What medicines do you travel O/S with? [No specific medical advice]

[MEL_Traveller]

That's interesting. Other countries I was aware of, but not Japan. But would they really give a tourist 'trouble' if a packet was found when entering the country? Surely it would be more of a 'tut tut, not allowed, sir', with it confiscated?

If you left a packet by the bathroom basin, would the maid report it?

I doubt the maid would care. (But that being said, trying to buy anything stronger than a panadol OTC in Japan seems to be almost impossible.)

I was referring only to customs. I don't know what the penalty is for attempting to bring it in. Only that I read enough to make sure I leave it behind when going to Japan.

Simple things like Vicks inhalers are also prohibited imports (along with codeine mixes such as panadol forte etc)

 

[RooFlyer]

I doubt the maid would care. (But that being said, trying to buy anything stronger than a panadol OTC in Japan seems to be almost impossible.)

I was referring only to customs. I don't know what the penalty is for attempting to bring it in. Only that I read enough to make sure I leave it behind when going to Japan.

Simple things like Vicks inhalers are also prohibited imports (along with codeine mixes such as panadol forte etc)

Good lesson there, thanks.

 

[LadyC]

It is very hard to get what we might consider standard medicines OTC in Japan. The gentleman ended up with gastro on one trip there. You can't buy imodium or the like OTC. It took us two trips to the doctor to get it sorted (as the doctor under prescribed the dosage).

 

[k_sheep]

Mr k_sheep is an expert at getting severe gastro overseas in rural areas with scarce medical care, so I've got norfloxacin, azithromycin, oral rehydration solution, IV and oral metoclopramide, and ondansetron. Sadly have had to use it all many times!

I carry 2 oxazepam tablets for sleeping on the plane (there and back, half each for hubby and I) and I figure no one can argue that small a quantity. Also a couple of different antibiotics (including doxy if in malaria zone), paracetamol, and ibuprofen.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Mr k_sheep is an expert at getting severe gastro overseas in rural areas with scarce medical care...

have you tried Travelan? I swear by it. Have been all through Egypt, Bali, India and not a sign of a tummy upset. (dashes to touch wood)

 

[JessicaTam]

I just carry some antibiotics and paracetamol/ibuprofen. If that doesn't cover what ails me I will find a doctor or pharmacist.

 

[leadman]

Agree, the more I travel the more I've become a minimalist. Medicine, clothes, etc, etc, I'm now doing 30+ day trips in under 13kg's which includes the weight of the Samsonite! Coming back is a different story, need that room for the Single Malts!!!

 

[Jay Cee]

Did you have an injection for malaria prevention? I've only been offered the course of tablets (before, during and after travel to the affected area).

You can have capsules for typhoid prevention (not sure if its patient-situation specific); course of 3 or 4, but they have to be kept refrigerated.

In short RooFlyer, my GP & Cardiologist recommended shots ONLY in my case. Something to do with contra-indicated with cardiac medication, which is all oral. (does that make sense ?)

cheers

 

[Cynicor]

In short RooFlyer, my GP & Cardiologist recommended shots ONLY in my case. Something to do with contra-indicated with cardiac medication, which is all oral. (does that make sense ?)

cheers

There is no injection/vaccination for malaria.
Typhoid injection is generally superior to the oral vaccine.

 

[Shelf]

I have a gut that is very sensitive when travelling, so Imodium is essential. I'll also pack a small first aid kit.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I've got a fatter version of the Travellers First Aid kit shown in post 1. The "bomb" is essential in many countries.

I also pack my blood pressure tablets in case of "herniated bill" syndrome!

 

[cove]

I still travel with Vicks First Defence that is not sold in Australia and BioFreeze that is plentiful in the US but not here in Australia.

 

[RooFlyer]

Vicks I can imagine but what id Biofreeze, please?

 

[cove]

BioFreeze is a product that is applied to your skin to freeze an area of pain for four to eight hours. Wash your hands in warm soapy water after applying it.

 

[get me outta here]

Was that what was on Catalyst the other night to freeze ticks so that they drop off dead frozen and don't poison you and cause 'mammalian meat' allergy?

BioFreeze is a product that is applied to your skin to freeze an area of pain for four to eight hours. Wash your hands in warm soapy water after applying it.

 

[cleaninglady]

Indeed. Absolutely not permitted into Japan for example. Even a single sudafed (the real stuff) tablet can land you in trouble there.

I'd be careful with OTC codeine combinations in countries such as Singapore and the UAE.

what about Singapore and Abu D if you're just stopping over on the way through to UK? (non FF here - hope to soon)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

what about Singapore and Abu D if you're just stopping over on the way through to UK? (non FF here - hope to soon)

By 'stopping over' you mean a connection of a couple hours where you won't leave the airport? Those situations are subject to security screening, not customs. I'm not sure of the law in the UAE regarding transit, but Singapore doesn't care.

If you are leaving the airport, for a night stopover for example, you will be subject to customs.

 

[Pushka]

Be cautious with sudafed since pseudoephedrine is illegal to bring through customs in a number of countries. As are combinations with codeine.

We recently went to Dubai. Pseudoephedrine is readily available to pick it off the shelf. No need to even ask for it. Singapore is the same. Much easier to purchase in Dubai than in Australia.

In both Dubai and Thailand we've been told that norflaxicin (sp) is dangerous and they don't stock it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We recently went to Dubai. Pseudoephedrine is readily available to pick it off the shelf. No need to even ask for it. Singapore is the same. Much easier to purchase in Dubai than in Australia.

In both Dubai and Thailand we've been told that norflaxicin (sp) is dangerous and they don't stock it.

That's interesting. I'm just reading a list of controlled substances for Dubai and they say Pseudoephedrine is allowed in only with prescription (although it can also be prescribed once in the UAE). This would preclude many cold and flu OTC medications we can get here at the pharmac_.

Was it actual pseudoephedrine available on the shelves, or the 'PE' version, which contains a look-a-like ingredient (but doesn't actually work as well)?

As far as I can tell, pseudoephedrine is a controlled substance in Singapore as well.

 

[Pushka]

That's interesting. I'm just reading a list of controlled substances for Dubai and they say Pseudoephedrine is allowed in only with prescription (although it can also be prescribed once in the UAE). This would preclude many cold and flu OTC medications we can get here at the pharmac_.

Was it actual pseudoephedrine available on the shelves, or the 'PE' version, which contains a look-a-like ingredient (but doesn't actually work as well)?

As far as I can tell, pseudoephedrine is a controlled substance in Singapore as well.

Definitely pseudoephedrine. That phenyl whatever is junk. MrP gets sinusitis and we always take the real thing. I'll do a rummage and see if I can find a packet we purchased in Dubai. Definitely the same in Singapore but not Thailand.

Yep. Here's the packet. You can see the Arabic writing. Panadol sinus imported from Australia and manufactured by GSK.

View attachment 42469

Interesting the warning is for the Panadol and not the pseudoephedrine.