Your chronic medication needs to travel with you. But what about boosting your kit with other prescribed meds like antibiotics?
I also have advice for travelling internationally with prescription medication.
Over the years, through my experiences and feedback from patients, I have come up with suggestions for ‘in-case’ prescription drugs to boost your medicine kit.
“I recommend 15 essential OTC items in my post on a DIY travel medicine kit. Always travel with the basics.”
Most GPs do not have an issue scripting additional emergency medication for international trips.
Photo by Alexandros Chatzidimos: https://www.pexels.com
Rules for travelling internationally with prescription medication
1. Keep the medication in its original boxes
2. Carry the original prescription or a letter from your Doctor
3. Pack carry-on medication together in a clear bag for security checks
- This is very important for liquids, creams, and inhalers.
- Notify security of any medical devices being taken on board.
4. Research your destination
- Certain countries have a ban on some medication classes.
- You might be in trouble with the law for carrying illegal medication. Officials may confiscate chronic medicine if you do not follow the correct procedures.
- Recheck each time you travel to the same destination in case of changes.
Saudi Arabia and Australia are two of the strictest countries in this regard. However, research any destination’s requirements well in advance.
What useful prescription medication should I be travelling with internationally?
“I will list my recommendations in the categories below. You can then decide what you need and ask your Doctor for specific items.”
Five medications that are useful for anybody
Getting sick in a place where the language and medical system are foreign can be scary or expensive.
” I advise anyone crossing borders to travel with the five prescribed drugs below, if possible.”
1. Cefuroxime antibiotic
Cefuroxime is a great all-rounder and can be used for:
- Respiratory tract infections (RTI) which present with green or yellow mucous
- Tonsillitis or very sore throats
- Urinary tract infections
- Skin or wound infections
2. Azithromycin antibiotic
Azithromycin is a versatile antibiotic used for:
- Respiratory tract infections (RTI), especially with dry, itchy, or spasming coughs
- Travelers’ diarrhea
3. Oral cortisone
Examples are prednisone and methylprednisolone.
Have you ever been on a flight where your sinuses felt like they might explode or your ears burst? Or, have you ever had a severe, unexpected allergic reaction? Like the example, I mentioned in my DIY travel medicine kit blog.
Oral cortisone is an essential emergency medicine if you are asthmatic or suffer from severe eczema.
Prednisone is cheap and can be a lifesaver.
“I like traveling with methylprednisolone. Although it is more expensive, it comes in easy-to-pack blister packaging.”
4. Ondansetron dispersable tablets
Having some potent, fast-acting anti-nausea tablets on hand is always useful.
Sometimes, when vomiting, it is impossible to keep a tablet down for long enough to allow it to work. Two or three tablets are fine for the rare crisis.
NB – Ensure the pharmacist gives you the dispersible version you can dissolve under your tongue.
5. Chloramphenicol antibiotic ointment
“In 2011, in the remote, charming, but filthy town of Darjeeling, India, I contracted the most horrific eye infection. Since then, a tube of chloramphenicol ointment has been in my travel medicine kit.”
It can replace the mupirocin ointment recommended in my DIY travel medicine kit for wounds.
Medications specifically relevant to you
Chronic medication and contraceptives
“At my practice in Cape Town, I saw many tourists needing scripts for their chronic medication. Good business for me, but an unnecessary expense and waste of holiday time for them!”
- Your doctor’s prescription is not valid in other countries. It is no joke running out of chronic medication overseas. Firstly, you will need to find a doctor. One that, hopefully, understands you.
- Make sure you have enough of a supply of medication that you are taking daily.
- You need to plan if you are traveling internationally or for an extended time.
Acute situations
“Chat to your doctor about ‘in-case’ scripts relevant to your history. Below are two examples I see commonly in practice.”.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) medication
- Traveling can be stressful even though it is often done for pleasure. HSV is triggered by stress, and genital herpes is guaranteed to ruin your holiday.
- Be prepared and travel with a prescribed HSV antiviral if at risk.
Vaginal thrush medication
- This is another irritating illness seen in susceptible travelers.
- Some common triggers are hotel soaps, long hours in a pool, or swimming.
“If you are prone to candida infections like me, carry a fluconazole 150mg capsule in your travel medicine kit.”
How do I know when to start my prescribed medication?
Be sure you are prepared with an answer before you leave:
- Run through the criteria for taking each drug with your doctor before you leave, or
- organize to consult virtually with your GP for advice while you are away.
