Ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) are NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Choose one or the other, but I like naproxen because it lasts 12 hours. NSAIDs inhibit blood clotting and shouldn’t be used in the presence of bleeding or use of other blood thinners. They irritate the stomach, so avoid them if you’ve got ulcers.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or paracetamol (known as Mapap in some countries) is one of the safest pain medications and does not affect blood clotting. Avoid when disorders of the liver are present.
If needed, you can take an NSAID plus acetaminophen because they work differently. You don’t have to alternate them.
Gastrointestinal
Meclizine (Bonine) or dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) can treat nausea, motion sickness, vertigo, and vomiting. Choose one, but remember they are both very sedating and shouldn’t be taken when operating a motor vehicle. Nausea and vomiting are the most frequent causes of seeking medical attention when traveling. But Doctor, I’m vomiting and can’t keep anything down. It’s your lucky day. Dimenhydrinate can go in the rear with the gear, available as Gravol, a “comfort-shaped” suppository. Bottoms up!
Loperamide (Imodium A-D) treats diarrhea by slowing down gut motility and increasing anal sphincter tone, helping you get to the wadi before you potty.
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) soothes the stomach’s lining to treat heartburn, slows intestinal secretions to decrease diarrhea, and binds some bacterial toxins involved in traveler’s diarrhea. Bismuth can turn your stool black, but so can a bleeding stomach ulcer. If the black stool lasts more than a day, see a doctor.
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) powder stimulates secretions into the colon, softening hard stool and expeditiously treating constipation. Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) and psyllium husk powder (Metamucil) are kinder, gentler options, but I’m a man of action. Go loaded for bear: choose Miralax.
Skin
Dress superficial wounds with bacitracin, neomycin, or polymyxin (available together as Neosporin ointment) to help prevent infection in wounds treated in the field. Don’t forget, the solution to pollution is dilution. Irrigating wounds with drinkable water is more important than slathering them with antibacterial ointment.
Hydrocortisone cream (Cortizone 10, Aveeno) treats itching associated with allergies, eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, and poison ivy.
Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) antifungal ointment treats jock itch, athlete’s foot, and some vaginal infections.
Ocular
Contact lens saline or any drinkable water can be used to flush foreign bodies and contaminants from the eyes.
Ketotifen (Alaway and Zatidor) is an antihistamine used in allergy eye drops to relieve itchy eyes.
Visine is a brand-name eye drop that comes in several formulations, usually including some combination of pheniramine (an antihistamine for itching), naphazoline (causes blood vessel constriction to reduce eye redness), and polyethylene glycol (a lubricant).
Allergy
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) should be in every medical kit. It treats anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergy), seasonal, and environmental allergies. It also causes drowsiness and is marketed as the sleeping aid called Unisom. The same allergy symptoms can be treated with loratadine (Claratin) or cetirizine (Zyrtec), which are less sedating and safer for drivers.
Cough/cold
Oxymetazoline (Afrin, Zicam, Dristan) or phenylephrine (Neo-synephrine) nasal sprays can relieve congestion. Choose one but beware that repetitive use can cause worsening congestion. They can also help stop a bloody nose when squirted inside and the nose is then pinched because both medications promote blood vessel constriction.
Cough and cold medications come in countless formulations. I carry Dayquil and Nyquil tablets.
Aspirin
Aspirin (Bayer Aspirin) makes the blood’s platelets less sticky, and three 81-milligram “baby aspirin” tablets should be chewed by anyone suspected of having a heart attack (unless they’re allergic to aspirin) while you call 911 or arrange for immediate evacuation.
