What Is The Difference
For an antibiotic to work properly, it isnt enough for it to contain a certain ingredient . The antibiotics also must be formulated to ensure absorption in the patient and absorption in the right place.
For example, antibiotics for cows will need to be formulated differently than those for humans.
As far as fish antibiotics go, you CAN NOT take powders or pellet forms of the antibiotics and expect them to be effective on humans. These are meant for fish.
However, if you see pill or tablet antibiotics marketed as for fish, these are really human forms of the medicines that have just been labeled for fish to get around the prescription requirement. I feel bad for any pet owner who mistakenly buys pill forms of antibiotics for their fish!
How can you be sure that the fish antibiotics you buy really are meant for humans?
Read on
This Is Why Taking Fish Medicine Is Truly A Bad Idea
Those who misuse aquatic antibiotics are playing a dangerous game with their health, doctors and veterinarians say
Earlier this month, a from author Rachel Sharp alerted the Internet to a disturbing trend: Some people were resorting to taking fish antibiotics to cure their ailments. Yes, fish antibiotics. Sharps Tweet, which quickly went viral, included a screenshot of several thinly veiled Amazon reviews left by humans who were clearly using the aquatic pet medicine Moxifish on themselves.
Naturally, the Internet was appalled. But few stopped to ask: whats actually so wrong with taking fish antibiotics?
How bad is American healthcare?Read the reviews for aquarium antibiotics and decide for yourself.
Rachel Sharp
Its not quite as crazy as it sounds. Fish are given many of the same antibiotics as humansamoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, penicillin and moresometimes even in the same doses. These pills, which are intended to be dissolved in fish tanks and be absorbed through fishes’ skin, can also look extremely similar to the human versions. And while a trip to the doctor can rack up hundreds of dollars for someone who doesn’t have insurance, a bottle of 30 500mg capsules of Moxifish costs just $29.95 from the supplier, Fishceuticals.
But there are a few key reasons why taking your fishs drugs is a very bad, no good idea. Lets start at the top.
But even if fish meds were labeled as human-grade medicines, using them to self-medicate would still be a bad idea.
Fish Antibiotics For Survival
One of the major issues many preppers face in preparing for a grid down or SHTF scenario is what to do about illnesses, infections, and injuries that are bound to happen. The world will be in chaos. Doctors and pharmacies will be overrun quickly. Public services will be overwhelmed or possibly shut down entirely.
Preparing now, to deal with illness, disease, and injury, by adding fish antibiotics to your stockpile, is one more way to tip the odds in your favor when SHTF. In truth, fish antibiotics for survival is a pretty controversial topic. There are some who believe it to be insanity. But others swear that fish antibiotics can save human lives. Youll ultimately have to decide for yourself, all I can provide is information to help you decide.
Your first line of defense is, of course, prevention. But you wont be able to wrap yourself or loved ones in a bubble to keep them from getting sick or injured when SHTF.
Luckily, many symptoms of illnesses, injuries, and diseases can be treated with standard first aid supplies that are readily available and easy to stockpile. Still others can be treated or healed with readily accessible medicinal herbs and plants that can be foraged or cultivated.
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Can You Buy Over The Counter Amoxicillin
No, you cannot get amoxicillin over the counter. You cannot buy amoxicillin over the counter because it only treats certain conditions that need to be diagnosed by a doctor and it has potentially dangerous side effects and drug interactions. You will need a prescription from a doctor in order to buy amoxicillin.
What Else Is Out There
In addition to adding fish antibiotics to your survival stockpile, research and identify what else is out there that can help you keep yourself and your family alive if you get sick or hurt in a survival situation. Consider not only stockpiling fish antibiotics but also stocking up on OTC medications, and growing or foraging for medicinal plants and herbs that can be made into tinctures and ointments for use when needed.
Another little known fact is that studies have shown that many people dont get sufficient vitamins and minerals in their diets. In fact, many people could be suffering from various ailments including fatigue, weak bones, and a weakened immune system right now because of a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Without the proper level of minerals and vitamins, your body cannot function the way its supposed to work.
Consider ways to add the following vitamins and minerals to your diet both now and if you find yourself in a SHTF or survival situation:
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
Have you considered using or stockpiling fish antibiotics for survival? Are you already using fish antibiotics or other natural remedies to treat pain or other illnesses? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below.
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Do Fish Antibiotics Really Cure Bronchitis In Fish
If you had fish as a kid you probably remember having to treat their water with medicine at some point during their short life span. That treatment was likely an antibiotic in the forms of drops or powder designed for fish and made to be absorbed through their skin. As an adult, you have heard preppers talking about taking fish antibiotics and youve maybe even clicked a link or two and thought about buying some yourself. But have you ever wondered why fish antibiotics come in pill form? Fish cant take pills, can they?
If you read some of the reviews for fish antibiotics on Amazon, you might get confused by the comments about fish getting bronchitis the week before a new job or having infected gums and being cured with fish mox pills. But dont worry, fish dont really get bronchitis or infected gums. These are actual people posting reviews of fish antibiotics and referring to their loved ones or themselves as fish. In fact, many people buy fish antibiotics because they are cheaper than prescription antibiotics.
Freshwater Aquarium Disease Prevention Recognition And Treatment
Hobbyists who take proper care of their aquariums will rarely encounter sick fish but there is no guarantee that you will never have to treat your fish for a disease. Almost all health problems can be avoided by maintaining proper water chemistry and pristine water quality, feeding a varied diet of high-quality fish foods, and providing fish with an optimum habitat and suitable tank mates. Knowing how to prevent diseases as well as being able to recognize and treat problems before they become unmanageable will ensure years of success and enjoyment with your aquarium. Keep reading to learn how to keep your fish healthy, spot problems early and treat common fish diseases.
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Is It Safe To Use
Although the primary ingredient is the same as in antibiotics taken by humans, they possibly contain liquids or flakes that could be harmful to people. Moreover, they might react with any medication you are already taking . If you are allergic to penicillin, you may experience side effects like chest tightness, extreme itchiness, skin rash, sore throat, swelling of the face, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and upset stomach .
Keep out of reach of children, and store in a dry place at room temperature.
Do not give these medications to fishes that are meant to be used for food .
Serious Bacterial Infections Require Antibiotics
But if you or a loved one gets a tooth abscess, comes down with a respiratory bacterial infection, or ends up with an infected wound, what will you do? Serious bacterial infections require antibiotics and without them, you or your loved one could die. For many people, this fear leads to stockpiling antibiotics, just in case.
You can ask your regular physician to prescribe an extra ten or 14 days worth of penicillin perhaps. But one extra dose of antibiotics isnt much. And one type of antibiotic isnt a cure all for the many different infections you could get. In todays world, physicians increasingly fear resistance to antibiotics and therefore are limiting the times and frequency with which they will prescribe antibiotics.
There arent any physicians who will prescribe you large amounts of several different types of antibiotics so you can keep them in your stockpile. This has made it difficult for preppers to stockpile antibiotics and store them for a SHTF scenario.
So what can you do? How can you get antibiotics without a prescription so you can stockpile them for the future? More and more people are considering fish antibiotics as a potential solution.
Keep reading for more information on the benefits of fish antibiotics. Well explain some of the mystery in fish antibiotics, how to choose the right fish antibiotics, and give you some suggestions on where to buy fish antibiotics for your stockpile.
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Where Can I Buy Fish Antibiotics
One of the most common questions people ask me about fish antibiotics for survival, is where can I buy fish antibiotics? One of the key things is that you do you research on your own and buy from a reputable manufacturer. I recommend purchasing online and that you do not buy from Craigs List, EBay, etc.
One of the most trusted brands for fish antibiotics in the prepping community is ThomasLabs. This is where my own research led me and this is the only source I will buy from. There are tons of companies that offer ThomasLabs brand fish antibiotics. But you still must do your own research, then check the pills you receive using the pill identifier once they arrive. There are no regulations on fish antibiotics so USP and Pharmaceutical grade labels can be misleading.
The Argument For Taking Fish Antibiotics
As mentioned above, the biggest advantage of getting fish antibiotics is that theyre so easy to come across. Take a quick look through Amazon, and youll see tons of different options to choose from that you can purchase without any sort of prescription. Just add the antibiotic to your cart, pay for it with your card, and itll be at your doorstep within a few days.
Most antibiotics cost around $20 to $50, and when compared to a doctors visit that requires a prescription and a few hundred dollars, it makes sense as to why people would choose to go this route when trying to figure out how to get antibiotics for prepping.
So, the ease of use is certainly there, but what about the safety side of things? These are fish antibiotics, and as such, werent designed for human use.
Well get into what some have to say against this in a bit, but theres a decent argument to be made for why some firmly believe in taking the stuff.
For starters, fish antibiotics are quite similar to whats prescribed to humans. When buying fish antibiotics, buy ones that include only one ingredient, such as amoxicillin, penicillin, ampicillin, etc.
There are some fish antibiotics that contain other ingredients for fish health supplements, and these are the ones youll absolutely want to avoid.
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Warnings About Using Fish Antibiotics For Prepping
Dosages
Taking the wrong dosage or the wrong type of antibiotic can be dangerous. In addition, taking medication that isnt what you believe it is or which has other ingredients or fillers, can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Storage of Fish Antibiotics
Just like prescription antibiotics and OTC medications, fish antibiotics can be susceptible to improper storage conditions. Make sure that you follow all manufacturer instructions for properly storing your fish antibiotics. Rotate what you have so that your freshest medication is in your stockpile.
Diagnosis
If you have a viral or parasitic issue going on, and not a bacterial infection, antibiotics wont help. Whenever possible, you should be diagnosed by a physician who can advise you as to the proper type of human antibiotic, dosage and course of treatment so you can find the equivalent in fish antibiotics.
Antibiotic Resistance
Using antibiotics when you dont really need them increases resistance, something scientists believe is the reason for the increase in antibiotic-resistant superbugs. If you stop taking the fish antibiotics before the recommended course of treatment is over, you risk that infection lying dormant and coming back even stronger and more resistant. Its just as important to take fish antibiotics for the full course of treatment as it is for prescribed antibiotics.
Risk of Using Fish Antibiotics
Products Touting Natural Extracts
- Melafix is a natural antibacterial remedy with Tea Tree extract to treat bacterial infections. Heals wounds, ulcers and removes parasitic flatforms
- PrimaFix is a natural antifungal and antibacterial remedy with West Indian Bay Tree extract to treat fungal infections and external bacterial infections.
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Can I Use Human Antibiotics On My Fish
While human consumption of fish antibiotics is likely low, any consumption by humans of antibiotics intended for animals is alarming, says study co-author Brandon Bookstaver. When fish are under the weather, they can be treated with antibiotic pills, which are popped into their tanks and absorbed through the skin.
Other Factors To Consider When Researching Fish Antibiotics For Humans
1. Does the fish antibiotic have only 1 ingredient The last thing anyone wants is to buy and take one of these products that also includes a fish health supplement in it that has not been used by humans. Make sure before you buy that the only ingredient in the capsules is the antibiotic that you want such as:
- Amoxicillin
- Penicillin
- Ampicillin
2. Make sure that the dosages are appropriate to what is recommended by a doctor or a well respected resource such as Drugs.com.
3. Store antibiotics properly These medications should be kept in a cool, dark place with the original seal intact until needed. It is also essential to monitor the expiration date if each bottle and discard and replace any that are out of date.
4. Be aware of allergies A small segment of the population is allergic to Penicillin and its derivative medicines. Be aware of all medical allergies for anyone you are making a Bug Out Plan for.
5. The rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria in modern society is a major threat to modern medicine. The frequent use of antibiotics in both humans and animals has accelerated this trend. Best practice is to use these drugs only when necessary.
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What Is Fish Mox
Fish mox is one of the many fish antibiotics that are used to treat bacterial infections in ornamental and pet fish. The antibiotics that are used to treat them are the same or similar to the antibiotics that are provided for human use, as well. Fish antibiotics currently on the market dont require a prescription and mainly come in lots of approximately 30-100. Labs make several forms of them, including capsules, tablets, single- use powder packets and pure bulk powder jars.
Now it may be a little reckless to rely on fish antibiotics when civilization is our safety net. Still, in the absence of such amenities, youll want to be thinking ahead to provide enough antibiotics to protect your family or group in a collapse situation.
Many survivalists often stockpile these fish meds in anticipation of emergencies where they might not have access to prescription antibiotics. This type of creative thinking can help you get much-needed medicine, thereby increasing your odds of long-term survival and putting you exactly where you want to be once disaster strikes.
Best And Most Common Fish Antibiotics
Fish antibiotics are commonly sold over the counter. Labs make several forms of them, including capsules, tablets, single-use powder packets and pure bulk powder jars. Keep in mind that dosages listed on the containers vary for different brands, and they only represent what is added to fish tanks during treatment.
The list below discusses how these antibiotics treat ornamental fish and pet fish, their common brand names and price ranges, followed by a discussion about their human equivalents. Any prices listed are subject to change, and they dont include taxes or shipping costs.
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Fish Antibiotics For Humans: A Safe Option For Your Survival Kit
There has been a lot of buzz lately among disaster preparedness blogs and forums about the idea of stocking up on fish antibiotics for humans in the event that there is a disaster or bug out situation and normal medical channels such as doctors, pharmacies, and hospitals are not functioning.
In this guide, we will examine the safety and feasibility of this option as well as look at some other important factors to consider.
Contents
Aquarium Branded Antibiotics Containing Common Human Antibiotics
- FISH-MOX which is Amoxicillin 250mg
- FISH-MOX FORTE which is Amoxicillin 500mg
- FISH-FLEX which is Keflex 250mg
- FISH-FLEX FORTE which is Keflex 500mg
- FISH-ZOLE which is Metronidazole 250mg
- FISH-PEN which is Penicillin 250mg
- FISH-PEN FORTE which is Penicillin 500mg
***I am not going to provide any information on correct dosages or advice on allergies/precautions or what each antibiotic treats etc. It is entirely 100% your responsibility to do your own research here. It is vital you can identify any tablets you purchase and know what treats what and the dosage/precautions etc for the people you are treating.***
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