Flying somewhere warm this fall? A well-stocked travel health kit can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a trip-ruining illness thousands of kilometres from home. Your Edmonton pharmacist can help you build one tailored to your destination, your medical history, and your itinerary. Here is exactly what to pack and when to start preparing.
Start 4 to 6 weeks before your trip
The single most common mistake travellers make is waiting until the last minute. Some travel vaccines require multiple doses spread over weeks, and certain prescription medications need time for your body to adjust. Book a travel health consultation at least four to six weeks before departure. Your pharmacist will review your destination, planned activities, length of stay, and personal health history to recommend the right vaccines, prescriptions, and over-the-counter supplies.
Essential over-the-counter medications
These are the non-prescription items that belong in every travel kit, regardless of destination. Pack them in their original packaging with clear labels so customs officers can identify them quickly.
- Pain relievers and fever reducers. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) cover headaches, muscle aches, dental pain, and fever. Bring both because they work differently and can be alternated if needed.
- Anti-diarrheal. Loperamide (Imodium) is essential for managing traveller's diarrhea symptoms while you get to a clinic or wait for antibiotics to work. It does not treat the infection but it keeps you functional.
- Antihistamines. Cetirizine (Reactine) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic reactions, insect bite swelling, or unexpected hives. Diphenhydramine also works as a mild sleep aid for jet lag.
- Motion sickness medication. Dimenhydrinate (Gravol) if you are prone to motion sickness on boats, buses, or small aircraft. Take it 30 minutes before travel for best results.
- Antacids. Calcium carbonate (Tums) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) for heartburn and stomach upset from unfamiliar foods. Pepto-Bismol also has mild antibacterial properties that may help prevent traveller's diarrhea.
- Oral rehydration salts. Packets of electrolyte powder (such as Hydralyte or Gastrolyte) are lightweight and critical if you get diarrhea or vomiting in a hot climate. Dehydration is the real danger with traveller's diarrhea, not the diarrhea itself.
Prescription medications to discuss with your pharmacist
Depending on where you are going, your pharmacist may prescribe one or more of the following before you leave Edmonton.
- Antibiotics for traveller's diarrhea. Ciprofloxacin or azithromycin prescribed as a standby course. You carry it with you and take it only if you develop moderate to severe diarrhea. This is standard practice for travel to regions with high risk of bacterial diarrhea (Mexico, Central America, South and Southeast Asia, Africa).
- Antimalarial medication. If you are travelling to a malaria-endemic area, you will need prophylactic medication. Options include atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline, or mefloquine. Each has different dosing schedules, side effects, and costs. Your pharmacist will help you choose the right one and explain when to start taking it.
- Altitude sickness prevention. Acetazolamide (Diamox) is prescribed for travellers heading to high-altitude destinations like Cusco, La Paz, or Himalayan treks. It helps your body acclimatize faster and reduces the risk of acute mountain sickness.
- Your existing prescriptions. Bring enough of your regular medications to last the entire trip plus a few extra days in case of delays. Keep them in original pharmacy-labelled bottles. If you take controlled substances, carry a letter from your pharmacist or physician confirming the prescription.
First aid supplies
A compact first aid kit handles the cuts, blisters, and minor injuries that happen on every trip. You do not need a full emergency kit, just the basics.
- Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- Sterile gauze pads and medical tape
- Antibiotic ointment (Polysporin)
- Hydrocortisone cream (1%) for insect bites and rashes
- Blister pads (Compeed or moleskin) if you will be walking a lot
- Tweezers for splinters or ticks
- Digital thermometer
- Hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or higher)
Sun protection
Sunburn is the most common travel health complaint, and it is entirely preventable. Pack a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, and bring enough for reapplication every two hours. If you are going somewhere tropical, choose a water-resistant formula. Lip balm with SPF is easy to forget and easy to regret. Aloe vera gel (small tube) provides relief if you do burn.
Insect repellent
In destinations where mosquitoes carry diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, or chikungunya, insect repellent is not optional. Use a product containing 20 to 30 percent DEET or 20 percent icaridin (picaridin). DEET remains the gold standard recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada for tropical travel. Apply it to exposed skin and over sunscreen, not under it. For extra protection, consider permethrin-treated clothing, especially for jungle or rural travel.
Documentation you need to carry
Packing medications is only half the job. You also need the right paperwork to avoid problems at borders and to get help if something goes wrong abroad.
- Complete medication list. A typed list of every medication you take, including the generic name, dose, and frequency. If you use an EpiPen or carry controlled substances, this list is especially important.
- Travel insurance card. Keep a physical copy in your carry-on and a photo on your phone. Know your policy number and emergency assistance phone number before you leave.
- Vaccination record. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry. Your International Certificate of Vaccination (the yellow card) must be stamped and signed. Even for destinations that do not require proof, carrying your vaccination record helps local doctors if you get sick.
- Copies of prescriptions. Pharmacy labels on the bottles are usually sufficient, but a separate letter is wise for controlled substances, injectable medications, or large quantities.
What NOT to pack
Knowing what to leave behind is just as important as knowing what to bring. These items cause problems at security and customs.
- Needles or syringes without documentation. If you need injectable medication (insulin, EpiPen, blood thinners), carry a prescription or doctor's letter confirming the medical necessity. Without documentation, syringes can be confiscated or lead to questioning at borders.
- Too many liquids in carry-on. OTC liquids and gels must comply with airline liquid restrictions (typically 100 mL containers in a 1 L clear bag). Pack larger bottles in checked luggage. Prescription medications in liquid form are generally exempt but should be declared at security.
- Medications banned in your destination. Some countries ban medications that are legal in Canada. Codeine is restricted in several countries. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is prohibited in Japan and some Middle Eastern countries. Your pharmacist can check your destination's rules before you travel.
Destination-specific advice from your pharmacist
A generic health kit covers the basics, but the real value of a pharmacist consultation is the destination-specific guidance. Where you are going changes what you need.
- Mexico and the Caribbean. See our Mexico vaccine guide. Traveller's diarrhea risk is moderate to high. Standby antibiotics, extra rehydration salts, and insect repellent for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
- Southeast Asia. Malaria prophylaxis for rural areas, Japanese encephalitis vaccine for longer stays, and hepatitis A protection if not already vaccinated.
- Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria prophylaxis is essential. Yellow fever vaccine is required for entry to many countries. Typhoid vaccine is strongly recommended.
- South America. Altitude medication for Andean destinations. Yellow fever vaccine for Amazon basin travel. Rabies pre-exposure vaccine for remote trekking.
- Europe. Lower risk overall, but carry your European Health Insurance Card equivalent (travel insurance), tick repellent for rural areas, and confirm your routine vaccinations are current.
Your pharmacist at Acme Drug Mart reviews current CDC and Public Health Agency of Canada advisories for your specific destination and tailors the kit accordingly.
A checklist you can use
Print this or save it to your phone. Check off each item before you leave Edmonton.
- Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
- Loperamide (anti-diarrheal)
- Antihistamine (cetirizine or diphenhydramine)
- Motion sickness medication
- Antacid
- Oral rehydration salts
- Standby antibiotic (if prescribed)
- Antimalarial (if prescribed)
- Altitude medication (if prescribed)
- Full supply of regular prescriptions plus extra days
- First aid kit (bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment, thermometer)
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ and lip balm with SPF
- Insect repellent with DEET or icaridin
- Medication list
- Travel insurance card
- Vaccination record
- Prescription copies or letters
Walk in before you fly out
(780) 443-0202. Unit 103, 15508 87 Ave NW, Meadowlark Place, Edmonton. Open Monday 9 to 5, Tuesday through Friday 9 to 6, Saturday 11 to 5. Come in four to six weeks before your trip and we will build your travel health kit, administer any needed vaccines, and make sure you are covered for wherever you are headed.