Finding a good clinic or doctor while abroad is not always easy and it is also very expensive. Lastly, medication brands that are well known to us in Europe, might not exist in Asia or the Americas – so you will have to make do with what is on offer locally. So be a clever traveler, and keep on reading for a quick and easy list for a medication travel bag.

Traveling safely has never been more important than now with the covid-19!! So be safe, be organised and stay healthy!

This article is written in April 2020, in the midst of the pandemic outbreak that is showing its devastating effects on us all. Under NO circumstances am I encouraging anyone to travel right now. This article, like ALL the articles on my website, is there to provide travel inspiration and valuable advice and should be used for future trips. Feeding our wanderlust online, is healthy and recommended, as long as we remember this:  This too shall pass, and we shall travel again...but for now, #stayhome, stay safe, and read up on articles than you can use when the world is healed again. Love, Tia x 

Personal experience with getting sick on holiday

In China

My first solo trip outside of Europe was in China. I developed a crazy skin rash (it must have been the dry heat and polluted air) but I was not prepared. Stupidly, I didn’t have antihistamines packed, or my Calamine lotion that instantly soothes my skin! I had to suffer for two days before I could find someone to understand what I was trying to explain and give me the correct treatment. Managed to buy antihistamines which of course were the drowsy kind! I spend the remainder of my holiday having to choose between itching like I had fleas or walking around like a zombie. Not my finest moment, I’ll agree! Lesson learned though!

In Thailand

A few years later, on a one-month journey through Thailand, I got food poisoning, a horrible IBS stomach attack and crashed my scooter into the Thai jungle. Guess who had packed all the essentials in her medication travel bag? THAT’S RIGHT, ME!

My boyfriend at the time (silly little man, honestly) made fun of my ”med kit” for days until he had a stomach bug and had to beg to use my meds for relief. I call that success! LOL.

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here

Medication Travel Bag Step One – Evaluate and pack according to your trip

What you will pack will depend on your destination.

For example, if you are traveling to NYC or spending Christmas In London, chances are you will need a smaller medication travel bag. This is because city holidays are safer, and large cities like those, have far more accessible pharmacies and doctors.

But if you are exploring the jungles of Costa Rica, the Caribbean coasts of Belize or the Asian Wonders of Thailand? Well, that’s a whole different ball game! Such exotic destinations require you to have a mini pharmacy on you, at all times.

If you are interested in finding out some of the exotic diseases and vaccinations you might need, then look no further!

Flu and other essentials

Cold and flu medication – I am personally obsessed with Nurofen Cold and Flu – its the only type of cold and flu medication that doesn’t make me sleepy! Pack your favorite:)

Regular Ibuprofen for pain – Traveling can be tiring, and we are all prone to accidents. A persisting headache, a hangover or a bad fall of a scooter can really ruin your holiday if you don’t have the correct tools for pain soothing!

Fever medication – To ease the dreaded fever!

Immodium or other diarrhea medication– For destinations with suspicious food and water. These can be a real lifesaver, for all the obvious reasons!

Birth Control: Whether condoms, pills or both, you should always be prepared and keep your times regular.

Vitamins: A good multivitamin can be your best friend, especially with the time difference and diet change that holidays always ensure!

Medication travel bag – Jet Lag and travel sickness

Jet lag. There is nothing worse than jet lag. In fact, I hate it so much, that I wrote an entire article on how to avoid getting Jet lag! Hundreds of flights later, I have fine-tuned my tips and no longer get it, but these tablets are so helpful if you do!

Stomach bugs and food poisoning

Activated charcoal. If you pack ONE THING in your medicine travel bag, make sure this is it. Activated charcoal is my absolute holy grail when I travel – I refuse to go without it. Suffering from IBS? Food poisoning? Hangover? Bloated stomach? Diarrhea? Activated charcoal is the answer to ALL these problems!! Activated charcoal soaks up gas generating toxins thanks to its unique chemical structure and its suitable for vegans and vegetarians!

Probiotics: If you’re in a country that can do a number on your stomach (Asia especially) consider a probiotic. They don’t call it the Delhi belly for nothing guys! It will help protect your stomach, against internal and external factors too – like antibiotics.

Electrolytes for Dehydration –  Again, essential in places where you might have stomach issues. Vomiting and dehydration can make you extremely ill, and these provide some much-needed hydration back into your body!

Medication travel bag – Mosquito Bites and Cuts

Mosquito Cream or Spray – and the stronger, the better! Mosquitos will either eat you alive or pass you by- if you are part of the latter group then I envy you (and hate you a little bit too). I am forever attacked viciously by mosquitos, which swell up and itch like you wouldn’t even believe!

Anti- Itch Cream – For mosquito bites and small skin reactions. If heading to a mosquito prone destination, this is essential. Choose your favorite, Calamine lotion works quite well for me!

Antihistamine tablets for all types of allergic reactions – including mosquito bites that become swollen and itchy. Make sure you choose some that don’t make you drowsy (I react well to Claritin)

Band-aids: For blisters, shaving cuts and other random small issues that might be in need of a quick fix.

Antibacterial Gel: Essential in ANY travel bag. Disinfect your hands well and frequently – especially before you eat. You can also use the gel for minor cuts and abrasions!

Wound Cleaning: Alcohol or iodine swabs, gauze and medical tape. This is only essential if you are planning on taking off the beaten path routes away from modern civilization.

Female only medications

Yeast Infection Treatment: Go for a tablet instead of cream as it will be easier to carry. Your partner can also take the same pill so that’s killing two birds with one stone! (pun totally intended)

Urinary tract infection treatment: Specially designed to provide effective relief from the stinging and burning of cystitis.

Pack it all in

Tips to make your medication travel bag smaller

With the amount of money airlines are charging us to simply check in a bag, we all want to travel lighter, so we can travel cheaper too. This is why mastering the art of traveling with a carry-on is essential! Below, find some easy tips to make your medication travel bag smaller and lighter 🙂

• Choose a tablet over a gel or cream
• Take all pills out of their box and carry a tablet of each. You won’t need the entire contents of the box anyway 🙂
• Sachets take up less space than bottles!
• Pharmacies often have travel-sized cream equivalents – ask for them!

Like this post? Then pin it for later!

I hope you guys have enjoyed this short and sweet guide to a medication travel bag! My friends often make fun of me for being an organization freak but they have often had to use my medication while abroad so I win this argument! And out of my personal experience, there really is nothing worse than getting sick on holiday and not having the meds to feel better!

Do you agree? Have you ever said ”thank god i packed this” while on holiday? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe!

Love, Tia x

The post Medication Travel Bag – An easy list to keep travelers healthy appeared first on Tia Does Travel.