When there's a Walgreens or CVS on every other corner, there's no need to worry about finding familiar over-the-counter meds to help remedy an illness. But overseas travel to more remote countries can make finding a bottle of Tylenol as challenging as running a 4-minute mile. According to Robert Edelman, MD, director of the travelers' health clinic at the University of Maryland medical center, the savvy athletic-minded traveler headed abroad will pack the following five pills as an emergency supply:
1. A non-drowsy antihistamine (e.g., Clairtin) - for unexpected allergic reactions
3. Dramamine (for boating, motion sickness, etc.)
4. Imodium A-D (diarrhea, etc.) - food poisoning strikes 30% of all travelers
5. Ciprofloxacin (not OTC) - your doctor must write a prescription to obtain this one, but it will help the 30% of food poisoned shorten their sickness by 1-3 days
Great info Jim. I have another one to add: My sister--who has spent extended time in places like Ghana and India--always takes probiotics while she is traveling.