Do I need all these meds?

Hamanda

I have just been to Boots to buy Malaria tablets and was quite surprised to find that pharmacist said I should also purchase repellent wipes and pump spray, cream to rub on bites if I get bit (doesn't say much for repellent), a plug in thingy to keep mosie's away,antihistamines, tablets incase I get diahorreah (can't spell that one), and also diahorreah medicine that helps to put fluids back into body. Total cost was approximately £35.00, so I said I'd just get malaria tablets and think about the rest. She then filled out a form detailing the advise she had given me and got me to sign it (never come across this before).

Do I need to buy all this stuff - just feel it's going to take up a lot of room in my bag and a lot of money out of my purse.

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Hamanda

edwardseco

No one ever gets intestinal illness while visiting India so..

desleigh

man,, you can get all that at a fraction of the cost in india at the 'druggist' if and when you need it, very easily

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a life lived in fear is a life half lived

Nick-H

The first step towards not getting malaria (etc) is not being bitten. I would recommend you take (or buy there) insect repellent.

You will still get bitten... get some insect bite cream.

You may very well not get the unspellable/unsmellable: if you do then you can but the pills and the rehydration salts there.

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

eater

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H The first step towards not getting malaria (etc) is not being bitten. I would recommend you take (or buy there) insect repellent. You will still get bitten... get some insect bite cream.

Hamanda: Do I need all these meds?

I couldn't agree more with Nick-H......for 20 pounds or so you have what you need on hand......it may save you unnecessary shopping-time for insect repellant wipes, ...... If you don't have to use the wipes this time, may come in handy on your next trip. ...bon voyage!

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Just happy to be here.........

Anders

Those plug in thingys are great, but can be bought very cheaply in any shop in India.

navinkurian2002

I would check out http://www.cdc.gov/travel/indianrg.htm and then decide if I want to buy the meds back home or buy them in india .Remembers the exact replicas of the meds and the repellents may not be available in india .

Nick-H

I could not get insect-bite cream in Chennai: but one tube goes a long way, take one with you.

john.sw

Just to give you an example of the price differences between the UK and India:

Antihistamine UK Rs.150
Antihistamine India Rs.3½

Just take the brand name AND the generic name of the drugs with you, and buy what you need when you are in India.

Remember that chemists in India are shopkeepers. They are not necessarily pharmacists, so cannot offer advice.

You can buy any drugs over the counter, and although the packet may tell you that a doctor's prescription is required, in practice, all that is required is some cash.

I always bring back prescription drugs with me from India.

Many drugs prescribed by doctors in the UK are made in India, and Blair will happily charge you the "subsidised" rate of Rs.510.50 for antibiotics that would cost you Rs.5/- in India.

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goangoangone

Boots is a rip off.

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GoanGoan......here

Nick-H

As my local London pharmacist says, he is a tax collector...

goangoangone

By the way.........my latest batch of Doxy are in capsule form and enteric

skell

I would definitely take some diahorreah tablets. It''s not something you want to have to shop for after you need them!