Surprises are part of what makes travel so great... but when it comes to your health, it's best to be prepared! Here are a few of the medications and other essential items you should have in your travel health kit.
Better safe than sorry!
Whatever the destination or purpose of your trip, it's always a good idea to have a well-stocked travel-health kit on hand. After all, you never really know what health problems might arise during your adventure! So it's best to plan for everything... or almost everything.
The medication and other health essentials you take should be adapted to your destination, as well as to the conditions you’ll encounter when you get there. Remember: certain medications and first-aid supplies you might need aren’t always available in other countries, or they may be different from the ones you’re used to in Canada.
Items to include in your travel kit…
You can’t always anticipate the difficulties and health problems that could arise during a trip. That's why it’s best to plan ahead by making a complete list of all the medications and first-aid items you'll need. And the best person to help you prepare that list is your pharmacist!
Travelling with kids?
emember to ask your pharmacist for help in choosing the right products for your kids, and to determine the medication dosage.
Essential medication to put on your travel list…
Here are several over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications that may be helpful:
- Antihistamines for allergic reactions or insect bites;
- Antacids for stomach aches or digestive troubles;
- Anti-nausea products for motion sickness;
- Anti-diarrhea products for traveller's diarrhea (turista);
- Acetaminophen for fever or pain.
Do you take prescription medication regularly? Make sure you carry them with you in their original packaging and keep all the relevant information close at hand (name, brand, dosage, pharmacist's contact information, etc.).
Precautions to keep in mind
Before you leave on your trip, learn about the current regulations governing the transportation of medication within the country(ies) you’ll be visiting. Avoid buying prescription drugs outside Canada, unless advised otherwise by your healthcare professional. And remember to bring more medication than you need in case your trip is unexpectedly extended, or you lose some.
Other essential items to take with you...
Make sure your travel health kit contains the following items:
- Antibacterial hand sanitizer (alcohol);
- Minor wound-care items like antiseptic wound cleanser, antibiotic ointment or cream, bandages of various sizes, tape, gauze, etc.;
- Disposable latex gloves;
- Cortisone cream or ointment for skin irritations or rashes;
- Scissors;
- A thermometer;
- Compression bandages;
- Tweezers (for removing splinters, etc.);
- Solar protection;
- After-sun care or sunburn relief;
- Rehydration solutions (preferably in powder form);
- Water purification tablets;
- Condoms;
- Your vaccination record;
- Your health-insurance card;
- Personal information (last name, first name, address, medical history, etc.);
- Contact information for the Canadian Embassy in case of problems;
- All your travel insurance information (including emergency telephone numbers).
Another good idea to keep in mind
It’s always a good idea to up to date on your first-aid training before you go!
Is your vaccination booklet up to date?
Certain vaccinations could be essential or even mandatory to help prevent health problems while you’re travelling. Make sure your vaccination record is up to date and covers the following diseases/infections:
- Hepatitis A and B;
- Yellow fever;
- Tetanus;
- COVID-19;
- Typhoid;
- Japanese encephalitis;
- Meningitis;
- Diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (DTP);
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR);
- Rabies.
Of course, the type of vaccination to receive for your travel will vary depending on your destination. Learn more by speaking to your pharmacist.
Travel with peace of mind thanks to sound advice from your pharmacist.
Make the most of the pharmaceutical advice and other travel-related services offered to help protect your health and safety during your next trip. Whether it's for an epic adventure or a quick getaway, your pharmacist is on hand to help you enjoy your travels safely!
In addition to dispensing sound advice, your pharmacist can also prescribe certain types of medication to prevent altitude sickness or malaria, and to treat traveller's diarrhea. Feel free to speak to your pharmacist for all the health information and prescription medication you’ll need for your trip.
Health form to complete
Fill out this form to save time and give your pharmacist complete information during your travel-health consultation.
We wish you safe travels and a vacation filled with great memories... and free of health concerns!
