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First aid kit for travel: What you need to know and a list of medicines.

First aid kit for travel: What you need to know and a list of medicinesWhen preparing for a trip, especially to Europe, it’s important to pack the right first aid kit, considering that some medications may require prescriptions abroad. This article provides tips on what to include in your travel kit and information about the availability of equivalents and prescription requirements in Europe.

What to include in a travel first aid kit:

Pain relievers and antipyretics:

  • Paracetamol (Panadol, Efferalgan): For fever reduction and relief of headaches, toothaches, and muscle pain.
  • Ibuprofen (Nurofen, Ibufen): Anti-inflammatory, reduces fever, and alleviates pain.

Antihistamines:

  • Loratadine (Loratadine-Darnitsa): Treats allergies such as rashes, itching, and sneezing.
  • Cetirizine (Cetrin, Zodac): Relieves symptoms of allergies, including hives and rhinitis.

Cold and cough remedies:

  • Ambroxol (Lasolvan): Expectorant for productive coughs.
  • Faringosept: Lozenges for sore throats.
  • Throat spray (Ingalipt): Treats throat inflammation and infections.

Digestive aids:

  • Mezym: Enzyme supplement for digestion.
  • Creon: For pancreatic insufficiency.
  • Betargin: Supports liver function and metabolism but is scarce in Europe.

Gastrointestinal medications:

  • Loperamide (Imodium): For diarrhea.
  • Smecta: Sorbent for stomach upsets.
  • Atoxil and Enterosgel: Sorbents for poisoning and detox; rarely found in Europe with limited alternatives.

Antiseptics and wound care products:

  • Hydrogen peroxide: For wound and cut disinfection.
  • Chlorhexidine: For antiseptic cleaning.
  • Zelenka or iodine: For small cuts and scratches.

Nasal drops:

  • Xylometazoline (Galazolin): Decongestant for colds.
  • Saline solution (Aquamaris): For moisturizing and cleaning nasal passages.

Anti-nausea medications:

  • Metoclopramide (Cerucal): Prevents and treats nausea and vomiting.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics:

  • Zinnat (Cefuroxime): For bacterial infections.
  • Augmentin (Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid): Treats various infections in adults and children.

For sunburns and insect bites:

  • Panthenol spray: Heals sunburns and promotes skin recovery.
  • Fenistil gel: Relieves itching and irritation from insect bites.
  • Insect repellent spray: Prevents bites and alleviates itching afterward.

Anti-inflammatory eye drops:

  • Tobradex: Treats eye inflammation (doctor-prescribed).
  • Nimesulide (Nimesil): Anti-inflammatory for pain relief.

Miscellaneous:

  • Thermometer.

Important notes for packing a travel first aid kit:

  1. Bring prescriptions for all prescription drugs, especially when crossing borders.
  2. Storage conditions: Ensure medicines are stored properly, as some require specific temperatures.
  3. Check expiration dates: Expired medicines can be unsafe.

Prescription and non-prescription drugs in Europe

Drugs requiring a prescription:

  • Nimesulide (Nimesil): Prescription-only in Germany and other EU countries due to potential side effects.
  • Antibiotics, hormonal medications, asthma treatments, insulin, statins, and injectable drugs.

Over-the-counter medications:

  • Low-dose ibuprofen and paracetamol, nasal drops with xylometazoline, and most homeopathic remedies.

Rare medications:

  • Betargin, Atoxil, and Enterosgel are scarce in Europe, with limited or no alternatives.

While a personal first aid kit caters to individual needs, a car first aid kit must comply with local laws and has a different composition.