Medication Stockpile Calculator
Plan your emergency medication supply. Calculate prescription and over-the-counter needs for your household to stay healthy during disasters.
Calculate Your Medication Needs
Why Medication Stockpiling Matters
During disasters, pharmacies may be closed, supply chains disrupted, or evacuation may separate you from your regular pharmacy. For millions of Americans who depend on daily medications, even a few days without critical prescriptions can have serious—or life-threatening—consequences.
Consider these scenarios:
- Power outages: Pharmacies can't process prescriptions without electricity. Their refrigerated medications like insulin may spoil.
- Flooding: Roads impassable, pharmacies damaged or inaccessible.
- Evacuation: You may end up far from home with no way to refill prescriptions.
- Supply chain disruptions: Manufacturing issues or transportation problems can create regional or national shortages.
The solution is maintaining an emergency buffer of essential medications—both prescription and over-the-counter—before disaster strikes.
Building Your Prescription Medication Buffer
Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Start by discussing your emergency preparedness plans with your doctor. Most physicians understand the need for medication buffers and will work with you. You can:
- Request 90-day prescriptions instead of 30-day supplies
- Ask for early refill authorization to build up a buffer gradually
- Get written prescriptions you can fill at any pharmacy if displaced
- Obtain documentation of your conditions and medications for emergency situations
Work with Your Pharmacy
Pharmacists can help you maintain emergency supplies:
- Mail-order pharmacies often provide 90-day supplies at lower cost
- Automatic refills ensure you never run too low
- Medication synchronization aligns all your refills to the same date
- Emergency supply laws in many states allow pharmacists to provide limited emergency supplies
Insurance Considerations
Most insurance plans cover 90-day supplies, often with better per-day pricing than 30-day fills. If you encounter resistance:
- Request a medical necessity override from your doctor
- Appeal to your insurance company citing emergency preparedness
- Consider paying out-of-pocket for emergency buffer supplies
- Check GoodRx or similar services for discount pricing
Controlled Substances
Building an emergency supply of controlled substances (opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants) is more challenging due to DEA regulations. Options include:
- Discuss emergency planning with your prescriber
- Some states have emergency prescription provisions during declared disasters
- Keep detailed records of your prescription history
- Store medications in original bottles with pharmacy labels
Essential Over-the-Counter Medications
Your emergency medication supply should include OTC medications for common ailments. During disasters, even minor health issues can become significant without access to pharmacies.
Pain and Fever
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - pain, fever; safe for most people
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) - pain, fever, inflammation
- Aspirin - pain, fever, heart attack emergency use
Digestive Issues
- Antidiarrheal (Imodium) - critical for dehydration prevention
- Laxatives - constipation from diet changes
- Antacids (Tums, Pepcid) - heartburn, indigestion
- Anti-nausea (Dramamine) - motion sickness, nausea
Allergies and Cold
- Antihistamines (Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin) - allergies, allergic reactions
- Decongestants (Sudafed) - sinus congestion
- Cough suppressant - dry cough relief
- Expectorant (Mucinex) - chest congestion
Skin and First Aid
- Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) - wound care
- Hydrocortisone cream - itching, rashes
- Antifungal cream - athlete's foot, ringworm
- Burn gel - minor burns
Other Essentials
- Electrolyte replacement (Pedialyte, Gatorade) - dehydration
- Eye drops - irritation, dryness
- Saline nasal spray - nasal dryness, congestion
- Sunscreen - protection during outdoor activities
- Insect repellent - disease prevention
Proper Medication Storage
Temperature and Environment
Most medications should be stored at "controlled room temperature"—between 59-77°F (15-25°C). Extremes can reduce effectiveness:
- Heat damage: Medications left in hot cars or near heat sources can degrade quickly
- Cold damage: Some medications (especially liquids) can be damaged by freezing
- Humidity: Bathroom storage isn't ideal due to moisture from showers
- Light: Many medications degrade in sunlight; store in original containers
Special Storage Requirements
| Medication Type | Storage Requirement | Emergency Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin | Refrigerated (unopened); Room temp (opened, 28 days) | Plan for cooler with ice packs; consider backup power |
| Liquid antibiotics | Often refrigerated after mixing | Keep unmixed supply; mix when needed |
| Suppositories | Refrigerated or cool place | May melt at room temperature |
| EpiPens | Room temperature; avoid extremes | Check for discoloration; may work if slightly expired |
| Inhalers | Room temperature; protect from heat | Can explode if overheated |
Rotation and Expiration
Maintain your medication stockpile using the "first in, first out" method:
- When you get a new supply, move older medication to the front
- Use older stock for daily needs; save newer stock for emergencies
- Check expiration dates quarterly
- Replace medications approaching expiration
- Never flush medications—follow proper disposal guidelines
Medical Equipment and Supplies
Power-Dependent Medical Equipment
If you rely on electrical medical equipment, power outages are a medical emergency. Plan for:
- CPAP/BiPAP: Battery backup, DC adapter for car, or manual alternative
- Oxygen concentrators: Backup oxygen tanks; register with power company for priority restoration
- Nebulizers: Battery-operated backup or portable inhaler alternatives
- Dialysis: Contact your dialysis center about emergency protocols
Consumable Medical Supplies
Don't forget supplies that go with your medical equipment:
- Test strips for glucose monitors
- Lancets
- Syringes and needles
- Insulin pump supplies
- Nebulizer masks and tubing
- Ostomy supplies
- Wound care supplies
Documentation and Records
Keep copies of important medical information in your emergency kit:
- Medication list: Names, dosages, frequencies, prescribing doctors
- Pharmacy information: Name, phone, prescription numbers
- Insurance cards: Copies (front and back)
- Medical conditions: Summary of diagnoses
- Allergies: Drug and other allergies clearly listed
- Emergency contacts: Doctors, specialists, family
Store copies in your go-bag, car, and digitally (email to yourself, cloud storage, or app like Apple Health or Google Fit).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much medication should I stockpile for emergencies?
FEMA recommends at least a 2-week supply of all prescription medications. For chronic conditions or life-sustaining medications, a 30-day supply is preferable, with 90 days being ideal if achievable. Work with your healthcare provider and insurance to build this buffer gradually.
How do I get extra prescription medication for emergencies?
Start by discussing your emergency preparedness needs with your doctor—most will support your efforts. Request 90-day prescriptions when possible. Use mail-order pharmacies for better pricing on larger supplies. Refill prescriptions as early as your insurance allows to build a buffer. Many states have emergency provisions that allow early refills.
How should I store emergency medications?
Store medications in a cool, dry place between 59-77°F (15-25°C), away from direct sunlight. Keep them in original containers with labels intact. Avoid bathroom storage due to humidity. Some medications like insulin require refrigeration—plan for coolers with ice packs during power outages.
What over-the-counter medications should I stockpile?
Essential OTC medications include: pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), antihistamines, antidiarrheals (critical for preventing dehydration), antacids, cough and cold medicines, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, and electrolyte replacement solutions. Also stock any OTC medications your household regularly uses.
Can I use expired medications in an emergency?
Many solid medications (tablets, capsules) retain potency well beyond their expiration dates, though effectiveness may decrease. In a true emergency with no alternatives, these are generally safe to use. However, liquids, injectables, insulin, and some medications should not be used after expiration. The best strategy is rotating stock to avoid this situation entirely.
What if I depend on refrigerated medication like insulin?
Plan for power outages with insulated bags and ice packs. Unopened insulin can last several weeks refrigerated; opened vials last 28 days at room temperature. Consider a small portable cooler, backup power for refrigeration, or FRIO cooling wallets that don't require electricity. Register with your utility company for priority power restoration if you have medical needs.