Going to India-- what meds to take?

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My husband and I and our 2 kids are going to India for a month this summer! Dh and I have been before but it's been years (he's from India). I'm going to be packing our prescription meds for asthma/allergies, that's a given. I'm just wondering what OTC meds you would take if it was your family going. I am afraid I will forget something. What prescription meds would you ask your doctor for to use just in case? Antibiotics? Anti-nausea suppositories? Other?

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Definitely Pepto! I'd take a wide array of OTC stomach remedies as that's what is most likely to get you out of commission. I would ask for a broad spectrum AB for each family member, but none of my family docs would do it, I'm sure.

I'd also take a variety of pain relievers - ibuprofen, acetaminophen and I'd also take Tylenol PM just to help get over jet lag and to help sleep when it was elusive.

Aside from that, I'd take what I needed for my kiddos - the stuff that I give them here when they have a virus that I know works for their various ailments.

Have fun!

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

I would call my Dr. if I were you. We usually give our traveling patients Cipro (if not allergic) and Immodium to take with them. And if warranted, Malarone and the oral Typhoid. Also make sure everyone is up-to-date on all needed vaccinations, including Hepatitis A.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.
I would call my Dr. if I were you. We usually give our traveling patients Cipro (if not allergic) and Immodium to take with them. And if warranted Malarone and the oral Typhoid. Also make sure everyone is up-to-date on all needed vaccinations, including Hepatitis A.[/quote']I recommend Cipro, Immodium/Lomotil as well. Asprin for aches and if someone has breathing/airway issues your inhaler is a must.

Malaria isn't as bad as it used to be on the sub-continent - but it can't hurt to be safe.

PM me if you wish with your "places I'll be stopping at" and I can give some more general tips.

Have a safe trip! :)

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Specializes in ICU-Stepdown.

If I may, I'd also recommend you take some decongestant with you as well (unless none of you suffers from any kind of seasonal allergies -I have bad sinuses so always have a nose spray -not Afrin- and Allegra D on hand) -after all, a sinus headache brought on by congested sinuses is just no way to enjoy a trip.

Do agree with the stomach remedies as well (though I've never had such issues when I've traveled, others in our party have and man did they look miserable! )

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Aside from that, I'd take what I needed for my kiddos - the stuff that I give them here when they have a virus that I know works for their various ailments.

Just curious...what does work for a virus? I need to add it to my medicine cabinet!

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Specializes in Too many to list.

Not a med, but what about mosquito netting, and repellents or will you have that available there? There are other mosquito acquired diseases besides malaria in India, i.e. dengue fever is just one, and chikungunya as well. I am not sure if these are just a problem at lower elevations or not. I do not know the current situation there.

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Specializes in Too many to list.

One more thing, some of these mosquitoes are active in the daytime so

the netting is not going to help. You will have to rely on long sleeved

clothing, and repellants. Have you checked to see if these diseases are currently present in your travel destination? Some are found even in urban areas, so do check.

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Specializes in Occupational Medicine, Orthopedics.

Just additional info: The doctor I work for just recently suggested checking into rabies vaccinations done prophylactically for a patient who is moving to India. I guess rabies is an issue in India.

Blue

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Specializes in NICU.

These are some suggestions from an Indian friend who just took her husband for the first time.

Drink only bottled water, even when you just rinse after brushing your teeth. Don't eat any meat products, and no fresh (uncooked) fruits or veggies.

Definitely take a DEET bug spray. Her sister contracted Dengue Fever on one visit, and was very ill.

Saline nose spray is useful on long trips, and especially with kids, I'd take bandaids and antibiotic cream or ointment, and maybe some alcohol wipes. A little Benadryl might be a good med to take as well. Useful for all kinds of problems.

As long as you take stuff, you won't need it. It's the little things you forget that can be a problem. I left my hairbrush at home, on one trip back to the UK. You can't find anything like that in the airport, and we had to make a special trip into Inverness the day after we got to Scotland to find one that I liked.

Have a wonderful vacation!

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I'm right below India so welcome to this part of the world! You can put "cdc travel" into google and you'll get the CDC travel site which will help you. Remember, what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. And try to remember all those community health classes!

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If you plan on visiting the small villages that have open sewers be sure to bring vick's vapor rub. When I was in India I would apply it just below my nose to help mask the awful odor. Bring lots of anti-diarrhea medicine-I sure wish I would have done so. Call your local health dept and they will recommend the immunization shots you need. When you do get sick and have to go to a doctor in a small village don't be surprised when they give you 50 pills and tell you to take all of them right now. I had seen the villagers drink water from the local well with no problems so I thought I could do it too-not true. I was so sick I thought I was going to die so I took all 50 pills at the same time as directed and survived. Yes drink only bottled water all the time, no exceptions. Have fun!

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