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The other night I was sitting down and having some thoughts on the pharmacopia (or lack there of) you'd have after the rise. Everything from home medicine cabinets to gas stations to grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals, police stations, etc have medicines in them.

I came up with some random medicine tables for different locations (assuming not looted) and some effects. For some drugs and catagories there is a possiblity it appears (or a certainty), if so then there is a percentage that indicates the odds that it appears in the location. If the item has a () after it the number in the () is how much is left in the bottle/container. I haven't done pharmacies or hospitals yet.

Groccery store (gas stations and convenience stores have the same selection, but at 50% of the chance for those items with a random occurance and half the amount)
Analgesics, 2d6 bottles Tylenol (25), 2d6 ibuprofin (25), 2d6 aspirin (25), 01-70% Topical lidocaine (1d4 tubes of 20 applications)
Expoctorant, 1d4 Robitusant (20 doses)
Antiallergen, 01-70% Claritin (2d4 20 doses), 3d4 benadryl (20 doses)
Antipruritic, 0-60% hydracortisone (1d4 50 doses), 0-75% calamine (1d6 50 doses)
Anitdiarrheal, 1d4 Peptobismal (50 doses), 1d6 Imodium (20 doses)
Antiseptic, 2d4 rubbing alcohol (25 doses), 1d6 hydrogen peroxide (25 doses), 01-60% bactine (25 doses)
1d6 Neosporin (15 doses)
Sopoforic, 1d4 Doxylamine (Niquil, 20 doses)


School nurses stations
Analgesics, 1d4 bottles Tylenol (4d6+1 doses), 1d4 ibuprofin (4d6+1), 1d4 aspirin (4d6+1), 01-40% Topical lidocaine (1 tube 3d6+2 doses)
Expoctorant, 01-30% Robitusant (3d6+2 doses)
Antiallergen, 01-40% benadryl (3d6+2 doses)
Antipruritic, 0-50% calamine (1d4x10+10 doses)
Antiseptic, 1d4 rubbing alcohol (4d6+1 doses), 01-80% hydrogen peroxide (4d6+1 doses)
01-30% Neosporin (2d6+3 doses)
Antibiotics, 01-20% Penicilin (3d4+2 doses), 01-30% Amoxycillin (2d4+4 doses)
Albuterol, 01-60% (3d4x10+20 doses)

Homes
Analgesics, 01-90% Tylenol (2d20+10), 01-90% ibuprofin (2d20+10), 01-80% aspirin (2d20+10), 01-60% Topical lidocaine (3d6+2), 01-25% Tylenol w/ codine (3d6+2), 01-10% percoset (3d6+2)
Expoctorant, 01-50% Robitusant (3d6+2 doses)
Antiallergen, 01-30% Claritin (3d6+2), 01-60% benadryl (3d6+2)
Antipruritic, 01-60% hydracortisone (2d20+10), 0-75% calamine (2d20+10)
Anitdiarrheal, 01-70% Peptobismal (2d20+10), 01-70% Imodium (3d6+2)
Antiseptic, 01-90% rubbing alcohol (2d20+10), 01-80% hydrogen peroxide (2d20+10), 01-60% bactine (4d6+1)
01-60% Neosporin (2d6+3 doses)
Steroid antiinflamatories, 01-10% prednisone (4d6+1)
Stimulants, 01-25% ephdrine (4d6+1), 01-25% Caffeine (pills 4d6+1)
Antibiotics, 01-20% Penicilin (4d6+1), 01-20% Amoxycillin (4d6+1), 01-05% Levofloxacin (4d6+1), 01-10% tetracycline (4d6+1)
Sopoforic, 01-70% Doxylamine (Niquil, 3d6+2 doses), 01-20% Benzodiazepine (3d6+2)
01-15% Dramamine (3d6+2)


Drug effects
Analgesics (duration 4hrs)
Ibuprofin and aspirin - Reduces inflamation, fever and pain. Reduce penalties related to these by -1/-5%
Tylenol - reduces fever and pain. Reduce penalties related to these by -1/-5%
Lidocaine - Reduces localized pain, reduce penalties related to this by -1/-5% (topical), -3/-20% (Intramuscular, IM)
Novocane (IM only) - reduces localized pain, reduce penalties related to this by -4/-30%
Tylenol w/ condine - Reduces fever and pain. Reduce penalties related to these by -2/-10%
Percoset - Reduces pain, Reduce penalties related to this by -3/-10%, however reduces coordination and reaction speed (-1 penalty to strike, parry, dodge)
Morphine (IM or IV) - Reduces pain, reduce penalties related to this by -5/-30%, however reduces coordination and reaction speed (-2 penalty to strike, parry and dodge)

Expectorant (duration 2hrs)
Robitusant - Reduces coughing and mucous. Any penalties from this are reduced by -2.

Antiallergen (duration 4hrs)
Claritin - Fights primarily exposure based allergies, such as pollen, dust, etc. Any penalties from this are reduced by -1.
Benadryl - Reduces swelling, pain and itching related to allergic reactions (bee stings, hives, etc) along with seasonal allergies. Any penalties from this are reduced by -2, however causes drowsiness (-1 to strike, parry, dodge, -5% skill penalty, but allows a person to sleep better)

Aniprutitic (duration 2hrs)
Hydracortisone - Reduces swelling and itching from bug bites, poison ivy, etc. Reduces penalties from this by -2
Calamine lotion - Reduces swelling and itching from bug bites, poison ivy, etc. Reduces penalties from this by -1

Antidiarrheal (duration 4hrs)
Peptobismal - Reduces intenstinal cramping and diarrhea. Reduces penalties from this by -2.
Imodium - Reduces intenstinal cramping and diarrhea. Reduces penalties from this by -3.

Antiseptic (immediate effect, for every 30 minutes after the wound occured reduce the bonus to fight infection by 1)
Washing with soap and water - Reduces the chance of infection, cleaning a wound. Reduces the chance of an infection by -1.
Rubbing alcohol - Reduces the chance of infection, cleaning a wound. Reduces the chance of an infection by -2.
Hydrogen peroxide - Reduces the chance of infection, cleaning a wound. Reduces the chance of an infection by -3.
Bactine - Reduces the chance of infection, cleaning a wound. Reduces the chance of an infection by -4.
Neosporin - Reduces the chance of infection, cleaning a wound. Reduces the chance of an infection by -5.
Tincture of Iodine - Reduces the chance of infection, cleaning a wound. Reduces the chance of an infection by -6.

Steroid antiinflamatories (4hrs)
Prednisone - Reduces swelling, joint and muscle pain associated with muscle/tendon/ligament injury along with severe allergic reactions. Reduces the penalties assciated with this by -3.
Cortisone (IM only) - Reduces swelling, joint and muscle pain associated with muscle/tendon/ligament injury along with severe allergic reactions. Reduces the penalties assciated with this by -5.

Albuterol (1hr) - reduces airway swelling, generally from allergic reaction or asthma. Reduces penalties from this by -3

Antibiotics (8hrs, 3 doses must be taken to be effective chance of recovery is every 24hrs) (can be used prophilacticlly to give the same bonus to prevent infection)
Sulfonamides - Used to combat bacterial infections. Gives +1 chance to recover from infection, +2 IV.
Penicillin - Used to combat bacterial infections. Gives +2 chance to recover from infection, +3 IV.
Amoxycillin - Used to combat bacterial infections. Gives +2 chance to recover from infection, +3 IV.
Tetracycline - Used to combat bacterial infections. Gives +3 chance to recover from infection (orally or IV).
Streptomycin (IV only) - Used to combat bacterial infections. Gives +4 chance to recover from infection.
Levofloxacin - Used to combat bacterial infections. Gives +4 chance to recover from infection, +5 IV.
Linezolid (IV only) - Used to combat severe infections. Gives a +6 chance to recover from infection.

Stimulants (4hrs)
Caffine pills - Reduces fatigue. Reduces fatigue penalties by -2/-10%
Ephedra - Reduces fatigue. Reduces fatigue penalties by -3/-20%
Ampakines - Reduces fatigue. Reduces fatigue penalties by -4/-30%

Sopoforic (6hrs)
Benzodiazepine - Causes drowsiness, aids sleep. -2 to strike, parry dodge and -20% on the performance of skills.
Doxylamine (found in nyquil) - Causes drowsiness, aids sleep. -3 to strike, parry dodge and -25% on the performance of skills.
Pentathol (IM or IV) - Causes drowsiness, aids sleep. -5 to strike, parry dodge and -40% on the performance of skills. Can be used to cause talkitivness as well (IE truth drug)
Phenobarbital (IM or IV) - Causes extreme drowsiness or sleep (used for surgery/anesthesia). -10 to strike, parry dodge and -70% on the performance of skills (will cause sleep for 1d4x10+20 minutes if a successful save is not made)

Dramamine - Reduces naseau, vertigo and sea sickness. Reduces the penalties from these by -3/-20%, however it causes drowsiness which induces a -1 to strike, parry, dodge and -10% skill performance penalty

this is awesome but as campaigns continue past the year mark then there are problems with ingesting the pills that Stopped production when the zombies hit.

But besides that GREAT JOB

Actually, solid pill form drugs last well beyond labeled experation as long as the bottle is not compromised. Most off the shelf drugs in america that expire are sent off to 3rd world contries for humanitarian aid / tax write-offs. Liquid and gel form drugs, I would be much more wary of.

And yes, excellent writeup! Medical supplies are turning out to be very very important.

Now that you mentioned it I forgot to say.

A note on drug expiration.

With a few exceptions like liquid mixed drugs and some antibiotics (Ampicillin, which I didn't list/mention earlier), pill form drugs, even antibiotics tend to have an expiration date of around 2 years for more volitile things (like antibiotics, some painkillers, etc) and around 3-4 years for less volitile things (tylenol, hydrocortisone, nyquil, etc).

All of that being said, most drugs can be used at 2-5x their actual expiration date without harmful effects.

A good rule (RPG rule) of thumb is that the drug can be used fine at twice its box expiration date (just use 1 year liquid (IM/IV drugs), 2 years antibiotics, 4 years everything else). From 2-4x the expiration date the effectiveness is half what it used to be, so double the dosage is required for the same effectiveness. Then from 4-6x the expiration date the effectiveness is 1/4 what it was before, so it requires 4 doses to equal the effectiveness of a single dose.

Its a good enough rule of thumb (just don't necessarily try this in real life as a few drugs once they get past their expiration date, or are stored at high temps or humidities can become worthless or even toxic quickly. Most OTC stuff is pretty safe for way, way past its expiration date).

So that basically means that in the end your okay with a few exceptions (like refridgerate at all times drugs, since the power has been out for a long time) for at least a couple of years after the apocolypse up to maybe 10-15 years for some OTC stuff, at least at diminished effectiveness (and even several years for some antibiotics).

One herbal substitute for Asprin is willow bark. Willow leaves and bark contain salicylic acid which is a derivative of Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and aspirin was first derived from the salicylic acid in willow bark. Willow leaves have been used since at least the ancient greeks as a pain killer, though salicylic acid on its own causes nausea and gastric discomfort in some people, though it will work as a painkiller and fever reducer. Not that Phenol is easy to come by, but reacting it with CO2 is how acetylsalicylic acid is currently make (though you can still bond salicylic acid with an acetyl group to make aspirin). Willow trees aren't particularly rare in the US.
-Matt

I'd love to see more skills related to this stuff. I think Juicer Uprising had a drugs skill but I think that was Lore.

Lets not forget Condoms and Plan B, both are over the counter and will last easily 4 years after the wave, but can make survival (and being willing to survive) easier.

well i know that Cloves can be used as a local Anesthetic in the mouth (used cloves to numb my mouth when my wisdom teeth was coming in) dont know about its uses else where but it might work. Aloe will play a major part in any zombie campaign which fire is involved. hmm what else, another thing that eases Burn pain is Menthol tobacco (ive actually used this when i didnt have any aloe around) if in cigarette form remove the tobacco from the cigarette. now when in tobacco form put some water into a bowl and mix the tobacco into the bowl then let it soak for a bit (i personally like putting the wet tobacco on the wound then tying something around it so it can stay in place).

yea thought this would be the best place for this

Well, menthol in general is a better pain soother/killer then using menthol tobacco. Simply get mint, crush it, soak it and apply it as a cool compress.

I can come up with an herbal list of what is good for what if anyone wants. I have a fairly extensive list already.
-Matt

well my way is for those characters that do not have Herbalism:P and yes if you would be so kind to post your list on herbs that would be very helpful

hey azazel when are you going to put up the list of herbal remedies? im waiting for it so yea

still waiting for herbs

Sorry, I've been working on it but work+life has been getting in the way. I'm not to busy today so I'll see if I can finish it off.
-Matt

ETA on the Herb list?

Okay, here we go. I am not doing bonuses or anything else for these, this is just a straight list of ailments and herbal remedies. Sometimes the remedy is taken as straight injestion, sometimes rubbing it on the effected location, sometimes a salve needs to be made, it could the be the leaves, seeds, root, etc of the herb is used, maybe a tea is made, etc. I am not touching on that at the momement. I may get around to doing an RPG appropriate list of herbs, what they can do and what bonuses/etc they might give you (maybe something a bit like Rifts England).

Joint pain - Celery, Rosemary, St. John's Wort
Muscle pain - Chamomile, ginger, marjoram
Allergies - Echinacea
Pain relief - Clover, cloves, lavender, willow bark
Anti-allergic reaction - Echinacea, stinging nettle and chamomile
Antibacterial (topical) - cinnamon, turmeric, marjoram, lavender
Antibiotic (internal) - Echinacea, rosemary, sage
Anticoagulant - turmeric, pennywort
Antiinflamatory - anise, basil, chamomile, cinnamon, cloves, marjoram, rose hip, rosemary, St. John's wort, yarrow
Antiviral - Echinacea, rose hip, st. john's wort
Antifungal - Marjoram, turmeric
High blood pressure - Basil, celery, lemon, yarrow
Low blood pressure - rosemary
Blood sugar lowering - basil, pennywort
Broken bones - Comfrey
Cold sores - Echinacea, peppermint
Congestion - Comfrey, ginger
Cramps - Lemon grass, mint, peppermint
Digestive problems - bergamont, mint, peppermint
Exhaustion - Chamomile, jasmine, lavender
Fever - Ginger, lemon grass, yarrow, willow bark
Headaches - ginger, violet
Internal bleeding - yarrow
Parasites - Basil, cloves
Sedative - Chamomile, jasmine, lavender, st, john's wort
Stimulant - cloves, rosemary
Toothache - cloves
Vomiting - bergamont, lemon, mint
Weak pulse - Alfalfa, ginger
Wounds - Yarrow

That is by no means a complete list, but it should give you a good idea of different herbal remedies for various ailments that your characters might face in dead reign. The effectiveness of any given treatment can of course vary from none to extremely effective. One of these days I'll try to come up with something specifically for DR as a list of ailments and seperately the herbs themselves describing the herb, where it can be found its uses and what its effect is when used (say +1 on a saving roll, heals faster, etc, etc). Don't expect it any week soon though.
-Matt

Thank you for the list man

Great source marterial. Thank you for composing it for our use.