Run out of medicine: step-by-step guide

⏱ 3 min read

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.

Open in the app (works offline)

First: do not stop suddenly

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.
Do not split or reduce doses on your own. Ask a pharmacist or doctor how to safely stretch what you have.
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

Nearest pharmacy: open the map and pick the "Pharmacy" filter. Works offline if you downloaded help points earlier.
With internet, check which pharmacy has it in stock: KtoMaLek.pl or GdziePoLek.pl (Poland). Call before you go.
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.
Your medicine is out of stock? Ask the pharmacist for a substitute with the same active substance.
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).
Not sure where to go? In Poland the NFZ helpline 800 190 590 is free and open 24/7.

Home remedies for minor problems

Sore throat: gargle warm salt water (half a teaspoon per glass), warm drinks, honey (not for babies under 1).
Cold, cough: drink plenty, rest, humidify the air (a bowl of water by the radiator), lime-blossom or chamomile tea.
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.
Indigestion, nausea: mint or ginger tea, light meals.
Minor burn: cool under lukewarm running water for 20 minutes. No butter or toothpaste.
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.app 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.

Open SurvivalZone.app

Thank you for reading. If this could help someone, send it to the people you care about. Getting ready takes a moment, and in a crisis every minute counts.

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Sources

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-11-08.

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