Backpacking Checklist – Medicine

Imagine finding out that your stomach thinks that you should not have had that ice cream just before your bus departs for a 18 hour ride. Having the right medicine with you can literally be a life saver. Always double check with medical authorities what you need to bring on your trip. The below list has a few suggested items which may come in handy, use it as inspiration and create your own.

If you have medicine from past trips you plan to bring along check the expiry date.

Immunizations

Make sure you get the immunizations you need in time for your departure.

Surgical tape

Compress/sterile wraps

Tweezers

Antiseptic

Bandage

Aspirin

Fungus treatment

It can be easy to get fungal infections in warm and humid climate

Nose spray (against colds)

Cough medicine

Diarrhoea medicine

Heartburn medicine

Constipation medicine

Rehydration salts

If you lose a lot of liquid they can help you avoid dehydration.

Mosquito repellent

Lice treatment

Malaria medication

If you need this check which type you need. There are different types, some with side effects. You may have to start taking the malaria medication in advance.

Antibiotics

Check with your physician if it is advisable.

Vitamin and mineral tablets

Useful if you have a one-sided diet.

Sunburn lotion

Treatment if you get burned from staying in the sun for too long.

Clinical thermometer

To measure fever/temperature.

Prescription medicine in original packaging

If you have prescription medicine, put it in the original packaging. Check if it is legal in your destination.

Prescriptions

For your medicine.

Sterile syringe

If you are worried that the syringes available locally are not clean.

First aid kit

Fill it up with some of the suggested medicine.

Band aid

Get some different sizes for different wounds.

Blister moleskin

Moleskins are a special type of band aid. It consists of artificial skin that you can cut to shape and then apply on top of your blister.

Eye drops

If your eyes get dry

Condom/lubrification/birth control pills etc

Well, you never know when you might get lucky 😉

Sore Throat Lozenges

For treatment of sore throat.

Motion sickness pills

Check with your pharmacy how much time in advance you need to take the pills for the effect to kick in.

Lotion for insect bites

Happy travels!