Travel Health Kit: Medicines to Pack (Australia)

Why Pack a Travel Health Kit?

The medicines you rely on at home are not always easy to find overseas — brand names differ, packaging is in another language, some familiar products are prescription-only in other countries, and pharmacy hours can be limited. A small, well-chosen kit lets you manage minor problems without hunting for a chemist in an unfamiliar place. Traveller's diarrhoea alone affects a large share of people visiting developing regions, usually in the first week, so rehydration and anti-diarrhoeal options earn their space. Buy everything before you leave, keep it in the original labelled packaging so it clears customs and airport security cleanly, and carry regular prescription medicines in your hand luggage with a copy of the script or a letter from your GP.

Motion Sickness: Preventing Travel Sickness

Motion sickness happens when the movement your inner ear senses does not match what your eyes see — on boats, planes, winding roads and trains. The two main over-the-counter tablet options work in different ways, and both are most effective when taken before you travel rather than once you already feel unwell.

Hyoscine (Kwells-type) tablets

Hyoscine hydrobromide (the active ingredient in Kwells and Kwells Kids) is an anticholinergic that calms the signals from the inner ear to the brain. It works quickly, which makes it useful for shorter trips, and small tablets can be dissolved in the mouth. Take it before travel as directed on the label. Common side effects include a dry mouth, blurred vision and drowsiness. It is not suitable for everyone — people with glaucoma, an enlarged prostate or some heart conditions should check with a pharmacist first — so ask for advice if you have an ongoing health condition or take other medicines.

Antihistamine tablets (dimenhydrinate and similar)

Sedating antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (in Travacalm Original) and promethazine also reduce the inner-ear signals that trigger nausea. They tend to last longer than hyoscine, which suits longer journeys, but drowsiness is common — an issue if you need to drive or stay alert on arrival. Because these tablets are themselves antihistamines, taking them alongside a separate antihistamine (for hay fever, for example) can add up to excessive drowsiness and dry mouth. Take as directed and avoid alcohol, which increases the sedating effect.

Travel sickness bands

Acupressure wristbands (such as Sea-Band) apply pressure to a point on the inner wrist and are drug-free, reusable and safe to combine with tablets. The clinical evidence is mixed, but because they carry no risk of drowsiness or drug interactions they suit people who cannot take the tablets, including some who are pregnant — though pregnancy is always a case for checking with a pharmacist or GP first. Simple measures help too: sit over the wing on a plane or midship on a boat, face forward, fix your eyes on the horizon, and get fresh air.

Traveller's Diarrhoea: Rehydration First

Traveller's diarrhoea is usually caused by food or water contaminated with bacteria, and for most healthy adults it settles within a few days. The single most important step is replacing the fluid and salts you lose — dehydration, not the diarrhoea itself, is what makes people seriously unwell. Plain water alone does not replace lost electrolytes well, and sugary soft drinks can make things worse, which is why an oral rehydration solution is the priority in your kit.

Oral rehydration solutions

Oral rehydration solutions such as Hydralyte contain a balanced mix of glucose and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) in the ratio that helps the gut absorb water most efficiently. They come as sachets, effervescent tablets and ready-to-drink liquids or ice blocks — the sachets and tablets pack flat and only need clean water to make up, which makes them ideal for travel. Sip small amounts often rather than drinking large volumes at once, especially if you are also feeling nauseated. Rehydration solutions are suitable for both adults and children, though young children who are unwell should be assessed by a doctor.

Loperamide (Imodium) for uncomplicated cases

Loperamide (the active ingredient in Imodium) slows down the gut so stools become firmer and less frequent. For a healthy adult with straightforward, watery traveller's diarrhoea — no fever and no blood — it can provide useful relief, for example on a long travel day. Take it as directed on the label, typically after each loose stool up to the stated daily maximum, and always alongside rehydration rather than instead of it. Loperamide is not suitable for children except on medical advice, and should be avoided if there is a high fever or blood or mucus in the stool, because slowing the gut can be harmful when a more serious infection is present.

Sun and Insect Protection Basics

Sunburn and insect bites are easy to overlook until they ruin a trip. Pack a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating — UV levels near the equator, on water and at altitude can be far higher than you are used to. For insects, a repellent containing DEET or picaridin is the most effective choice, and in regions with malaria, dengue or Zika, bite avoidance matters: cover up at dawn and dusk, use repellent on exposed skin, and consider a treated bed net. A hydrocortisone 1% cream or an antihistamine can ease the bites you do get. If you are heading to a malaria-risk area, see your GP or a travel clinic well ahead of time about antimalarial tablets and vaccinations.

Travel Health Kit Checklist

Use this as a starting point and tailor it to your destination, trip length and who you are travelling with. Keep quantities modest — enough to manage a problem until you can reach a pharmacy or doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be in a travel medical kit?

A practical over-the-counter kit for Australian travellers covers the most common problems: a motion sickness tablet (hyoscine such as Kwells, or an antihistamine type such as dimenhydrinate), an oral rehydration solution such as Hydralyte, loperamide (Imodium) for uncomplicated adult diarrhoea, a general pain reliever such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, antiseptic and plasters, SPF 50+ sunscreen, and an insect repellent with DEET or picaridin. Add any regular prescription medicines in your hand luggage, plus an anti-itch cream and a basic wound dressing. Tailor quantities to your trip length and destination.

How do you prevent traveller's diarrhoea?

The mainstay is care with food and water: drink bottled or properly treated water, avoid ice of uncertain origin, eat food freshly cooked and served hot, peel fruit yourself, and be cautious with salads, unpasteurised dairy and street food left sitting out. Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based sanitiser before eating. These steps reduce the risk but do not remove it, which is why packing an oral rehydration solution and loperamide is sensible. Routine antibiotics to prevent diarrhoea are generally not recommended — discuss your trip with a GP or travel clinic if you have concerns.

Can I take motion sickness tablets with antihistamines?

Take care here. Many motion sickness tablets — including dimenhydrinate and promethazine — are themselves sedating antihistamines. Taking one of these together with a separate antihistamine, such as a hay fever tablet, can add up to excessive drowsiness, dry mouth and blurred vision. Hyoscine (Kwells) is not an antihistamine but is anticholinergic, so combining it with sedating antihistamines can also increase side effects. If you need both, or you already take other medicines, ask a pharmacist which combination is safe for you before you travel.

Kwells or Travacalm — which motion sickness tablet is better?

It depends on the trip. Kwells (hyoscine hydrobromide) acts quickly and is often preferred for shorter journeys, while Travacalm Original (dimenhydrinate) lasts longer, which can suit longer trips — both cause drowsiness in many people. There is no single best choice for everyone; suitability depends on your health, other medicines and how you respond. Whichever you choose, take it before you travel rather than once you already feel sick, and ask a pharmacist if you have glaucoma, prostate problems, heart conditions, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Is Imodium or Gastro-Stop good for traveller's diarrhoea?

Both Imodium and Gastro-Stop contain the same active ingredient, loperamide, which slows the gut to reduce loose, frequent stools. For a healthy adult with straightforward watery diarrhoea and no fever or blood, loperamide can give useful relief. Use it alongside an oral rehydration solution, not instead of it, and avoid it if you have a high fever or blood or mucus in your stool. It is not for young children except on medical advice. Read the label and follow the dosing directions.

Can I fly with medicines in my carry-on?

Yes — keep essential and regular medicines in your hand luggage so they are with you if checked bags are delayed. Keep everything in its original packaging with the pharmacy label, and carry a copy of your prescription or a GP letter for prescription items, which also helps at customs. Liquids over 100mL may be allowed for medical needs, but declare them at security. Because some medicines that are legal in Australia are restricted overseas, check your destination's entry rules (Smartraveller is a good start) before you fly.