Posted: 2/23/2010 2:55:48 PM EDT
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I did a search but didn't find anything by topic.
I am a healthy person, im not on any recurring prescriptions. I go to the Dr once every one to two years. I would think antibiotics would be nice to stock for shtf. What meds would you folks recommend stocking up on? Im looking for: Name how many mg how many pills ETA - Also, the uses for the meds would help. |
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Great questions
My knowledge/advice comes from my father who is a Doctor (dentist [D.D.S.]) I am studying to get into med school (neuropathic doctor or regular MD) my self so I know a fair share of information relating to this topic as well. Things you should stock up on: Probiotics (First and most important. First and most important. This cannot be stressed enough) - there are various kinds of probiotics (found in some yogurts, some at fruitful yield, whole-foods, trader joes, online) its hard to say which ones work the best because you really will never know i suppose...and Most are not approved by the FDA [not that they are that great anyways]. I could recommend some if you are interested but usually people hiss at me and say this one is the best, but really there is no #1 choice Why they are so gosh darn important: - when you are taking a wide-spectrum antibiotic, some can and will be vicious. By this I mean they will eat up your stomach and make you feel like crap, probably make you eat less food (less nutrients) and this will further decrease your immune system....add a little bit of stress or alot of stress (science proves that it lowers your immune system) (SHTF or TEOTWAKI) and you could fall victim to some silly embarrassing infection that is normally nothing but could and most likely kill (without proper medical care). When to take probiotics: - answers will vary by health professional. most western medicine practitioners will not even bother to recommend probiotics. - in general, you can take probiotics everyday of your life, I know many people who swear by them and take them everyday without fail. - if you are taking them when taking antibiotics. take them or eat them after you take your regular antibiotic (or take probiotics with antibiotics). - if taken properly, you will be less likely to experience stomach pain, nausea, or any other small physical ailments directly related to the antibiotic. **** I do not have my pharmacology textbook with me at the moment so I CANNOT give you the exact things it kills (gram positive or negative staphylococcus and other complicated words but I CAN give the basic things it kills which WILL apply to 99% of ppl on this forum) **** Antibiotics to stock up on: - Clamycin (sometimes spelled differently) What its used for: - Strep throat - Pneumonia - Sinusitis (inflamed sinuses) - Tonsillitis (inflamed tonsils) - Acute middle ear infections - Acute flare-ups of chronic bronchitis (inflamed airways) - Staph infections - Maybe 1 or 2 other things, but that's all for the general use directions [not mentioning combination healing with other antibiotics because you'd need a proper diagnosis and or testing to even see what you have] Possible side effects: - Vomiting - Rash - Nausea - Diarrhea - Abnormal Taste - Diarrhea - Abdominal Pain Dosage: - Varies by age/weight/type of infection/severity of infection - Generally speaking one could take 100-150mg (usually 1 capsule) every 8 hours. IF humanly possible, you SHOULD continue to take this dosage for 12-14 days (depending who you talk you) but personally would go with 14 days. - For example Amoxicillin What its used for: - ear infections - bladder infections - pneumonia - gonorrhea - E. coli (typically food poisoning from eating some fast food crap haha [IE: tacobell at 3am because you had to have it lol) - salmonella infection - thats all for general usage, there may be a few more, if there are I will update them - AGAIN I will NOT be mentioning combination multi-antibiotic regimens used to treat more complicated things because proper testing is needed for these anyways) Possible side effects (typically the side effects are close to the same but may vary slightly) - Vomiting - Rash - Nausea - Diarrhea - Abnormal Taste - Diarrhea - Abdominal Pain Dosage (again dosages are typically the same for antiobiotics but may vary by type of infection/severity/age/weight) - Varies by age/weight/type of infection/severity of infection - Generally speaking one could take 100-150mg (usually 1 capsule) every 8 hours. IF humanly possible, you SHOULD continue to take this dosage for 12-14 days (depending who you talk you) but personally would go with 14 days. - For example Storage: Just your basic storage methods will apply here - Room temperature - Dry - Sealed in container - Away from light This concludes my list of antibiotics to stock up on. There will be plenty more that you could buy/use but they will of course vary by opinion and use. I opted out Penicillin because of allergic reactions. If you are allergic to penicillin in a SHTF or TEOTWAKI you are in deep trouble unless you happen to carry an EPI-Pen with you (epinephrine [synthetic Adrenaline]). While your at it you might as well purchase 1-2 of those EPI-Pens if possible online or in a walgreens or something. Many people with food allergies carry them around, so I'd guess that they wouldn't be hard to come by. **** AS ALWAYS **** please consult a licensed medical doctor and do not take this as advice from a doctor. This is meant to for general knowledge only. haha not sure if I had to put a disclaimer or not. Hope this was helpful! |
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In the antibiotic genre, consider >>>
Name how many mg how many pills ETA - Also, the uses for the meds would help. If you want a simple penicillin - Amoxicillin 500 mg, 30 pills If you want an "improved" penicillin - Augmentin 875 mg, 20 pills A good bread & butter cephalosporin - Keflex (Cephalexin) 500 mg, 30 pills A floroquinolone - Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) 500 mg, 20 pills A tetracycline - Doxycycline 100 mg, 20 pills A sulfa - Bactim DS (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) (DS = fixed combination strength; only 1 available), 20 pills The above quantities represent a 10 day supply of each respective antibiotic. Depending what you are trying to prepare for, you might choose to have more on hand. I believe all are generic-able and all except the Augmentin are VERY reasonably priced. $4 at Walmart; free at Publix pharmacies in my neck of the woods (if supply is 14 days or less). Erythromycin is frequently used in place of penicillin in penicillin allergic people - N.B.: people allergic to anything ending in -cillin are considered allergic to penicillin. People allergic to penicillin are allergic to everything ending in -cillin... examples include - ampicillin, amoxicillin, cloxicillin, methicillin, nafcillin, etc... ALSO - about 10% of people allergic to penicillin are also allergic to cephalosporins... In terms of uses - this should be discussed with a medical professional... or get a copy of the Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy (2009 is the most current - 2010 will be released in a few months) - the small (pocket) paperback version is about $15. It is an excellent little reference book. 
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| I just asked a pharmacist at bartells if there was a good all purpose penecillin type drug, i.e. Amoxacillin, for most needs and he said that each has it's particular needs. They all are very strong but unless it's being used for the illness it's intended for it won't help much. He mentioned specifically urinary tract infections and strep throat. The impression that I'm getting is that I'll have to get a few different antibiotics for my expanded first aid kit. |
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I highly recommend several grams of Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) along with the proper syringes and 1% Lidocaine as a diluent.
Sometimes you just need a shot. Also, Bactroban ointment available in a generic Mupirocin is extremely handy. It covers most gram positive organisms. Every family should have a pound jar of Silver Sulfadiazene (aka Silvadene) for burns. There are so many more, however with the PO meds mentioned above along with my brief list, one can begin to prepare an adequate kit just in case. |
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Not to rain on anybody's parade, but as pharmacist I am curious how you guys are going to obtain these meds, especially injectable ABX. First I should probably address the fact that you can just as easily kill somebody by giving them the wrong ABX as giving them no ABX at all, i.e. w/o training and proper lab results you are just really guessing and could be doing yourself or those you are "treating" a disservice. I am not trying get up on a high horse and talk down to people, just trying to bring a dose of reality to this topic.
After the above I would agree with w/ most of what Reorx said, except I don't see erythromycin used too terribly much unless you want to crap your pants, seriously I probably see it used more to increase bowel motility than to treat infxn but I work in a hospital so YMMV. Also clindamycin is generally used as an alternative in the hospital if a pt has a penicillin allergy. Also just a small caveat, Bactrim is actually available as single strength (which you wouldn't want unless you have a child) DS=800/160mg , SS=400/80mg Also Clamycin is not available in the USA, apparently it has clarithromycin as a component Just my .02 not intended as medical advice, yada yada yada |
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A tip:
Amoxicillin is available online and at pet stores without a prescription. It's used in aquariums as a fish antibiotic. You can get it in pill form. http://www.amazon.com/Fish-Mox-Forte-Amoxicillin-500mg-capsules/dp/B00076NPWM |
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Not to rain on anybody's parade, but as pharmacist I am curious how you guys are going to obtain these meds, especially injectable ABX. First I should probably address the fact that you can just as easily kill somebody by giving them the wrong ABX as giving them no ABX at all, i.e. w/o training and proper lab results you are just really guessing and could be doing yourself or those you are "treating" a disservice. I am not trying get up on a high horse and talk down to people, just trying to bring a dose of reality to this topic. After the above I would agree with w/ most of what Reorx said, except I don't see erythromycin used too terribly much unless you want to crap your pants, seriously I probably see it used more to increase bowel motility than to treat infxn but I work in a hospital so YMMV. Also clindamycin is generally used as an alternative in the hospital if a pt has a penicillin allergy. Also just a small caveat, Bactrim is actually available as single strength (which you wouldn't want unless you have a child) DS=800/160mg , SS=400/80mg Also Clamycin is not available in the USA, apparently it has clarithromycin as a component Just my .02 not intended as medical advice, yada yada yada A couple of quick points... * One would obtain the medications through a pharmacy via a written,verbal or faxed order... From a licensed prescriber. * Since you work in a hospital, I assume you have never seen the 'shotgun start' approach until labwork is back?... We are talking SHTF here. * Giving a shot is not rocket science, and once again, who is going to take care of you and your family other than YOU if things go bad. * The reason you do not see erythromycin used any longer is that patient compliance has been vastly improved due to the introduction of Azithromycin and a once a day dose schedule. Here is the best advice I can give. Be INVOLVED with your families medical history. Keep a detailed log of the brand name & generic names along with the strength and dosing schedule. (In other words, what has 'worked' for them in the past. I know that you will not be able to do a C&S but you will have a good idea when beginning empiric therapy) Know your pharmacist, and your physician. Form a relationship with them and explain what you are trying to do. Most, not all (some will look down upon you*) will help you build a modest supply if you are an informed patient, and convey your concerns appropriately. |
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Again I am a pharmacist who has worked in both a retail and hospital setting if somebody came in with a script for 10 vials of 1 gram ceftriaxone
A) I am going to question the validity and reason for that script, not saying I not going to give it to you but there are going to be questions asked B) retail pharmacies, at least all the ones I have ever worked at, don't stock IV abx and it will have to be ordered in. I would make sure he prescriber writing the rx does so in quantity where the pharmacy can order and fill the rx with the exact number prescribed i.e. 10 vials to a package because they won't want to have any leftover because they probably will not be selling it before it expires About the erythromycin, I was specifically addressing a poster saying to use erythromycin in PCN allergic pt's. I stated at my institution when a pt is allergic we give them clindamycin not erythromycin. Finally the shotgun approach. Yes you do see that in a hospital, they have a wide range of iv abx available to prescribe with training in what sort of bugs usually cause certain infections, they also have other diagnostic training, labs i.e. lactate, WBC, as well as a RN looking after that patient (yes I am fully aware RNs look after multiple pts at the same time). If you have all that available to you then more power to you. I am simply trying to put some real world experience and perspective into this thread. Basic points: 1) educate yourself if you plan on obtaining abx for shtf i.e. Anatomy, microbiology, differences in drug classes, usually culprits in certain infections 2) learn how to I/D, perform iv admixtures as aseptically as possible, how to start IV, etc 3) realize you just can't waltz into a retail pharmacy with a script for injectable abx 4) understand that in a true shtf type scenario sanitation and hygiene are going to go down the tube which will lead to infections not normally seen in the US by bugs that normally don't cause that type of infx. 5) As mentioned over on the SB, betadine or chlorhexidine would be a good investment for superficial cuts/scrapes Again these are just my thoughts and again I have worked in retail and hospital settings in ICU/CCU/NICU, general medical, etc. so I am somewhat familiar with the topics of ABX and prescriptions. Again just my .02 ETA: format, spelling, and #5 |
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Again I am a pharmacist who has worked in both a retail and hospital setting if somebody came in with a script for 10 vials of 1 gram ceftriaxone A) I am going to question the validity and reason for that script, not saying I not going to give it to you but there are going to be questions asked B) retail pharmacies, at least all the ones I have ever worked at, don't stock IV abx and it will have to be ordered in. I would make sure he prescriber writing the rx does so in quantity where the pharmacy can order and fill the rx with the exact number prescribed i.e. 10 vials to a package because they won't want to have any leftover because they probably will not be selling it before it expires Maybe not retail as in CVS, but you can find retail pharmacies in port cities that stock or can order IV drugs, including controlled substances, for marine use. Some rural pharmacies stock IV antibiotics, lidocane and epi for vet use (I'm sure not Rocephin though.) |
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Not to rain on anybody's parade, but as pharmacist I am curious how you guys are going to obtain these meds, especially injectable ABX. First I should probably address the fact that you can just as easily kill somebody by giving them the wrong ABX as giving them no ABX at all, i.e. w/o training and proper lab results you are just really guessing and could be doing yourself or those you are "treating" a disservice. I am not trying get up on a high horse and talk down to people, just trying to bring a dose of reality to this topic. You mean you don't schedule an annual appointment with your doctor for this type of stuff. When the receptionist asked why I'm seeing the doctor, I just say "SHTF" and she understands. 
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Again I am a pharmacist who has worked in both a retail and hospital setting if somebody came in with a script for 10 vials of 1 gram ceftriaxone A) I am going to question the validity and reason for that script, not saying I not going to give it to you but there are going to be questions asked B) retail pharmacies, at least all the ones I have ever worked at, don't stock IV abx and it will have to be ordered in. I would make sure he prescriber writing the rx does so in quantity where the pharmacy can order and fill the rx with the exact number prescribed i.e. 10 vials to a package because they won't want to have any leftover because they probably will not be selling it before it expires Maybe not retail as in CVS, but you can find retail pharmacies in port cities that stock or can order IV drugs, including controlled substances, for marine use. Some rural pharmacies stock IV antibiotics, lidocane and epi for vet use (I'm sure not Rocephin though.) I have worked primarily in a metro area, a town of approx 100k and one pharmacy in a town of 1400. I have worked at Walgreens, Costco, Bi-Mart, Safeway, Target, Albertsons, and an independent pharmacy, I do not doubt your info just from my experience it is much more common to have pharmacies not stock abx than to stock them and yes most pharmacies can actaully order the abx as I stated, but like I said they are not going to want to order 1 package(10 vials) and have an rx cover two of them and leave the rest on their shelf not to be used again. |
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A tip: Amoxicillin is available online and at pet stores without a prescription. It's used in aquariums as a fish antibiotic. You can get it in pill form. http://www.amazon.com/Fish-Mox-Forte-Amoxicillin-500mg-capsules/dp/B00076NPWM Heheheh, they have Keflex too! Nice find.
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http://www.vetamerica.com/browseproducts/Aquafish-Ciprofloxacin-Tablets-250-mg-bottle-of-100.html
http://www.vetamerica.com/browseproducts/Aquafish-Cephalexin-Capsules-250-mg-bottle-of-60.html http://www.vetamerica.com/browseproducts/Fish-Pen-%28Penicillin%29-30-Tablets-250mg.html http://www.vetamerica.com/browseproducts/Fish-Cycline-%28Tetracycline%29-250mg––-100-Capsules.html Trust me........I'm a Doctor. 
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http://www.vetamerica.com/browseproducts/Aquafish-Ciprofloxacin-Tablets-250-mg-bottle-of-100.html http://www.vetamerica.com/browseproducts/Aquafish-Cephalexin-Capsules-250-mg-bottle-of-60.html http://www.vetamerica.com/browseproducts/Fish-Pen-%28Penicillin%29-30-Tablets-250mg.html http://www.vetamerica.com/browseproducts/Fish-Cycline-%28Tetracycline%29-250mg––-100-Capsules.html Trust me........I'm a Doctor. Finally a really good post from a doc...  Where have you been all these years?
But you forgot: 
Fish Zole (Metronidazole 250 mg) - 100 Tabs when your fish gets Diverticulitis or Giardia, etc... Might save your fish's life... 
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If they make that Fish Zole stuff in a 500 mg size, you might want to get that instead of the 250. It can be used for bigger fish... in case your bigger fish gets C. Diff. colitis from taking all those other antibiotics of course...
Fish Zole (Metronidazole 250 mg) - 100 Tabs when your fish gets Diverticulitis or Giardia, etc... Might save your fish's life...
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You obviously have smarter fish than I do... My fish aren't smart enough to know the right dose... and they just assume it is 1 pill. Can I borrow a few of your fish for breeding purposes - hoping to improve my gene pool with the next generation... 2 250 mgs will do nicely for bigger fish...
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You obviously have smarter fish than I do... My fish aren't smart enough to know the right dose... and they just assume it is 1 pill. Can I borrow a few of your fish for breeding purposes - hoping to improve my gene pool with the next generation... 2 250 mgs will do nicely for bigger fish...
What can I say???
"- hoping to improve my gene pool with the next generation..." I wouldn't get your hopes up... 
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A tip: Amoxicillin is available online and at pet stores without a prescription. It's used in aquariums as a fish antibiotic. You can get it in pill form. http://www.amazon.com/Fish-Mox-Forte-Amoxicillin-500mg-capsules/dp/B00076NPWM Heheheh, they have Keflex too! Nice find. Is this actually the real deal? If so, how do they get around the regulations of selling legend drugs without a prescription? I am also interested in hearing from someone with a medical background how the shelf life of antibiotics is. I see little point if the stuff is only good for a year. |
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psudephedrine (30-60 mg) as much as you can get because you re-dose every 4-6 hours, you go through it quick (without getting tagged by the cops as a meth producer)
guifenisin (600mg) tylenol (500mg) decent fever reducer and overall pain med when you just feel icky motrin (800mg) my preferred NSAID, decent pain reliever and good at bringing down inflammation when taken regularly loperimide (immodium) for when you get the runs that just wont stop. dont use for two days (your body usually needs to get rid of whatever is causing the shits) but eventually you're looking at dehydration ect so it's good to have something around just in case. pink bysmouth (pepto) best all around abdominal pain med that you can get otc sudaphed is one of those wonderful OTC drugs that actually works. When someone gets an upper respiratory infection (a common cold) all the symptoms are caused by the nose. the nose becomes inflamed and produces mucus, that runs down the throat, causing a sore throat, and runs past the throat and irritates the glotic opening, causing a cough, and if left to it's own devices this mucus will continue into the lungs and you'll develop bronchitis. My standard cold pack that I give out is psudephedrine and guifenisin (600mg) to alievate the cold symptoms and prevent a simple cold from turning into bronchitis as far as non OTC... 0.09% NS or lactated ringers (IV fluids and other supportive care will get you through most illnesses) phenergan 25mg-50mg po or IV if you can (great anti-emetic, and will put you right on to sleep) toradol IV (kind of like liquid super motrin) tramadol 50mg (good pain killer without stepping into the opiates like oxycodone ect) you can still function on it but it really works zythromax (the Z pack, good antibiotic for mild infections) cipro (nuff said) tetanus vaccination (supposed to be good for 7 years but when in doubt, get a new one if injured/cut ect) |
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A tip: Amoxicillin is available online and at pet stores without a prescription. It's used in aquariums as a fish antibiotic. You can get it in pill form. http://www.amazon.com/Fish-Mox-Forte-Amoxicillin-500mg-capsules/dp/B00076NPWM Heheheh, they have Keflex too! Nice find. Is this actually the real deal? If so, how do they get around the regulations of selling legend drugs without a prescription? I am also interested in hearing from someone with a medical background how the shelf life of antibiotics is. I see little point if the stuff is only good for a year. That's probably the last person you want to ask....
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: A tip: Amoxicillin is available online and at pet stores without a prescription. It's used in aquariums as a fish antibiotic. You can get it in pill form. http://www.amazon.com/Fish-Mox-Forte-Amoxicillin-500mg-capsules/dp/B00076NPWM Heheheh, they have Keflex too! Nice find. Is this actually the real deal? If so, how do they get around the regulations of selling legend drugs without a prescription? I am also interested in hearing from someone with a medical background how the shelf life of antibiotics is. I see little point if the stuff is only good for a year. +1 also want to know |
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There's a .mil study that has been posted here many times indicating most AB's and other meds have shelf lives when stored reasonably of many, many, years.
A person I know well has taken 11 year old tetracycline [you know, the AB that becomes poisonous after the expiry date or if you look at it the wrong way  ] and he's still alive and posting and the med worked as it should.
So many folks have become so indoctrinated by so many Politically Correct influences that I try to encourage them to not believe one F'ing thing they are told, and to find out for themselves, as some here are correctly doing. Don't believe anything your banker tells you, or your doctor, dentist, financial planner , A POLITICIAN or anyone else without researching independently and thoroughly.
If you can't, then learn how to spell Y-O-U A-R-E S-C-R-E-W-E-D. |
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There are I believe 14 known Antibiotics, any of which will get the job done depending on the state of your infection or if you are full Blown Septic.
Genemiacin (GEN) & Keflex are 2 that I have used I.V. in the past when I was septic, GEN is rather nasty going in & will kill all the good bacteria in your stomach, so have an ample supply of yogurt on hand to replenish that strain, and be prepared to sit in the ready position for a week after. (ya its that bad) Hopefully none of the OP here will ever be bad enough to need I.V. antibiotics but if you are capable be sure there is also plenty of saline on hand. Keep an normal gauged I.V. as well, smallest being a butterfly (infants) anything under a 21ga and you run the risk of infiltration or blowing the vein. I.V. antibiotics tend to run very slow rates & can clog a vein unless your a very healthy person with an excellent circulatory system. (Pill form Antibiotics have limited shelf life.) (I.V. is a bit longer & will get the job done)- just be sure to use Broad spectrum Antibiotics unless you have access to better facilities. I'm no expert here just speaking from my patient point of view, I'm sure there is at least one PJ on this forum who can give you more details than I. |
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Just my two cents here after 24 years as a trauma and ER Nurse.......listen to Rylee.....
Cipro,,,, never give to anyone under the age of 18. Septra DS is a definite as most wound infections have some component of MRSA in them, and in SHTF it runs rampant. Read the book where there is no doctor. Forget the I.V`s everyone seems to magically have on hand, are they epxpired, is your gear sterile, is your techinque sterile, how many iv`s have you started, and in SHTF do you have back up medical care or advanced care to take them too, or did you just waste your last bottle of saline. All this stuff about probiotics and yogurt in my humble opinion is crap.......lets do the science...what happens when you drop a glob of yogurt in Hydrochloric Acid......it breaks down into carbs and sugars, the bacteria die, they are not even the same bacteria that inhabit the human gut....maybe thats why there are multiple class action suits against various manufacturers of wonder yogurts etc. Use what you have taken before, dont experiment, have a serious talk with your family doctor, explain your concerns, ask questions, you might be suprised. Get immunized, stay healthy to begin with, purify your water, wash your hands etc. YMMV 
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Just my two cents here after 24 years as a trauma and ER Nurse.......listen to Rylee..... Cipro,,,, never give to anyone under the age of 18. Septra DS is a definite as most wound infections have some component of MRSA in them, and in SHTF it runs rampant. Read the book where there is no doctor. Forget the I.V`s everyone seems to magically have on hand, are they epxpired, is your gear sterile, is your techinque sterile, how many iv`s have you started, and in SHTF do you have back up medical care or advanced care to take them too, or did you just waste your last bottle of saline. All this stuff about probiotics and yogurt in my humble opinion is crap.......lets do the science...what happens when you drop a glob of yogurt in Hydrochloric Acid......it breaks down into carbs and sugars, the bacteria die, they are not even the same bacteria that inhabit the human gut....maybe thats why there are multiple class action suits against various manufacturers of wonder yogurts etc. Use what you have taken before, dont experiment, have a serious talk with your family doctor, explain your concerns, ask questions, you might be suprised. Get immunized, stay healthy to begin with, purify your water, wash your hands etc. YMMV well said |
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I remember a big thread here a few years back about storing antibiotics.
IIRC, storing in a refrigerator was the preferred method for long term storage. Also, IIRC, most of them had a pretty long shelf life except for cipro, which I believe would turn into something real nasty after a few years. Of course, nobody wants to take cipro unless they Really have to anyway
I could be wrong, but that's what I remember. FWIW, i have 45 Amoxicillin in my cabinet just for survival purposes. ETA: if you can find a friendly doctor, you can buy real 'people' antibiotics for nothing I think I paid about $8 for the amoxicillin.
Speed ETA: Also, if it hasn't already been mentioned, and Epi-Pen could be a literal lifesaver Last summer my buddy found out his twin brother was allergic to bees after he got stung and couldn't breathe!
Poor guy never knew he had an allergy! My buddy managed to get him to swallow a handfull of benadryl before the paramedics arrived 20 mins later , but if it had been a few more minutes he wouldn't have been able to swallow anything.
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Benadryl is a fair (but not great) numbing agent for topical mucous membrane applications. It might also relieve tooth pain if applied directly although I wouldn't expect it's effect to last very long. In terms of using it as an anesthetic for dental extraction, I wouldn't expect it to produce adequate anesthetic effect for the boney tooth socket. While it is better than nothing, I think that there are better choices available for this application. If you are going to use Benadryl for any of these purposes, the pediatric elixir (liquid) might be a best choice.
Infidel, benadryl has been used topically for years as a numbing agent, it can also be injected locally and used instead of lidocaine, if it was my tooth Id dissolve a benadryl capsule on the bad tooth then yank it ymmv. Oral benzocaine preparations (like Orajel, Anbesol,, etc.) are probably better suited to this purpose although for dental extractions, all bets are off. I probably wouldn't attempt an extraction in the field unless there was a significant abscess, no antibiotics to treat it, and no reasonable expectation of finding a dentist. The possiblity of "complicaitons" (like breaking off a crown, injuring adjacent teeth, etc.) is just too great for my taste. If you jump on antibiotics (usually amoxicillin) early in a dental abscess, you can frequently beat the infection but the tooth frequently becomes "devitalized" (nice word for dead). If the antibiotic does its job, the tooth will stop hurting (dead teeth don't sense "pain").
Always remember - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound (or 2 or 3) of cure - FLOSS!
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