A surefire way to ruin a holiday is to not prepare for some minor medical matter.
The chances are that local medication will be unfamiliar and expensive, and communication will be difficult.
I’ve experienced bed bug bites in Brazil, bronchitis in Egypt, sprained my ankle on an Icelandic glacier hike, and avoided the infamous Dehli belly.
I love to travel. Over the years, I have compiled a DIY travel medicine kit that covers these eventualities and more. It is compact and fits into a carry-on easily.
The medications discussed in this blog are widely available over-the-counter (OTC) in most countries.
At the end of the blog is a link to a PDF list of the 15 essential items in my DIY travel medicine kit.
Want more than just the basics?
My comprehensive kit includes antibiotics and more effective prescribed medication. If you’re interested, read my article ‘Power Up Your Medicine Kit – Traveling Internationally With Prescription Drugs.’ Most family doctors happily prescribe ‘in-case’ medication for your emergency kit.
Disclaimer: If you have existing illnesses, please consult your family doctor or specialist before traveling. Ensure that the medicines below will not cause you harm or interact with your existing medication.
Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com
Conditions that need consideration when compiling an OTC travel kit:
- Pain and fever
- Respiratory viral infections and allergies
- Nausea and vomiting
- Motion sickness
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Indigestion
- Skin allergies
- Injuries
Pain and fever
Item 1 : Paracetamol – 20 x 500mg tablets or capsules
“One of the most underrated medications. Very safe and versatile. Use it for minor muscular pain, headache, sore throat, tummy cramps, and fever.
Use paracetamol with ibuprofen for severe pain and fever for a better result. Paracetamol enhances the effect of ibuprofen; in fancy terms, they work synergistically.”
A bonus is that you can take it without food.
Dose = 1 to 2 tabs/caps every 4 to 6 hours (Maximum of 8 in 24 hours)
Do not take paracetamol if you have a history of hepatitis or liver disease.
For my South African readers, I agree with that famous advert slogan that paracetamol (Panado) is ‘The GPs’ choice.’
Item 2 : Ibuprofen – 20 x 200mg tablets or capsules
Dose = 1 to 2 tabs/caps every 6 to 8 hours. (Maximum of 6 in 24 hours)
“Always travel with an anti-inflammatory. Ibuprofen is an all-rounder and readily available OTC.”
Excellent for injuries such as a twisted ankle or muscle strains. It helps with headaches, sore throats, flu-aches, and menstrual pain. It is also ideal for controlling temperature.
How does it know where it’s needed?
If you’re interested in expanding your knowledge, watch this interesting TED-Ed.
Use ibuprofen more cautiously than paracetamol.
It is harsh on the stomach; you must take it after eating.
Do not take ibuprofen if you have a history of gastritis, stomach ulcers, kidney disease, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Respiratory infections and allergies
- A respiratory allergy or infection begins with a dripping or blocked nose, sneezing, and itchy airways. All these symptoms are histamine or inflammatory-cell-driven.
You might also experience a sore throat, headache, and aching body.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com
“Luckily for the pain symptoms, you’ve already packed paracetamol and ibuprofen.”
Two other essential medications in your travel kit cover the rest.
Item 3 : Fluticasone Nasal Spray x 1 bottle
Dose = 2 puffs in each nostril twice a day.
This cortisone-based nasal spray is OTC. It does not treat infections but will help you feel more comfortable by improving symptoms.
Item 4 : Cetirizine 10 x 10mg tablets
Dose for respiratory symptoms = 1 tablet at night.
This antihistamine might make you drowsy. If it does, take it at night.
Skin allergies or itching
Imagine this true-life scenario.
On an Air Ethiopia flight to Bangkok, you’ve just had the fish for dinner, Nile perch. Thirty minutes later, your legs start itching. A severe itch you cannot ignore! In the privacy of the toilet, you discover that you are covered in hives, and the airline has no antihistamine onboard. It was a miserable trip.
“Luckily, you already have cetirizine in your DIY travel kit!”
Dose for skin allergies = 1 tablet every 12 hours if the rash flares. (Maximum of 2 tablets in 24 hours)
Item 5 : Hydrocortisone 1% cream
This low-dose cortisone cream might help with insect bites, hives, or mild eczema flares. Use it together with cetirizine for better results.
Dose for skin allergies = twice a day to the affected area for a week maximum
If you are prone to itchy skin conditions such as urticaria and eczema, read ‘Power Up Your Medicine Kit – Traveling Internationally With Prescription Drugs‘ for oral cortisone advice.
Nausea, vomiting and motion sickness
Item 6 : Cyclizine 10 x 50mg
Dose = 1 tablet every 6 to 8 hours. (Maximum of 4 tablets in 24 hours)
To prevent motion sickness, take the first dose two hours before traveling.
“I’ve always maintained that nausea and vomiting are the worst illness symptoms.
If you’re nauseous, you cannot concentrate on anything other than not vomiting. Let’s face it; nothing is more humbling than vomiting in public.”
Save space by packing one medication, which helps with nausea and motion sickness. It is readily available worldwide and essential in every travel kit.
Do not take Cyclizine if you have glaucoma or prostate enlargement.
Because it is antihistamine-based, it might make you sleepy.
“The issue with vomiting is that you often cannot keep a tablet down. In this case, Cyclizine might prove useless.
My blog ‘Power Up Your Medicine Kit – Traveling Internationally With Prescription Drugs‘ includes a medication recommendation for intractable vomiting.”
Diarrhea prevention
Item 7 : Probiotics
Preventative dose = 1 tablet/capsule daily. Start one week before departure.
“I’ve traveled extensively to third-world countries. Taking a daily probiotic helps to prevent travelers’ diarrhea.”
Brands available in South Africa:
Brand names might vary in your home country.
Acute diarrhea
Diarrhea wins second prize for worst travel illness symptom.
Probiotics
Acute dose = 1 tablet/capsule after every loose stool.
“In my travels and clinical practice, I have successfully used probiotics to treat acute diarrhea.”
Increase the dose if you’re taking a probiotic to help prevent travelers’ diarrhea and then develop loose stools on holiday.
Item 8 : Loperamide 6 x 2mg tablets
Dose = 2 tablets immediately, followed by 1 tablet after every loose stool. (Maximum of 6 tablets in 24 hours)
Look out for MELT formulations that dissolve under your tongue. It is helpful if you are also vomiting or lack water.
“Excellent in a crisis; Loperamide can get you through a flight, train, or bus journey.”
However, for gastroenteritis while in the safety of your home or hotel, I would not recommend it. It works by temporarily ‘paralyzing’ your intestines and keeps the organism trapped, delaying healing.
If you tend towards constipation, use loperamide with caution, as it might exacerbate this.
Stomach and bladder cramps
Item 9 : Hyoscine butylbromide 10 x 10mg tablets
Abdominal cramps are a prominent symptom of any gastrointestinal infection.
Bladder infections and the resulting urgency and frequency are common travel afflictions. Travelers get dehydrated while flying long-haul due to the recycled dry-air cabin environment. They often avoid drinking for fear of needing to use the lovely airplane toilets, another contributing factor.
“Paracetamol, already in your kit, might help slightly. It will also minimize other symptoms, such as myalgia and fever. It is not enough for severe GI spasms, however.”
Dose = 1 to 2 tablets every 6 to 8 hours, depending on cramp severity.
Do not take Hyoscine butylbromide if you have glaucoma or prostate enlargement.
Indigestion and Heartburn
Item 10 : Pantoprazole or Esomeprazole – 7 x 20mg tablets/capsules
“Wining and dining are some of my favorite things about travel. Giant, rich potions at every meal.”
Don’t let heartburn and indigestion ruin your holiday. I should advise you to stick to a healthy routine and diet, but what’s the fun?
Be equipped with your travel medication kit’s secret weapon.
Dose = 1 tab/cap every 12 to 24 hours at least 30 min before food.
Injuries
Item 11 : Mupirocin Ointment
This antibacterial ointment should be part of every first-aid and travel kit. Fantastic for injuries, as well as skin infections.
Item 12 : Alcohol swabs x 10
Sting like crazy, but pack flat and sterilize wounds well.
Item 13 : Plasters x 10
I find that the classic stretchy ‘Elastoplast’ works the best.
Item 14 : Cohesive bandage x 1
Item 15 : Gauze swabs x 5
For minor cuts and scrapes:
- Clean with an alcohol swab.
- Apply a dab of mupirocin ointment to the plaster pad and then onto the injury.
For a bleeding injury that requires pressure:
- Coat the wound with Mupirocin Ointment.
- This prevents infection and stops the dressing from sticking to the wound.
- Top with gauze and cover with the bandage.
- The beauty of the cohesive bandage is that it sticks to itself—no need for scissors, tape, or pins. You might be able to use it twice in a crisis.
- Once the bleeding has stopped, wipe gently with alcohol swabs and redress as above.
The final product in pictures
All the items fit into a 17cm x 12cm x 4cm container weighing 250g. This easily fits into carry-on luggage. Remember to declare the spray and creams at the security check!
PDF list of the 15 essential items in my DIY travel medicine kit
Click here for a one-page PDF list of all the items discussed in the blog and their dosages.
