Travel Medicine Kit List: Must-Haves

Travel can be really exciting, but it can also expose you to foreign germs and diseases that your body isn’t used to fighting off. To protect yourself, it’s best to build your own travel medicine kit before heading off on your trip to prepare you for an emergency or a pesky bout of illness. We put together our own DIY travel medicine kits to cover us on our most recent adventures, and we wanted to share what we put in them with you today!

The most important thing about travelling with medication is knowing your destination’s laws. Some countries have strict rules about what medications you can bring into the country, and others may not allow certain medicines at all. Also, some countries may require you to get special permission from the embassy before entering. Make sure you know where you’re headed and do your research on their customs before travelling.

The next thing to consider is the duration of your travels. If it’s only for the weekend, then it might be feasible to carry around your medication in its original packaging without worrying too much about space or weight limitations. However, if you’ll be travelling for more than three weeks, then it’s worth considering purchasing a travel-sized container to pack everything inside. If you look through the Chemist Warehouse catalogue, you’ll find all the medications you need in various sizes.

Remember that different types of medication should never be mixed up! Keep them separate so that they don’t interact with each other while travelling. As far as packing goes, the best way to organise your travel kit is by dividing it into three categories:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications;
• Prescription medications; and medical supplies like syringes, needles, bandaids, and antiseptic wipes.
• You may also want to include vitamins or anything else necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle during your travels.

If you need medication for an ongoing condition, then make sure you take enough for the entire duration of your trip. If possible, carry a spare supply with you, just in case. That way, you won’t find yourself stuck without medication because of a delivery mix-up or delayed package. You may also have to consult your doctor before travelling about switching some prescriptions, so they’re more readily available abroad. For example, some medications that require refrigeration may not work when taken abroad, where power is unreliable.

How To Put Together A Diy Travel Medicine Kit

Before you embark on your next trip, it’s a good idea to put together your own DIY travel medicine kit to keep with you at all times. If you get sick and need medical attention, you’ll want to be prepared with the proper information and resources to help avoid any confusion or misdiagnosis.

The following list will help you put together the perfect DIY travel medicine kit so you can remain healthy and happy while on the road!

1. Essential Medicine

Travelling with medication to Europe can be confusing. Bringing your medication with you is not only important for your health but necessary by law in most countries. You may need prescriptions or travel medications such as antimalarials, antibiotics, and anti-epileptic medicines. Different rules could apply depending on the type of medication and the country
you are visiting. Make sure you do your research before packing! To avoid confusion and ensure safety, it’s best to take out travel insurance when travelling abroad. One more thing: pack a copy of your prescription!

2. Ointment And Antiseptic

A good general rule is that an ointment and an antiseptic should be present in any first aid kit, whether you are treating injuries or just travelling. This will help not only with cuts and scrapes, but it also helps prevent infections while you are travelling. We
recommend Tiger Balm (or a similar ointment) for this because it has two uses. It can be used as an ointment for cuts, burns, and insect bites/stings when applied externally; it also acts as a heating pad for muscle aches when applied to the chest or abdomen.

3. Painkillers

Be sure to pack painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, and aspirin. These will help relieve aches and pains from sore muscles or headaches. Make sure you pack enough for your whole trip, as well as any travel days in between. If you have the space, it might be worth packing an extra few days of medication just in case you need it. Don’t forget that if you’re travelling with medication, there are some additional things to consider when travelling abroad. For example, many medicines are not available without a prescription in Europe. If the closest pharmacy does not stock what you need, then they may order for you, but this could take up to two weeks. Also, add an anti-diarrhoea treatment (e.g., Imodium) and antibiotics, just in case.

Summary

While travelling, you may encounter pathogens and illnesses that your body is not accustomed to fighting off. It is best to assemble your own travel medicine kit for protection. Understand the restrictions on what medications you can and cannot bring into the country at your destination. Remember, some medicines that need refrigeration might not work after you’ve travelled a long distance with them. Prescriptions or over-the-counter medications for travel, such as antimalarials, antibiotics, and anti-epileptic drugs, might be required. We hope our list will assist you in putting together the ideal DIY travel medicine kit so you can stay healthy and content while travelling.