Travel medicine chest suggestions

Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure, a Travel Sized Home Medicine Chest is a good idea. It can be difficult to buy some products that are available in the UK abroad. Most over-the-counter medications are available in smaller sized packs or travel packs. For safety reasons, don't remove medicines from their original packaging (for example to put some into a smaller bottle), especially if you are travelling with children. Unmarked medicines may also cause problems at customs if you are travelling abroad.

The following are suggested OTC medications that you might want to consider keeping handy. These fall into three categories, medications for minor conditions that most of us experience at some time; problems that certain people experience from time to time; and relief from problems likely to be experienced by travellers.

OTC medications for minor conditions experienced by most people at some time

• Oral pain relief
  e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol, or any combination product which may contain any of the above and an opioid analagesic e.g. codeine or dihydrocodeine. Available in tablet, capsule and effervescent tablet form, all are suitable for a wide range of aches and pains including migraine, period pain and toothache. They also have a fever reducing (anti-pyretic) effect.
• Topical/muscular pain relief
  Available as creams, ointments, sprays, mousses and gels, for sporting injuries, sprains and muscular pains.
• Cough preparations
  Available as a liquid or lozenges to stop a cough (suppressants) or loosen it (expectorants).
• Sore throat medicine
  Pastilles, lozenges, sprays or gargles which may contain a local anaesthetic or antiseptic.
• Other cold relief products
  Decongestants for blocked noses and are available as sprays, drops, capsules or tablets. Combination remedies containing pain relievers and decongestants are available in various formulations.
• Antiseptics
  Creams, solutions and ointments are available for treating minor cuts, grazes and burns.

If you have experienced any of the conditions mentioned below you may want consider keeping a small supply of an appropriate self-medication treatment at home.

• Indigestion remedies
  Tablets, capsules, powders and suspensions are available. There are antacids which neutralise excess acid, alginates which prevent acid reaching the oesophagus/windpipe or acid suppressants (H2 antagonists).
• Hayfever/allergy relief
  Antihistamines are available as tablets and nasal sprays containing corticosteroids, suitable for relief of hayfever and other allergies. Antihistamines or hydrocortisone may be needed for skin allergies such as hives or insect bites. Eye drops are also available containing either sodium cromoglycate or xylometazoline for itchy, sore eyes caused by allergies.
• Anti diarrhoeal preparations
  Capsules containing loperamide on its own or in combination with other products, such as oral rehydration solutions, can provide relief or replace lost fluid and minerals.
• OTC medications specific to travellers Smoking cessation products
  Available as patches, gum, tablets and inhalators. Remember you cannot smoke on most planes.
• Travel sickness pills
  Available in tablet form. Most should be taken before the journey starts.
• Anti-malarials
  Available as syrups or tablets to prevent infection, should be taken well in advance of travelling. For further advice consult your pharmacist.
• Sunscreen
  The higher the factor, the greater level of protection. A SPF of 15+ is recommended.
• Insect bite preparations
  Available as creams, sprays and ointments containing antiseptics and anaesthetics to prevent infection and relieve pain or hydrocortisone and anthistamines to reduce swelling. An insect repellent is advisable.

CHIC is an educational service provided by PAGB (the Proprietary Association of Great Britain)