Some Things to Consider

Depending on how remote your destination, your planned length of stay, your interest and training in wilderness emergencies, prescription medications can be vital.

If you are going somewhere truly remote like the rainforests of the Central African Republic, or the high Pamirs of Tajikistan, prescription medications are essential because they allow you to deal with conditions such as:

• Allergic reactions
• Uncomplicated infections
• Burns
• Traveler's diarrhea
• Mild altitude sickness
• Pain management (see story below)
• Nausea/vomiting
• Malarial protection
• Other acute or urgent medical conditions

kurt's Thoughts on Prescription Medications to discuss with your physician

Here are some specific Rx ideas to consider and discuss with your medical doctor, remembering that your individual condition, training and expertise are factors in what will actually be recommended or prescribed to you:

• Ana-Sting Kit: Emergency treatment of allergic reaction to the sting of various species of bees, wasps, hornets, etc. Most important for serious cases that can cause a rapidly fatal reaction known as anaphylaxis.
• Anti-Malarials: Malaria prevention is highly dependent on destination so there are various options.
• Bactroban: Skin lesions
• Cephalexin: Antibiotic for skin, soft tissue, and wound infection.
• Cimetidine 300 mg: Anti-ulcer medication.
• Cipro 500 mg: Antibiotic for traveler's diarrhea.
• Dexamethasone 4 mg: Treatment for high altitude sickness.
• Diamox 250 mg: Prevention of high altitude sickness.
• Doxycycline: Inexpensive treatment for urinary, intestinal, an respiratory infections. Also has activity against malaria, leptospirosis, and African tick fever.
• Genamycin Opth: Antibacterial eye drops.
• Lorezapam 1 mg: Mild, long-acting sedative.
• Naproxen 550 mg: Potent anti-inflammatory and pain medication.
• Silvadene Cream: Burn wound antibiotic.
• Stadol 6 ml: Synthetic morphine-equivalent. (2 mg/ml)
• Tylenol #3: Intermediate strength pain medication.
• Zithromax Z-Pack: Respiratory infection.

kurt's perspective:  Pain Management in Remote Areas

Let me say only this — BE PREPARED. I hear lots of stories from people who have suffered serious injuries in remote locations. Before purchasing one of our medical kits, one customer's story is especially revealing.

He was in a car wreck in the Northern Territories of Australia and his pelvis was broken. It was very painful! It took 18 hours to get him to an Aboriginal clinic where they had nothing stronger than aspirin.

Then it took another 18 hours before he got to a decent hospital. Pain management is obviously of great concern in a situation like this!

Besides not having any pain medication with him, this fellow also did NOT have — and wished he did have — Worldwide Dial-a-Doctor, Medical Evacuation, and Medical Repatriation Services.

He quickly signed up for an annual membership after what he went through. We highly recommend you do the same!