There is nothing worse than finding yourself in a foreign country and in need of medicine, only to realize you can’t find it. Or perhaps the problem is that you can’t even explain to the pharmacists what you need due to language barrier. And should you be able to communicate what the problem is and what you need, it can be rather frustrating to realize the treatment options are not what you want, are taken differently, or require a prescription. Below is a list of medications that I believe are essential when packing for a trip, almost all being over-the-counter (OTC) in North America.

Please note, these are generalized suggestions, not meant to interfere with or replace any prescription medications you may have. The recommendations below are suggested for packing along with your prescription medicine, not in lieu of. Further, in regards to prescription medication, it is always best to bring a few days extra with you. You never know if flights will be cancelled or delayed, so it’s always better to have extra of these rather than an exact amount. Also, while you should always carry your prescription medications on you (whether in a purse, backpack, or carry-on bag), it’s a good idea to pack the extras in your suitcase or an alternative bag. Should your main supply be stolen or pick-pocketed, by having a few extra dosages stored elsewhere, you’ve bought yourself some time to sort out what to do next. This also goes for contact lenses or glasses  for anyone with a very severe prescription that is both costly and hard to replace.

1. Advil

Whether you prefer Advil or Tylenol, it doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that you carry some pain management medicine with you when travelling abroad, especially if you do prefer Advil. Between jet-lag, all the walking, potential hangovers, bad weather migraines, and just general bad luck, the odds of you needing some pain meds are quite likely. You never want to be without this – a medication I recommend carrying on your person throughout the day. And as Advil is less commonly found outside of North America, its better to pack your favourite pain relief rather than rely on what’s on hand.

 

2. Cold Medicine

(i.e. Advil Cold & Sinus, DayGuil/NyQuil, Sudafed)

It would really suck to catch a cold while travelling but sadly it does happen. Should you be mid-trip, or even about to board a long-haul flight home, you do not want to be plugged up and hacking away. Especially after Covid-19 – everyone will be staring and running like you’re the plague itself. So do yourself a favour and pack your favourite cold medication with you. Something that will help you sleep through the night by drying up your nose and suppressing that cough, with extra-strength cold meds to get you through the day without ruining your trip. Personally, I always carry Advil Cold & Sinus, DayQuil AND Nyquil with me – just a few sheets or pills of each, enough that I can manage through the worst of it.

 

3. Anti-Nausea Medication (i.e. Gravol, Dramamine)

You may not think you need an anti-nausea medication if not travelling on a boat or if you’re not prone to motion sickness, however, these little pills come in handy for so much more than that. First and foremost, should you be struggling with jetlag or just sleeping through the night, the drowsy side effect of these pills will lull you into a restful sleep. And should you get a little sick or nauseous from badly cooked food or too much alcohol, these will help you feel better and help keep you from throwing up. You don’t need the whole box, but it’s always good to carry a packet, sheet, or handful of these pills. For the Canadians out there, Gravol is a great option, with Dramamine being the American equivalent. Please note, if you are going for a while or planning to drink an obscene amount throughout your trip, perhaps pack a little extra of these pills.

 

4. Allergy Medication/Antihistamines

Whatever your antihistamine or allergy medication of choice is, pack it without a doubt and keep it on you every day. You never know when you might have an unexpected allergic reaction to some new dish or spice, or find that some ingredient is surprisingly thrown into the cooking. Personally, I have a sesame allergy and was shocked when I broke out in hives after dining at a Spanish restaurant in Dublin. Turns out they had cooked my shrimp in sesame oil, something that is very uncommon for Spanish cuisine. But because I had Benadryl on me, I was able to salvage the evening and within a couple hours my hives were good and I was able to put the itch behind me. Also, you may unfortunately get bitten by a bug on vacation or get a very very bad sunburn. If either should happen, antihistamines will come in handy.

I recommend packing both drowsy and non-drowsy for this medicine, as the drowsy tends to be more affective and also can aid as a sleeping agent if you’re struggling to get some shut-eye while away.

 

5. Topical Steroids (i.e. Cortisone cream)

If you’re able to get your hands on a tube of 1% cortisone cream, grab some and pack it for your trip. If not, even a 0.5% tube will be beneficial to you. Unfortunately, bed bugs are not impossible to get while travelling, nor are mosquito bites, spider bites, or any other bug bite really. Perhaps a bug you’re not even aware of. These can be extremely itchy and put a damper on your trip. Rather than worrying about what OTC treatments you can find while abroad, pack some cortisone/steroid cream with you so that should you need it, you know you have your bases covered. Honestly, it helps more than you can imagine after being bitten by a bed bug.

It also soothes burns and eczema, so it’s always something worth having on hand.

 

6. Imodium

Of course one hopes they don’t get a case of the runs while abroad but sadly it does happen. Perhaps something you ate just didn’t agree with you, or perhaps you got a case of food poisoning. Either way, it’s unpleasant and you really don’t want to have to be running to the bathroom every five seconds as you’re touring a new city. So put your stomach and mind at ease and pack some Imodium. Trust me, it’s better to pack it then having to use a dirty bathroom on the train between Vienna and Budapest … I should know, as I unfortunately had this happen to me.

 

7. Tums, Pepto, or GasX

Similar to above, packing some Tums or GasX is always a good idea, whether you have a weaker stomach or not. Introducing new foods and spices to your diet and never preparing your own meals or cooking for yourself can really take a toll on your stomach, not to mention that you’re likely to consume far more than normal while on vacation. Ease your stomach when it’s upset, bloated to the point of discomfort, or extra gassy, with some Tums, Pepto, or GasX.

 

8. Heartburn Medication/Antacids

If you’ve never had heartburn or acid reflux/GERD before, the likelihood of you getting it while abroad isn’t high. That said, should it happen, it’s a horrible feeling that can really spoil the day and end an evening early. Rather than running to the nearest pharmacy and trying to find something to ease the pain, why not throw a couple pills into your suitcase. It takes up hardly any space and will make a world of difference should you actually need it. Trust me, it’s worth it.

I once had to waddle back at the end of the day, pants undone and hunched over, because my acid reflux was so bad. All the pharmacies near me were closed and I had nothing in my suitcase to alleviate the pain. By midnight, I was sitting up against a wall in bed, moaning, as I nibbled on a banana to ease the pain. So learn from my mistakes and throw a pill or two in your bag.

 

9. Canesten or other medications for yeast infections

For the females out there, this is another instance where you can learn from my misery. Whether or not you’re prone to yeast infections, if you should get one on vacation, it can really put a damper on the trip. There’s nothing like trying to walk around a new city all day while you’re desperate to scratch down there, each step making it more and more uncomfortable. So rather than going to a pharmacy in a foreign country where they don’t speak English, and relying on the pharmacists there to understand what “Vagine! Vagine!” means – pack yourself some medication to treat a yeast infection. In Canada, you can buy over-the-counter (OTC) pills to treat a yeast infection, so simply go down the aisles and pick a package up for yourself. If you’re in America or another country where you may need to see a doctor or a pharmacist for an oral treatment, just explain that you’re travelling abroad and want to be prepared. Most doctors and pharmacists are happy to accommodate. And should they not be, simply explain to them the headache you’ll have if they don’t help.

From personal experience, I got my first yeast infection ever while in Lyon, France. Finding a direct translation for this health issue was rather difficult and resulted in my friend and I yelling “Vagine!” at the pharmacist and pointing at my crotch. When that got us nowhere, we looked up the active medical ingredients in medication at home (like Canesten) and showed them to the pharmacist. Though that did help explain what was wrong and proved to be a good solution, I was disgruntled to learn that the treatment there was not a pill I could swallow, but a more old-fashioned remedy that was a lot less pleasant. Needless to say, save yourself the embarrassment and pain, and get yourself some easy to swallow medication for this little predicament.

 

10. Gentle Laxatives, such as Restorolax/Miralax

It’s rather common to get a little backed up while travelling, so don’t panic if you’re not going to the bathroom daily. For some, it can be days before they’re able to go, and in some tragic cases, people experience constipation their whole trip. Whatever the reason, whatever the length of time, constipation can be quite uncomfortable and take its toll on your mood. So should you find yourself a few days in without going to the bathroom, it can be good to take something gentle that will help alleviate the problem. Restorolax/Miralax (the name changes depending on country) is a dissolvable powder that you can throw into almost any beverage (alcohol being the exception), that will slowly and painlessly work its way through you to help ease your constipation. Bring enough for a few days’ worth, and take it daily until you’re stomach has relieved itself (or until you run out). Personally, I like the individual pre-portioned packets as they are easy to pack and stops me from having to scoop out multiple doses into a Ziploc bag. 

If you’re unable to find this specific medication, ask your local pharmacist about some easy and painless laxatives you can bring with you. You might not think this is a problem you’ll have to deal with, but better safe than sorry. I mean, just think of all the cheese one might consume in France – that is constipation waiting to happen.

 

BONUS RECOMMENDATION: Plan B.

While a controversial recommendation, and definitely not for everyone, I felt it would be remiss to not mention this pill. For any females looking to explore new countries and new men (no judgement!), it pays to be cautious. While I’d hope you practice safe sex, sometimes you get caught up in the heat of the moment. Or sadly, sometimes you’ll find that you’ll go home with someone who doesn’t respect your wishes and takes off the condom during sex (if they even put one one). Whatever the reason, I believe it pays to be safe. So should you find that you had unprotected sex and are nervous about it, having Plan B on hand can be a huge relief. Different countries have different beliefs and policies regarding this option and you may find it hard to obtain while away. So if you’re able to get this treatment in advance, it’ll make you feel a lot safer. Again, I don’t advocate for unprotected sex (nor do I judge), but I believe it never hurts to be prepared. In my opinion, if you think there is even a remote chance you might need this when packing for your trip, get it. Better to have it on hand and not need it then to be desperately trying to find it and be unable to.