These are a list of essential street-legal pharmaceutical drugs to pack or kit as an operative in their standard loadout or everyday carry.

OTC Painkillers

I am plagued with chronic headaches and migraines so I always have a generous amount of whatever legal analgesics (Tylenol, Advil, etc.) I can procure in any given country. But even if you don’t get headaches, they’re many other alleviating uses for them; fever, jet lag, hangover or any other bodily pain.

Excessive travel and constant exposure to new and exotic environments makes the body react in unpredictable ways.

PRO TIP :   If you use oxycodone, valium or other prescription drugs, try not to carry too much at a time as they could be severely illegal in some countries. Having a prescription handy could be useful.

Antibiotics

Although I’ve never had to use oral antibiotics in the field or while traveling, I do have a few doses as well as topical antibiotics. If you tend to get sick easily or have a weak immune system, it could ideal to get the right antibiotics for the type of environment you’ll be traveling.

In any case, a small bottle of Neosporin could be very useful to any type of traveler.

PRO TIP :   Colds and flu’s tend to occur more while traveling but remember, antibiotics has zero affect on viruses.

Anti-Diarrheal

The last thing I want to talk about is diarrhea but it is the most common sickness to travelers of which effects pretty much everyone at one point or another. But there is a cure, a damn good one and it’s called loperamide, a wonder drug.

In layman’s terms, it completely stops the diarrhea process as well as the unpleasant symptoms with extreme prejudice. Then many hours later you can relieve yourself, with comfort. The reason this is so vital for travel is that diarrhea can not always be taken care of otherwise in certain situations; long-haul flights, non-stop bus rides or walking around a strange city.

PRO TIP :   “Traveler’s Diarrhea” strikes 10 million international travelers a year so add it to your travel kit.

Multivitamins

These aren’t drugs at all as they are technically foods, but they look and taste like drugs so let’s continue. A steady supplement of multivitamins along with a healthy diet can make you a slightly better you, we all know this. But a healthy diet is not always easy while traveling the world with so much food to experiment with.

Multivitamins can balance you out while giving you that natural edge of energy while going crazy with the local cuisine.

PRO TIP :   I pick up a bottle of Centrum if I happen to see it wherever I am in the world.

Antimalarial

We live in an odd world where a simple mosquito bite can make you immensely sick or even kill you… malaria. But travel the world we will, including the beautiful tropics, of which these infected mosquitoes love to dwell. Antimalarial drugs are very effective but require a prescription or valid clinic visit for each particular country you visit.

Depending on the endemic or warning level of where malaria may be present, you should opt to get these drugs. Despite the high cost and side effects, it could be worth it.

PRO TIP :   Be wary of purchasing antimalarial pills without a prescription as they often sell you stolen, expired or even fake meds.

Potassium Iodide

To most people this is overkill. Potassium Iodide tablets are intended to be ingested prior to the exposure of radioactive iodine released from a nuclear reactor, nuclear bomb or fallout. It’s FDA approved as a nuclear radiation blocking agent but it’s not a magic shield at all but it does work as intended.

It’s no stranger to have these while traveling the world than a stack of these just sitting in your home, because a SHTF event can happen anywhere at anytime.

PRO TIP :   There are many brands popping up selling potassium iodide for cheap, but this isn’t something you want with uncertain quality, opt for IOSAT.