Pack Your Own Medicine

The title is pretty self-explanatory. Make sure you have all the medicines you need before going on a trip. I’m not just talking about your prescription medication—that is a given. I’m more so talking about the medicines you may not use daily, but when you need them, you’re thankful you have easy access to them.

For instance, I have a particularly sensitive stomach. Not sure where it stems from, but I know there is a 50/50 chance my stomach may play me after I eat something out of “the usual.” So, one thing I make sure I always pack is Pepto Bismol. I’ve had too many instances (and so have my friends) while on trips, to know I do not leave my state or country, without it. Shoot, I even keep a bottle at my office desk for good measure.

If you know you have a sensitive stomach, or even if you don’t, I recommend packing some sort of stomach-settling medicine while you travel. A lot of the time, there is a language barrier when visiting counties outside the U.S., and you may think a certain ingredient isn’t included in your meal and it turns out it was sprinkled throughout. Certain spices, meats, veggies, etc. may not agree with you while you’re abroad. Also, there are certain foods you need to avoid all together—especially in places where you’re advised against drinking the local/tap water. But that’s another post for another day.

I also make sure I keep Aleve, or any other headache-reducing medications with me. Not because I’m particularly prone to headaches or migraines, but because of the dehydration that follows after a night on the town, if you catch my drift. And if you do not want to waste one vacation day laying in bed with a headache, then you should consider packing a bottle of aspirin with you. Please note, a lot of countries have pharmacies where you do not need prescriptions to obtain medication, but I do not recommend that being your go to---more so a last resort.

Other medicines that you do not think about but may need include cold/flu and over-the-counter allergy (if you have an allergy prescription—clearly bring that) medicines. Honestly, flying in planes, being exposed to all “the elements” and differences in weather, can bring on the common cold. Making sure you have cold medicine is a great idea while abroad. Similarly, you may think you have no allergies, then all of sudden you’re breaking out in hives while trekking up a mountain. You may want ready-access to some Benadryl.

As always, these are just a few examples of medicines I deem important to pack on a trip. Take assessment of yourselves and think about what you may or may not need before the next time you get on a plane.

Happy Traveling Travelsetters!