BarbiJKM

Oh! You have got to try this product: www.buggspray.com (2 g's) I use their 25% Deet with vanilla pump spray for mosquitoes, but it also works well for biting flies and sand fleas. It is absolutely the BEST insect repellent I've ever used in tropical locations around the world. They also have a stronger version for biting flies that will work well on sand fleas as well.

Travel hint: they also offer a little 1 oz. pump spray, which I bought the first time, and now refill from the larger bottles. It's small enough (and clearly labeled as 1 oz.) to go in carry-on, which comes in handy when you arrive in a mosquito-infested outdoor airport and need to spray before accessing your luggage at baggage claim. (The Bora Bora airport, for example, is infamous for its mosquitoes!) The 1 oz pump is also handy enough to carry around in a day pack (or in your pocket).

rnmcd

Anyone here with enough pharmaceutical experience to offer their opinion of doxycycline as an anti-biotic to take with me on a trip to SE Asia?

schwarm

I'm not an internal medicine or infectious disease specialist, but my immediate reaction is that Keflex is not a good choice for gastrointestinal bugs. Z-Pak would be a better choice. Ciprofloxacin or Levaquin even better. Keflex would be good for a possible skin infection.

I don't go international without:

Ciprofloxacin or Levaquin (or Z-Pak): not to be taken prophylactically
Lomotil (would only take to make it through a flight or similar)
Prilosec
Tums, or similar

Ibuprofen
Tylenol

Prednisone (only taken if I'm certain I'm not really ill)
Benadryl
Sudafed
Afrin spray

Antibiotic ointment

Lubricating eye drops

Ambien

If going somewhere new in the tropics or with significant endemic infectious diseases, I would see an infectious disease specialist, too.

Ready2Go

Is there some reason you don't want to ask an actual doctor?

STBCypriot

In many countries you can buy what you need, if you know what you need, without a prescription.

I was just in Cyprus and had a sinus infection and went to the pharmacy for antibiotics and got exactly what I needed. I've also bought the same antibiotics in Thailand and Russia without a prescription - seems like I get sinus infections a lot in the winter after being cooped up on a plane for a long time.

Of course, your health insurance may not pay for the medication if purchased outside the US (mine does) but often the price is quite reasonable.

SirRagnar

I'm a pharmacist.

Doxycycline is a great antibiotic and also a malaria prophylactic and it will cover most of the bacterial infections you may encounter (for malaria prophylaxis you need to pre-load a week prior to departure and take them every day).
However, it has one major downside when traveling in sunny areas. It is photo-sensibilizing, which means you will more easily turn red and get burned by the sun. Are you visiting the jungle it is no problem, but if you plan on spending time on the beach you need to be careful.

Disclaimer (in case you are from the US ):
Pregnant women should not take doxycyline

I will usually also bring ciprofloxacine and imodium for gastro-intestinal problem often encountered it works great to take imodium and if more severe combine it with one 500mg tablet of ciprofloxacine. It'll take pretty much all gastro-intestinal issues caused by bacteria (if a virus you just need to suck it up )
Besides that I can recommend a fucidin cream for any skin infections you might catch if you are in the jungle.

SirRagnar

You might have to be careful with the codeine and hydrocodone as they are classified as narcotics (they are opium derivatives) and banned in many countries. If one brings anything like that one should as minimum remember the prescription, but I would recommend using alternatives such as NSAIDs without opium derivatives (ibuprofene, naproxene, ASA or the likes).

SirRagnar

A lot of good advice in your post, absolutely, but this one is not the best in my opinion.
PeptoBismol is an antacid and therefore decreases the acidity in the stomach (increases pH). This is good if you have heart burns, but it is not so good if you want to avoid stomach bugs as the acidity of the stomach is actually an important part of the immune defense system as the acid will kill many germs. It might therefore increase your risk of being infected with a stomach bug.

rnmcd

I don't want to pay the $250 (insurance non-reimbursable) fee to see him.

JennyElf

Ciprofloxacin, basically used to treat gastro-intestinal issues since that's the most likely thing to hit me when traveling. Oddly enough though, have yet to actually take it, but it's been useful for my sister and my husband when I've traveled with them.

doxycycline I've only used when traveling to certain malaria zones (it doesn't work in all zones). That one is taken prophylacticly. Otherwise, I've never traveled with it.

EOS

HELLO-
It was my US doctor plus a specialized travel doctor--and several other medical people as well as the Rough Guide Travel Health book--who have over the years recommended PEPTO as a prophylactic against stomach problems while traveling. They recommend taking one or two tabs after meals-- to ward off stomach upset (not after).
It is one part of my complex and multi-pronged plan to avoid stomach upset and any other maladies while traveling. I also eat yoghurt for breakfast (mixed bacteria)--and in third world or developing countries or remote regions I eat only vegetarian food (no meat or fish) and eat only cooked food, don't drink water from tap and have no drinks with ice.
I eat lightly. I eat prudently. I enjoy the local food--but eat judiciously. If in doubt, I do not eat. I enjoy delicious food while traveling, but very prudently--and carefully.
Better to avoid a heavy mutton curry in India and have the light and healthy vegetarian Biryani rice (delicious) instead and not live to regret. Better to avoid a lovely salad or raw fish in remote Brazil--and eat the cheese puffs or a light vegetarian dish.
I don't drink alcohol.
This might seem like the kill-joy approach of all time. It's not. I eat well. But...I do not get hangovers, I do not get sick, I do not lie around in hotel rooms for days feeling wretched and I do not have to go and consult a (possibly dodgy) local hospital or doctor.
Take care of your health while at home. Take care of your health while traveling.
I take Pepto--two--after meals and follow a prudent and experienced approach to dining while traveling in Mexico or Bali or Greece or Turkey or Brazil or India, for example, and never get stomach problems.
However, I am not a doctor. i am not a nurse.
I am a very experienced traveler. I take care of myself when traveling. This is my plan. It may not appeal to all. Everyone has their own approach, their own tolerance, their own medical situation. I am not advocating--merely recounting what works for me. Work considering.
Safe and happy travels to all...

EOS

Yes, agreed.

Over the years, my travel kit gets improved and bandaids...several kinds...are always in it. Plus a safety pin or two.
I also carry an ace bandage--several--as I once twisted my ankle getting into a balloon (the up in the air kind...) in Alsace. The ace bandage was so helpful...and would be great if you sprain your wrist (lifting luggage etc).
The key: be prepared.
in fact...I seldom--pretty much never--have to use the bandages (I do rely on bandaids for my toes and heels) and never use the Cipro or ...whatever..in my kit. The point is that it is all there. I check theh 'use-by' labels every year or so--and get new supplies.

I know from experience that many people (perhaps not really aware of travel requirements, or simply too lazy) think 'Oh, you can get it in ...' where they are going. At midnight, you feel sick. Do you want to pay for a doctor visit to your hotel? Do you want to go wandering around looking for a pharmacy? Do you want to simply be sick all night? No...
My other experience: you get a headache (bright sun, bad air in a city) and go to a pharmacy (anywhere, even Paris) and ask for something from the pharmacist. You are unfamiliar with the label or name and don't really know what you are buying--or if you might be allergic to it. Or if it is really what you need.
Be prepared--for your own special style or needs, your level of comfort, your special requirements--and focus on having a great time, not wasting time tromping around an unfamiliar place looking for bandaids--or not having time to get a headache relief because you have to leave for an early plan.
Travel is an adventure! Travel well. Travel healthy. Be prepared.

SirRagnar

Oh I don't question that. It's a fine remedy for preventing such problems. I was just stating that the decreased acidity (which is part of how it works) also affects the stomach acid's ability to kill the foreign bacteria and parasites you might also enjoy with your meal
Just something to factor in if someone is considering following the advice. There are pros and cons of all drugs
I would not take pepto if I was eating hygienic questionable food, but perhaps if I was eating deep fried food - not a problem with bacteria or parasites.

Traveltalker

Barb -
Thank you so much!!! It was exciting to find out that they make Buggspray right here in MN....I'm sure I won't be disappointed and will be their next fan. Thanks again!

chgoeditor

I've carried Cipro with me on trips to Africa.

My doctor has also recommended bringing a big bottle of liquid Pepto (not pills) if I'm worried about stomach bugs. His explanation (if I'm remembering it correctly) is that liquid Pepto's formulation is actually different from the chewables, and has some mild antibiotic properties. He's told me to take twice the recommended dose until the problem passes or I can see a doctor. One word of warning: I've found that taking that dosage for several days can cause ringing in the ears.

Separately, my doctor does NOT recommend Imodium unless you absolutely need it (ie, you are not near a bathroom). The logic behind it is that diarrhea helps get the bug out of your body, but Imodium keeps your body from expelling that bug as quickly. Makes sense to me.