pressure.

People with high blood pressure should speak with their doctor first before embarking on a new exercise program.

10. Ayurvedic Medicine

In Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, high blood pressure is treated according to each person’s dosha, or constitutional type.

• The pitta type may have a flushed face, red eyes, headaches, light sensitivity, irritability, and nosebleeds.
• The kapha type may have excess weight, water retention, high cholesterol, sluggishness.
• The vata type may feel cold, have gas, bloating, or constipation, insomnia, or nervousness, worry, or anxiety.

11. Traditional Chinese Medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine, high blood pressure is often attributed to a problem with the circulation of vital energy (qi or chi) in the body. Chinese medicine practitioners believe that depression, anger, obesity, and high intake of fatty foods are some of the causative factors.

A combination of acupuncture and herbs is often recommended. Foods thought to have medicinal properties that may help high blood pressure include water chestnut, turnip, honey, Chinese celery, hawthorn berries, and mung beans.

I was just reading a post about making your own DIY sterile saline solution, but it didn’t call for canning the product, and they expressed concern over keeping it “clean enough” during storage (sterile).

Here’s the thing: If you employ a canning process, you should not need to worry about sterility.

I believe everyone should have some home-canned water on hand for cleaning out wounds, eyes, etc., but it should not be municipal or even water from a well, because you can not control what’s in it – fluoride, other people’s drugs, leeched contaminants, etc.

If you must use tap water, this is where I would bring it to a rolling boil for 5 minutes BEFORE trying to can it. (Allow to cool before canning.) Otherwise, I believe it is best to use the highest-quality bottled spring water you can buy.

You could use commercially prepared distilled water, which would be a very good idea for wound treatment, but using bottled spring water (read your labels carefully) will allow greater flexibility, should you need to drink it, rather than treat wounds or wash eyes out with it.

Distilled water has had all minerals removed and is not “healthy” for human consumption in the long term; however, drinking it on a rare occasion will not hurt you – just, not a great long term habit.

You could just add sodium chloride (salt) tablets to your water; you can buy these online at amazon, among other places (100 tabs to a bottle).

Homemade Saline Solution Recipe

If you want to ensure that you’ll always have some saline solution around, without paying an arm and a leg for it, here is the best homemade way to do it:

1. Combine 1 pint water and 4 grams sodium chloride tablets (each tablet is 1 gram, so, 4 tablets per pint).
2. For a quart, simply double to 8 tablets of 1 gram each.
3. If using a granulated product (such as salt), use one teaspoon per pint, or two teaspoons per quart. DO NOT USE TABLE SALT; it probably contains added iodine, but it most surely will contain anti-caking agents, which you don’t want in your water for this purpose (It’s ok to use all natural salt, as long as it is iodine and caking agent free).

How To Sterilize Your Water

To sterilize your water, simply can it, using a pressure canner (NOT a pressure cooker). Here’s how:

1. Wash and sterilize your jars – I prefer running them through the dishwasher
2. Put your tablet or teaspoon of salt in the bottom of the jar using a canning jar funnel to keep rims clean
3. Wipe rims with a clean paper towel dipped in hot water to remove any stray grains – a clean paper towel for each swipe, to avoid transfer;
4. Sterilize your caps for 30 seconds in boiling water and place them,
5. Sterilize your rings for 30 seconds in boiling water and place them,
6. Then process @ 10 lbs pressure: pints = 75 minutes; quarts = 90 minutes.

Basically, you’re processing your water as though you are canning a meat product.  This will dissolve the salt products and sterilize the water. This water can be stored for a very long time. How long? Depends on HOW it is stored, and WHERE. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from heat source, in a non-humid environment, and it should be good for years, but you can certainly drink it whenever needed.

Note: this is not a sports drink (replacing electrolytes, etc.). If you wanted to create that, you would need to add a carb (sugar, usually) and as a bonus,  potassium and magnesium, and maybe some L-Glutamine powder. While making a home made sports drink is easy, I’ll leave that for another day.

Accumulating medications for a possible collapse may be simple when it comes to getting Ibuprofen and other “over the counter” medicines, but it can be a major issue for those who need to stockpile prescription medications.

Antibiotics are one example of medications that will be very useful in a collapse situation. However, obtaining these drugs in any kind of quantity will be difficult, to say the least.

For these and other reasons, many people have explored using fish antibiotics for human use in an emergency. * (see disclaimer below). 

What is Fish Mox? (and Other Fish Antibiotics)

Fish mox is one of the many fish antibiotics that are used to treat bacterial infections in ornamental and pet fish. The antibiotics that are used to treat them are the same or similar to the antibiotics that are provided for human use, as well.  Fish antibiotics currently on the market don’t require a prescription and mainly come in lots of approximately 30-100. Labs make several forms of them, including capsules, tablets, single- use powder packets and pure bulk powder jars.

Many survivalists often stockpile these fish meds in anticipation of emergencies where they might not have access to prescription antibiotics. This type of creative thinking can help you get much-needed medicine, thereby increasing your odds of long-term survival and putting you exactly where you want to be once disaster strikes.  

11 Best and Most Common Fish Antibiotics

Fish antibiotics are commonly sold over the counter. Labs make several forms of them, including capsules, tablets, single-use powder packets and pure bulk powder jars. Keep in mind that dosages listed on the containers vary for different brands, and they only represent what is added to fish tanks during treatment.

The list below discusses how these antibiotics treat ornamental fish and pet fish, their common brand names and price ranges, followed by a discussion about their human equivalents. Any prices listed are subject to change, and they don’t include taxes or shipping costs. 

1. Fish Mox

Fish Mox, as it is generically known, is Amoxicillin for fish. It treats common bacterial diseases such as red pest, dropsy, fin rot and infection of the gills and cottonmouth. You can buy a 250 mg, 100-count bottle for $18.99 online. As a refresher, Amoxicillin prescribed to humans is used to treat bacterial infections such as bronchitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, and those of the ear, nose and throat.

2. Fish Penicillin

Fish Penicillin is used to control common bacterial diseases, such as fin and tail rot and Flexibacter infections. Fish Aid Antibiotics carries bottles of Fish Penicillin for $14.99, while Fish Pen that’s made by Thomas Labs retails for around $18.99. Penicillin is the oldest true antibiotic invented, and bacterial infections in humans treated with it include syphilis, gonorrhea, strep throat, meningitis, pneumonia.

3. Fish Cillin

Fish Cillin, as it is generically known, is Ampicillin for fish. In humans, Ampicillin is prescribed for treating the infection of tissues and organs caused by bacteria that is ampicillin-sensitive. 

More importantly, Thomas Labs, the manufacturer of Fish Cillin and all Ampicillin products, announced they were discontinuing the line. They recommend you talk to a qualified veterinarian about which of the following alternative products to Fish Cillin is the right for treating your fish.

• Fish Flox and Fish Flox Forte (Ciprofloxacin)
• Fish Flex and Fish Flex Forte (Cephanlexin)
• Fish Cin (Clindamycin)
• Fish Sulfa Forte (Sulfameth / Trimethoprim) 
• Fish Mox and Fish Mox Forte (Amoxicillin)

You may find some places online that still carry Fish Cillin, but ones such as A to Z Pet Supply show a 100-count bottle for $48.99 as being back ordered. 

4. Fish Zithro

Fish Zithro, as it is generically known, is Azithromycin for fish. It’s used in the aquarium for treating fish infections such as tail and fin rot, popeye and more. You can get 500mg tablets in packs of 3-6, and prices for those range from about $14.99 to $24.99, respectively. Azithromycin treats infections related to ears, eyes, skin and respiratory system, while also treating sexually transmitted diseases.

5. Fish Doxy

Fish Doxy is the generic name for Fish Doxycycline. Fish Doxy is a tetracycline antibiotic that is used to treat Mouth Rot, Septicemia and Fin and Tail Rot in fish. Fish Aid Antibiotics lists a 100 mg, 30-count bottle of Fish Doxycline for $43.99. Doxycycline works in the human body to treat an array of bacterial infections that include periodontitis, eye infections, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. 

6. Fish Zole

Metronidazole for fish is generically known as Fish Zole. Metronidazole for fish is used in the aquarium to treat bacterial infections known as Cottonmouth and Gill Disease, along with some common parasites. Fish Zole sells for around $39.99. The human equivalent of it treats bacterial infections of the brain, heart, stomach, intestines, liver, joints, skin and respiratory tract.

7. Fish Sulfa Forte

Fish Sulfa Forte, as it is generically known, is Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for fish. Fish Sulfa Forte is used in the aquarium to treat Gill Disease and Cottonmouth. Its human equivalent is Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. You can get a 30-count bottle of it online for about $20. Doctors use this combination antibiotic to treat ailments such as middle ear infections, UTIs, and infections of the intestines. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim treats pneumocystis-type of pneumonia, too.  

8. Fish Flex

The generic name of Fish Cephalexin is Fish Flex, and it is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat the most active and multiplying stages of infection of certain pathogenic bacteria in fish. It is priced very reasonably online, and $10.99 will get you a 30-count, 250 mg bottle of it. The human equivalent of FishFlex is Cephalexin, and it treats a host of bacterial infections, including those of the upper respiratory, skin, urinary tract and bones.

9. Fish Cin 

Fish Cin is the generic name for fish clindamycin. Fish Cin treats Gill Disease and Cottonmouth. At one website  you can get 150 mg, 30-count bottle for $26.95 and 150 mg, 100-count bottles for $74.95. Clindamycin belongs to a class of known as lincomycin antibiotics. They work by slowing or halting bacterial growth. Certain types of bacterial infections it treats in humans include those in the blood, skin, lungs and female reproductive organs.

10. Fish Flucon

Fish Flucon is generically known as Fluconazole for pet and ornamental fish. However, Fluconazole is not an antibiotic and is an antifungal instead. Fluconazole is used in the aquarium for treating protist and fungal infections such as Ichthyophonus hoferi (Ick) and Saprolegnia. You can purchase a 30-count, 100 mg bottle of Fish Flucon for roughly $60.00. In humans, Fluconazole is used to prevent and treat certain fungal and yeast infections.

11. Fish Flox Forte Ciprofloxacin

Fish Flox Forte (Ciproflaxin) is generically known as Ciprofloxacin for fish. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) for fish is a powerful, broad-spectrum antibiotic that treats fin rot, skin ulcers and Black Patch Necrosis Syndromes. Fish Aid Antibiotics offers an equivalent to Fish Flox Forte (Ciprofloxacin), and you can buy a bottle of 30-count, 500 mg tablets for $32.99. 

In humans, Cipro should only be taken for infections that don’t respond to safer antibiotics. Cipro, also known Fluoroquinolone (flor-o-KWIN-o-lone), can cause a laundry list of serious and irreversible side effects in some people. We’re betting that the fishy version does, too.

Keeping that in mind, if it’s a case of survival after a collapse situation, consider that Cipro is known to treat serious bacterial infections in the body. People who have been exposed to anthrax and certain plagues are treated with it, too.  So, weigh the option of stocking this one for a SHTF scenario wisely. More importantly, if it’s not doomsday, Ciproflaxin for fish shouldn’t be considered a part of your prepper’s arsenal. 

Are Fish Antibiotics Safe For Humans?

As most of us already know, healthcare in the United States is really costly. Sick people and preppers alike have been known to stock up on fish antibiotics because they are a fraction of the cost that they would spend on getting a conventional prescription.

It’s important to remember that if you have a Penicillin allergy, you should not take Fish Penicillin, Mox, or Fish Ampicillin. Cephalexin is in a different drug family than Penicillin, but is quoted as having a 10% cross-reactivity rate with Penicillin. 

What Is The Fish Mox Dosage for Humans? (or Fish Mox Forte)

Most penicillin and cephalosporin meds are taken at 500mg dosages 3-4 times a day for adults, (250mg dosages for children) and will treat many skin and respiratory infections. 

Metronidazole (250mg) and Doxycycline (100mg) are taken twice a day and will treat many types of diarrheal disease.

Fish Mox comes in a pill dosage of 250mg and Fish Mox Forte comes in 500mg. According to Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, an Amoxicillin dose is usually administered 3 times a day. Usually, 20-50 mg per kilogram of weight (20-30 mg per kilogram for children less than 4 months old). 

A common child’s dosage would be 250 mg and a common max dosage for adults would be 500 mg. Works out conveniently that these are the exact amounts that they come in the bottles. The drug is taken orally 3 times a day (2 for children) for 10-14 days.  

If it is a child or somebody that can’t swallow a pill, it is possible to crush the capsules up and mix into a liquid (flavored even if you want), but don’t do this with any medication that has a “time-released” marking on them. These are intended to be absorbed over time, and too much at once may not be good. 

One of the most important things to do when using an antibiotic is to not stop taking the medicine, even if your condition starts improving. Many times, patients will improve after 3 days, because most of the bacteria are killed, but if you stop taking it, the remaining bacteria can multiply (sometimes even with resistance). 

Case Studies of People Using Fish Antibiotics

Read some of these case studies from people who have successfully used fish antibiotics:

Broke College Student Cures UTI

Carrera Howie described the experience  when she used fish antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. Howie, who was a cash-strapped college kid at the time she used the fish meds, said she got the idea to turn to fish antibiotics from her mom.

Howie explained that her mom gave her a bottle of fish meds she’d purchased from a pet store to take for the UTI after finding out that Carrera couldn’t afford to go to the doctor. 

Howie added that “urgent care and doctors’ copays are so expensive and it sometimes feels like I have to make a choice between having a provider and having groceries. They worked incredibly. The UTI was completely gone within a week, and I didn’t get another one for at least 4 more years.”

WBUR Boston Interview

One man, Andy Shecktor, said he turned to fish antibiotics 15 years ago when doctors started tightening up. The 63-year-old told WBUR Boston how it all started. Shecktor said doctors at that time were cutting down on prescribing antibiotics to patients in response to the growing prevalence of strains that no longer responded to the first round of antibiotics.  

He told WBUR that he understood the importance of antibiotic resistance. When he met some resistance to getting antibiotics from his doctor for the phlegm in his chest and sinuses, he took matters into his own hands. 

He discussed the main reasons why he turned to the aquarium for answers instead of his doctor saying, “It’s not so much the cost as the availability. It’s just the way the medical industry is these days. It’s just tough to get the care you need. It’s tough to get the medications you need. It’s tough to even see a doctor.”

He and his wife have an aging cat, a rabbit and some guinea pigs. They even had bottles of penicillin lying around that they’d gotten for the cat, he explained. The Shecktors no longer had fish but still had some of the fish antibiotics stowed away that had been bought for them. Knowing he had a little stash, Shecktor performed a little research online to see how to use them.  

He decided to try them in an attempt to cure his infection. After all, he used them on the guinea pigs once when they got sick with success.  Shecktor told WBUR, “The penicillin used for fish and that sort of thing are actually the exact same pills [as antibiotics for humans].” He also said the meds made him well, and that “he’s had great success with it actually”

Aquarium fish are dosed with many of the same antibiotics as we are, including clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, penicillin and more. Is Fish Mox effective in treating other animals though? Yes; bacterial skin wounds and pneumonia in birds, dogs, cats, horses, ferrets, rabbits, and other small animals can all be successfully treated with fish antibiotics. 

Fish Mox works so well because it contains Amoxicillin which is an effective, all-purpose antibiotic. However, it doesn’t clear up Staph infections.  Cold Spot for Healthy Pets recommends dosing the animals with 9-18 mg of antibiotic per one pound of animal every 8-12 hours. 

Be sure that the particular fish antibiotic that you use on your animals only has antibiotics in it, though. When inspecting the label, it should indicate that the only ingredient contained is antibiotics, just the same as those you pick up with a prescription at your nearby pharmacy. For instance, an antibiotic with fish scale brightener added to your aquarium helps the ornamental fish within get shiny. On the other hand, it might make your animal or someone in your household very sick if ingested.

Where to Buy Fish Antibiotics

You can buy fish antibiotics at just about any place that carry pet supplies such as Thomas Labs, WalMart, and Gotta go retailers. Don’t look for Fish Mox on Amazon, though. Amazon tends to shy away from carrying anything controversial and has since discontinued carrying them. 

A search for it yields results for Ampitrexyl, which sounds like an antibiotic, but it’s probably disappointingly not for people looking for fish antibiotics. Amazon appoarently dropped products such as Moxifish right after careless tweets debuted from certain verified buyers.

The one below for instance, extolled the virtues of how perfectly the Moxifish cleared their fish’s infection after their wisdom teeth were removed probably raised a few eyebrows. 

With increased attention shining a light on this certain self-diagnosis and medication movement over the past few years has led pet stores to review their sales tactics, too.

How Expensive Are Fish Antibiotics?

Prices are pretty reasonable for fish antibiotics, but they can sometimes vary depending on brand and quantity. One thing that becomes glaringly obvious after a little online legwork session is that, for the most part, infection-fighting fish meds are cheaper than ones you’d have to get with a scrip, especially if you don’t have healthcare insurance. 

Some of them are cheaper than the copay you pay to your primary caregiver with insurance. That, and the fact that fish are given the same antibiotics as their human equivalents are what leads people to check out fish antibiotics as a viable alternative to human ones.  

So, Can Humans Really Take Fish Antibiotics? [A Doctor’s Opinion]

from  Dr. Bones of The Doom and Bloom Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

The following advice is contrary to standard medical practice, and is a strategy that is appropriate only in the event of societal collapse.  If there are modern medical resources available to you, seek them out.

However, thinking long and hard for a solution has led me to what I believe is a viable option: fish antibiotics.

For many years, I was a tropical fish enthusiast.  Currently, we are growing Tilapia as a food fish in an aquaculture pond.  After years of using these medicines on fish, I decided to evaluate these drugs for their potential use in collapse situations.

A close inspection of the bottles revealed that the only ingredient was the drug itself, identical to those obtained by prescription at the local pharmacy. 

That’s right, there are NO added ingredients in fish antibiotics–Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, Penicillin, and more. 

If the bottle says FISH-MOX, for example, the sole ingredient is Amoxicillin, which is an antibiotic commonly used in humans.  There are no additional chemicals to makes your scales shiny or your fins longer. 

I understand that you might be skeptical about considering the use of aquarium antibiotics for humans in a collapse.  Those things are for fish, aren’t they?

Yet, if this is the case, then why are all of the above antibiotics also commonly used on humans?  More importantly:  Why are these antibiotics in the exact same DOSAGES that are used in humans?  Why would a guppy require a dosage of FISH-MOX FORTE that would suffice for a 180 pound human adult?  It is my opinion that they are manufactured in the same way that “human” antibiotics are made; I don’t have proof that this is true, but I suspect that they might even come from similar batches.

These medications are available without a prescription from veterinary supply stores and online sites everywhere. They come in lots of 30 to 100 tablets for less than the same prescription medication at the local pharmacy. If you so desired, it appears that you could get as much as you need to stockpile for a collapse. These quantities would be close to impossible to obtain from your physician.

Of course, anyone could be allergic to one or another of these antibiotics, but it would be a very rare individual who would be allergic to all of them. There is a 10% chance for cross-reactivity between Penicillin drugs and Keflex (if you are allergic to penicillin, you could also be allergic to Keflex).

This one additional fact:  I have personally used some (not all) of these antibiotics on my own person without any ill effects.  It’s important to note that I am speaking primarily about aquarium antibiotics, as some dog and cat medications also include other chemicals and are not just the antibiotic.

These antibiotics are used at specific doses for specific illnesses; the exact dosage of each and every medication is beyond the scope of this handbook. It’s important, however, to have as much information as possible on medications that you plan to store, so consider purchasing a hard copy of the latest Physician’s Desk Reference.

This book comes out yearly and has just about every bit of information that exists on a particular drug.  The book lists medications that require prescriptions as well as those that do not. Under each medicine, you will find the indications, which are the medical conditions that the drug is used for. Also listed will be the dosages, risks and side effects. I don’t have to tell you that this is a large book!

Strategies for Getting Other Prescription Medications

For medications that treat non-infectious illness, such as cholesterol or blood pressure drugs, you will also need a prescription.  These medications are not available in aquarium supply houses, so how can you work to stockpile them?

You may consider asking your physician to prescribe a higher dose than the amount you usually take. Many drugs come in different dosages. If your medicine is a 20 milligram dosage, for example, you might ask your doctor to prescribe the 40 mg dosage.  You would then cut the medication in half; take your normal dosage and store the other half of the pill.  It’s very important to assure your physician that you will continue to follow their medical advice and not take more medicine than is appropriate for your condition. Your success in having your request granted will depend on the doctor.

Others have managed to obtain needed prescriptions by indicating that they are traveling for long periods of time out of the country or telling their physician some other falsehood.  I can’t recommend this method, because I believe that dishonesty breaks the bond of trust between doctor and patient. Consider having a serious discussion with your healthcare provider. Describe your concerns about not having needed medications in a disaster situation. You don’t have to describe the disaster as a complete societal collapse; any catastrophe could leave you without access to your doctor for an extended period.

If we ever find ourselves without modern medical care, we will have to improvise medical strategies that we perhaps might be reluctant to consider today. Without hospitals, it will be up to the medic to nip infections in the bud. That responsibility will be difficult to carry out without the weapons to fight disease. Accumulate equipment and medications and never ignore avenues that may help you gain access to them.

Alternative therapies such as herbal supplements and essential oils should be stockpiled as well.  Honey, onion, Silver, and garlic have known antibacterial actions; be sure to integrate all medical options, traditional and alternative, and use every tool at your disposal to keep your community healthy.  If you don’t, you’re fighting with one hand tied behind your back. Remember that traditional medicines and even essential oils will eventually run out in a long term collapse. Begin your medicinal garden now and get experience with the use of these beneficial plants.

by  Dr. Bones of The Doom and Bloom Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

Final Thoughts

When summing up reasons for stockpiling fish meds when the SHTF, one benefit of the practice is that it allows you to have an alternate supply of antibiotics when needed. That being said, there are ways you can easily stockpile antibiotics that would otherwise be difficult to get your hands on in large quantities. 

However, before you go on to play survival doctor and ‘heal thyself’ during a collapse situation, consider that there are downsides to consider before taking meds intended for your aquarium creatures. For instance, Cipro is an antibiotic that’s not to be trifled with in any circumstance unless you really have the training and background that goes with administering it.

Additionally, preppers that know what they are doing may want to stockpile human antibiotics and antivirals, along with fish antibiotics in the event of a doomsday scenario. 

The following plan is a good short-term fix and will give you one to two courses of antibiotic or antiviral therapy. Simply, tell your doctor that you are going out of the country and would like something prescribed to combat “Travelers’ Diarrhea.” 

You can also ask for Flagyl and human-grade Doxycycline and Amoxicillin for protozoal and bacterial infections during your doctor’s visit. Likewise, you can ask for the antiviral Tamiflu during peak flu seasons by telling the physician you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

You may also want to team your stockpiled medicines with alternative medicines, too, in order to have a longer-term solution. Survivalists know that it is always a good idea to be prepared and to not put all your eggs in one basket.

*Disclaimer

While many people have used fish antibiotics to successfully treat their infections, they have not been reviewed or approved by the FDC, and are specifically labeled “not for human consumption.” This article is for reference purposes only, and should not be construed as medical advice. Misdiagnosing, self-treatment and misuse of any antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance. We assume no responsibility for using any substances in a way contrary to their indicated use. 

I’m fat, but I was fatter. Bug out? – yea right, I doubt I could have walked one mile with a bug out bag. Bug in? OK, but I’m not sure I could haul water from the basement to the living quarters.

I’m still not where I want to be with my weight, endurance and mental toughness, but I’m getting better each week.  Check this out:

March – purchased a garage-sale treadmill.  15 minutes at 2MPH was the best I could do on my first walk. Went shopping for new tennis shoes.  Shopping is fun!

April – I walked (scratch that, I strolled) my first public 5K walk/run race.  That’s a little over 3 miles.  My goal was to finish and I did but I came in last – and I do mean dead last.  They had already torn down the finish line by the time I got there. I soaked in the tub for an hour when I got home and went to bed two hours earlier than normal.

There was a sign at the half-way mark that I will never forget. It said:

Did-not-win is still better than did-not-finish. Did-not-finish is still better than did-not-show-up. You’re already a winner.

May – Put myself on a self-directed program of walking in preparation for the next 5K.  I got online and found all of the 5Ks in my area and scheduled myself for a race every-other month.  Found a walking partner to train/practice/play with.  She was a big help in getting my butt on the treadmill regularly. My motto became, “if I’m watching TV, I’m doing it from the treadmill.”

June 5K – My goal was only NOT to be in last place. I averaged 20-minute miles so the whole thing took about one hour.  New mothers pushing baby strollers whizzed past me early on the course but I finished 100 from last. I got to experience the finish line, the announcers over the P.A. and the loud music.  What a rush!  I had enough energy remaining, I went back to walk with the last-place girl. I could tell she was struggling and I wanted to support her. It made me feel strong.

August 5K – My goal was to carry a 20 lb backpack.  I filled it with small water bottles and shared water towards the end.  It’s hot in August in KY and it was more of an endurance test in discomfort than anything else. It was a large race with a mob of 5,000 participants. It was at night but it was still 98-degrees and 98 percent humidity. Night put a whole new perspective on things, I started to think about what it would really be like to bug out at night.  This freaked me out. It seemed so real being around so many strangers, at night, and carrying the backpack.  I really scared myself.  Must work on mental discipline.  Finished 400 from last but moms pushing strollers still past me. Dang it!

I couldn’t find a good race for October so my next is September 23.  Close enough. Most 5Ks have courses on level pavement.  This one is through the woods, in the mud, and with obstacles.  It’s shear physical punishment and mental toughness. As it turns out, this is very popular with the extreme sports people.   It’s not a Tough Mudder, (look for YouTube videos if you are not familiar) it’s more of a mini-muddy for fat, middle aged women but it will push me a little further outside of my comfort zone.  Ahhh, over the hills and thru the mud – I think my goal is back to “just finish.”  Wish me luck!

For me, the concept of using the 5K was motivation to train with a goal date attached.  In my area there is a 5K almost every weekend.   Committing to completing a set of 5Ks put me in a position of thinking, and strategizing how I want to change my training to improve for the next one – something that I hope will have lasting overall general health benefits.  I have a new set of “friends” now, the perennials near my walking speed, that I nod and smile to.  People with familiar faces that I can walk up to and say, “How did you do?”  or “Which race are you doing next?”  It’s nice to have peeps to inspire each other to keep going when the finish line feels too far away.

If getting into shape is part of your preparedness plan then lace up the Nike’s and get out there.  Most cost between $20 and $50 to enter.  Most are fund-raisers for good causes.  You usually get a T-Shirt.  You could get muddy. You will feel good about doing it. Yes, there are the hard-core racers, running for a trophy but never mind them.  Toward the rear of the crowd – where you’ll find me – you’ll find comfort in a large group of middle-aged, recovering couch-potatoes doing something fun and healthy.  Just show up and you’re a winner.

See ya at the finish line.