What Medicine Celebs Pack For A Vacay Vs. What An Expert Says You Should Take Along

What’s in her travel medication bag: “I’m a walking pharmacy when I travel (laughs). At overseas shoots, crew members always come to me if they [don’t feel well]. I have basic medicine like Panadol and antihistamines to pills for food poisoning, and even relaxants to help me sleep. Sometimes, I travel through different time zones and I still need to work the next morning, so it’s important that I sleep. If I’m going to very hot places, I’ll take oral sunblock. I even have antibiotics, just in case.”

It happened to me: “When I was filming in Korea, I caught hay fever. And it was quite bad — my head felt heavy and my face was swelling up. So I took a lot of antihistamines, which helped. So far, I’ve been quite lucky that that was one of the only times that I fell sick overseas. But I’m still paranoid, that’s why I bring the pharmacy with me (laughs). Especially since there are places where there may not be 24-hour clinics, especially in the outskirts.”

Prevention is better than cure: “I go for flu jabs every year. It protects you against certain strains, so I don’t really get the flu often.”

What’s in his travel medication bag: “I’ll take along nasal decongestants ’cos I have sinus, though I don’t get it that often now. I’ll also pack Panadol for headaches, multivitamins, flu and fever medicine, and charcoal pills for diarrhoea. If it’s a long trip, I’ll bring turmeric powder — it’s very good for detoxing the body. Add black pepper to the turmeric to enhance [its benefits].”

Prevention is better than cure: “If I’m going on a long trip to a third world country, I may take along probiotics (dietary supplement containing live bacteria that is good for gut health) in case my stomach can’t adapt to the water or food there. Other than that, I’ll just drink plenty of water. If our body lacks water, the toxins in our body build up and that’s when all the sicknesses come in.”

What’s in his travel medication bag: “I always pack Panadol, and medicine for cold, flu, cough and diarrhoea. I also have pills for nasal congestion — I have sinus, so I take it quite often — and my asthma spray for my childhood asthma. I haven’t had a relapse for a few years now, but I take it with me just in case. If it’s a work trip, I’ll take fish oil and Vitamin C supplements. I’ll also bring mosquito repellent on camping trips.”

It happened to me: “Once, I fell pretty sick in Bangkok. I didn’t know what I was down with, so I went to a pharmacy and I just whacked it lah — I asked them for different types of medicine for things like cold and stomach flu. (Laughs) The next day, I felt much better.”

Prevention is better than cure: “If I take a long-haul flight, I’ll try to eat cleaner and less spicy food so I won’t get an upset stomach on the plane. It’s not very nice to hog the toilet [onboard] for so long!”

What’s in her travel medication bag: “Panadol, Zyrtec for nasal congestion, charcoal pills for food poisoning, Vicks for cough relief, eye drops and ointments for headaches. Since I [get travel constipation], maybe I should also bring laxatives next time?”

Prevention is better than cure: “Before my trip, I’ll try to avoid heaty food, drink lots of water and sleep early. I’ll also buy the best travel insurance and pray very hard not to fall sick.”

We asked Watsons pharmacist Low Yi Ting what pills to pack so as to take to ensure your holiday won’t be ruined by the flu bug (or worse).

• Your chronic medication: Make sure you have a sufficient supply — don’t count on buying more at your destination.
• Activated charcoal pills: In case of mild diarrhoea. Take charcoal at least two hours apart from other meds as it may interfere with the absorption of the other meds.
• Loperamide*, diphenoxylate with atrophine*: If diarrhoea persists.
• Dimenhydrinate* or cinnarizine*: For motion sickness.
• Antihistamines such as cetirizine, loratadine or fexofenadine: These multi-purpose pills treat allergies and cold symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy skin rash and watery eyes, and helps minimise mild swelling or skin rash due to allergies.
• Oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine* or phenylephrine: For blocked nose.
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen: Fever, body aches and pain, chills, sore throat, headaches.

*Stock up on these at the pharmacy.

4 practical tips from Yiting (pictured):

#1: Hand carry meds that have to be taken at least once daily. You minimise chances of them getting lost in transition.

#2: Go for a medical consultation at least one month before travel… to allow for a thorough evaluation and for any required immunisations to take effect. For example, anti-malarial medication, mefloquine, needs to be taken one to two weeks prior to travel.

#3: Take probiotics… to regulate gut flora and minimise risk of diarrhoea.

#4: Take with you hand sanitisers… to minimise risk of diarrhoea on holiday. Always wash or disinfect hands before and after meals.