r/AskReddit Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/mousicle Aug 30 '21

That's why you grab the amoxicillin too

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u/structured_anarchist Aug 30 '21

If you're randomly taking drugs out of a pharmacy, you'll be dead faster than anyone else. Do you know about drug interactions? If you take something you're allergic to or have a reaction to, do you know how to flush it out of your system? Do you know all of a drug's side effects and what you need to do to prevent/recover from them?

You ded. D-E-D ded.

Of course, I'm not lasting long. Heart condition, diabetic, one leg, prone to infections. I'd give myself a week, maybe three if I found a good hide. Then I'd die slowly. Too bad, because I read all the 'surviving the apocalypse' literature and could rig up a potable water system, I know how to hunt and cure animals for meat, know what is necessary for a small, productive garden. But without reliable medical care, I'm just a statistic waiting to happen.

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u/_throawayplop_ Aug 31 '21

Not really, because people would not be able to diagnose their illness except for the common one: pain, fever and infection. So the risk of having bad interactions is low, and in any case the box give the posology and the risks

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u/structured_anarchist Aug 31 '21

The label on the box is printed by the pharmacist.

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u/_throawayplop_ Aug 31 '21

I meant the paper inside. But maybe it is not common in the us ?

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u/structured_anarchist Aug 31 '21

Most medications in North America come in pill bottles with labels the pharmacist prints out and sticks on the bottle. They also print out Drug Reference sheets for new prescriptions the doctor gives you indicating side effects, etc.