Run out of medicine: a practical guide

Pharmacy, prescription, what to do, home remedies. A guide based on official advice. The same text is in the free SurvivalZone app and works without internet.

First: do not stop suddenly

1. Some medicines must not be stopped suddenly: insulin, epilepsy medicines, blood thinners, steroids (e.g. prednisone), heart and blood-pressure medicines and many psychiatric medicines. If you take one and have 1–3 days left, act today.
2. Do not split or reduce doses on your own. Ask a pharmacist or doctor how to safely stretch what you have.
3. Take the box or the medicine list from the app (SOS screen → My medicines). The pharmacist and doctor can help faster.

Where to get it

1. Nearest pharmacy: open the map and pick the "Pharmacy" filter. Works offline if you downloaded help points earlier.
2. With internet, check which pharmacy has it in stock: KtoMaLek.pl or GdziePoLek.pl (Poland). Call before you go.
3. No prescription and your health is at risk? In Poland a pharmacist can issue a pharmaceutical prescription (usually the smallest pack). Not for narcotic or psychotropic medicines.
4. Your medicine is out of stock? Ask the pharmacist for a substitute with the same active substance.
5. New prescription: your GP can issue an e-prescription by phone consultation. Out of hours, use night and holiday care (in Poland weekdays 18:00–8:00, weekends and holidays 24 h).
6. Not sure where to go? In Poland the NFZ helpline 800 190 590 is free and open 24/7.

Home remedies for minor problems

1. Sore throat: gargle warm salt water (half a teaspoon per glass), warm drinks, honey (not for babies under 1).
2. Cold, cough: drink plenty, rest, humidify the air (a bowl of water by the radiator), lime-blossom or chamomile tea.
3. Diarrhoea: rehydration matters most. Home solution: 1 litre of boiled water, 6 level teaspoons of sugar and half a level teaspoon of salt. Sip slowly.
4. Indigestion, nausea: mint or ginger tea, light meals.
5. Minor burn: cool under lukewarm running water for 20 minutes. No butter or toothpaste.
6. Small cut: rinse with clean water, cover with a clean dressing, change daily.

Watch out

• No plant or home remedy can replace a prescription medicine such as insulin, heart medicines, blood thinners or epilepsy medicines.
• Herbs can change how medicines work. St John's wort, ginkgo and grapefruit juice interact dangerously with many medicines. Ask a pharmacist.
• Call 112 for chest pain, breathlessness, loss of consciousness, seizures, stroke signs, very high or very low blood sugar or heavy bleeding.

Keep it on your phone

SurvivalZone is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.

Other guides

• 💧 How to make water safe
• 🍲 Food without power
• ⛺ Shelter at home and outdoors
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Protecting your family and yourself

All scenarios →

Sources

• BBK guide "Vorsorgen für Krisen und Katastrophen" (Germany)
• Polish government safety guide (MON, MSWiA, RCB, 2025)

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-10-18.

General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.