travel medication

Common travel medications cover several needs: pain/fever (caplets), anti-diarrheal caplets, motion-sickness chewable tablets for children, topical itch or analgesic sticks, humidifier/vaporizer cough-relief liquid, laxative suppositories for children, and laxative powder for adults.

Travel medicines commonly show age ranges such as 2 years and up, 6 years and up, 12 years and up, and 17 years and up. Exact recommendations vary by product, so check the specific label for age-appropriate dosing.

Common active ingredients shown are acetaminophen for pain (example: 500 mg caplets), loperamide hydrochloride for diarrhea, and polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350) for constipation.

Cough-relief liquid is added to a humidifier or vaporizer’s medicine cup in measured amounts (examples shown: ~1 tablespoon per quart of water or 1.5 tablespoons per pint). It’s intended for use in rooms for adults and children 2 years and older; follow the product directions for exact dosing and placement.