Cruising medication

This seemed a reasonable list to me to cover a range of possible problems and all straight forward to obtain from a good GP or private doctor, with the only possible concern over a really effective pain killer, albeit I think absolutely essential.

Levofloxacin – best broad-spectrum antibiotic, Amoxicillin for teeth problems and a useful general alternative

Antibiotic eye drops - Ciloxan

Vosol solution - swimmer's ear

Loperamide (Imodium-AD) - mild diarrhoea

Antimalarial drugs

Medical kit – thermometer, plasters, wound dressing, antibiotic cream, scissors, tape, suture, special plasters for fingers and feet, including small splints

Epinephrine kit

Sterile needle/syringes in case these are not available locally

Analgesics - such as ibuprofen and codeine for severe pain (codeine is a controlled drug). A really effective pain killer is important.

Antacids - Maalox or Mylanta.

Motion/sea sickness drugs - Stugeron

Antihistamine tablets - Zyrtec

Corticosteroid cream – Cortaid.
 
ip485 said:
This seemed a reasonable list to me to cover a range of possible problems and all straight forward to obtain from a good GP or private doctor, with the only possible concern over a really effective pain killer, albeit I think absolutely essential.

Levofloxacin – best broad-spectrum antibiotic, Amoxicillin for teeth problems and a useful general alternative

Antibiotic eye drops - Ciloxan

Vosol solution - swimmer's ear

Loperamide (Imodium-AD) - mild diarrhoea

Antimalarial drugs

Medical kit – thermometer, plasters, wound dressing, antibiotic cream, scissors, tape, suture, special plasters for fingers and feet, including small splints

Epinephrine kit

Sterile needle/syringes in case these are not available locally

Analgesics - such as ibuprofen and codeine for severe pain (codeine is a controlled drug). A really effective pain killer is important.

Antacids - Maalox or Mylanta.

Motion/sea sickness drugs - Stugeron

Antihistamine tablets - Zyrtec

Corticosteroid cream – Cortaid.
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Forgot suntan lotion.
 
ip485 said:
Levofloxacin – best broad-spectrum antibiotic, Amoxicillin for teeth problems and a useful general alternative
Antibiotic eye drops - Ciloxan
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What are the sources of infection?

Vosol solution - swimmer's ear
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Round these parts some might suggest mixing vinegar 50:50 with water...

Loperamide (Imodium-AD) - mild diarrhoea
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Case for using the codeine instead... Big believer in having dual uses. But this doesn't cause nausea or drowsiness

Epinephrine kit
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I'm struggling to understand why? I assume this is for anaphylaxis not cardiac arrest.

Assuming you haven't got an anaphylactic person on board... Why? In case of an unknown allergy? Which you will now identify as an allergy. Treat and 20 minutes later be back at square 1?

Antacids - Maalox or Mylanta.
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Better are available
Motion/sea sickness drugs - Stugeron
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I like Stugeron. But hyoscine patches have the advantage they don't need you not to be spewing your guts up not to be absorbed.

Antihistamine tablets - Zyrtec
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Long acting, low drowsy branded crap.
Take some chlorphenamine. More effective. Does cause drowsiness. But not like you will need to have it daily on board because you presumably have no pollen...

That was all a very brandy list... Don't waste money on brands.



Sharky34 said:
My local pharmacy, stated that they cannot issue a prescription if you have 7 days existing stuff left.
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Your pharmacy doesn't set that rule. Or at least they shouldn't.

But no sensible supply chain is using the pharmacy to order the supply.
 
ShinyShoe said:
What are the sources of infection?


Round these parts some might suggest mixing vinegar 50:50 with water...


Case for using the codeine instead... Big believer in having dual uses. But this doesn't cause nausea or drowsiness


I'm struggling to understand why? I assume this is for anaphylaxis not cardiac arrest.

Assuming you haven't got an anaphylactic person on board... Why? In case of an unknown allergy? Which you will now identify as an allergy. Treat and 20 minutes later be back at square 1?


Better are available

I like Stugeron. But hyoscine patches have the advantage they don't need you not to be spewing your guts up not to be absorbed.


Long acting, low drowsy branded crap.
Take some chlorphenamine. More effective. Does cause drowsiness. But not like you will need to have it daily on board because you presumably have no pollen...

That was all a very brandy list... Don't waste money on brands.




Your pharmacy doesn't set that rule. Or at least they shouldn't.

But no sensible supply chain is using the pharmacy to order the supply.
Click to expand...

Thank you some great suggestions.


ip485 said:
This seemed a reasonable list to me to cover a range of possible problems and all straight forward to obtain from a good GP or private doctor, with the only possible concern over a really effective pain killer, albeit I think absolutely essential.

Levofloxacin – best broad-spectrum antibiotic, Amoxicillin for teeth problems and a useful general alternative

Antibiotic eye drops - Ciloxan

Vosol solution - swimmer's ear

Loperamide (Imodium-AD) - mild diarrhoea

Antimalarial drugs

Medical kit – thermometer, plasters, wound dressing, antibiotic cream, scissors, tape, suture, special plasters for fingers and feet, including small splints

Epinephrine kit

Sterile needle/syringes in case these are not available locally

Analgesics - such as ibuprofen and codeine for severe pain (codeine is a controlled drug). A really effective pain killer is important.

Antacids - Maalox or Mylanta.

Motion/sea sickness drugs - Stugeron

Antihistamine tablets - Zyrtec

Corticosteroid cream – Cortaid.
Click to expand...

Thank you some really helpful comments.

Epinephrine for jelly fish, and other marine venom which could prove seriously life threatening. Not sure what other emergency treat might resolve this better.
 
My experience of living aboard in more remote locations and enjoying the sea, is that aside from injury on board, the biggest risk of ill health is interaction with the sea and coast, be it ear and eye infections (snorkelling, diving), being stung, fire coral, jelly fish, mosquitos, etc and various infections from the water. Scrapes and cuts tend to very easily become infected and slow to heal.
 
Sharky34 said:
My local pharmacy, stated that they cannot issue a prescription if you have 7 days existing stuff left.
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That’s their local rule. Anyway, how do they know what supplies you’ve got left? I’d be telling them to sling their hook and taking my business elsewhere if they threatened that nonsense. . (And it is business: they get paid per scrip’ IIRC. )
 
BobnLesley said:
No idea with regard to your ongoing prescription needs, but in the expectation that your route to the S Atlantic will take you via the canary Islands, then for an antibiotic reserve, malaria prophylactics and things like yellow fever/rabies jabs, you'll obtain those much more easily and at a fraction of the UK costs from the Seaman's Clinic in Las Palmas.
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Yes Azores, Madeira and Canaries are likely to feature however I was considering going down to Chile. I was thinking that there are unlikely to be many Doctors or Pharmacies in the most remote areas. That said, I did read that, whilst in the Patagonian 'canals' visiting yachts are obliged to check in with the Chilean Navy twice a day. If they have a presence there, I am sure they could and would assist in any emergency situation, medical or otherwise.
 
dansaskip said:
Well I beg to differ I just got 3 months supply 1 week ago.
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Indeed - I just got all mine increased to 3 months supply after just a conversation with the doctor. There is absolutely no NHS 1 month rule at the moment - I work in the NHS. However many GPs prefer the 1 month system to avoid extra costs early and to avoid wastage. Any reasonable doctor can be talked around for regular medicine which has been taken for a while.
 
Careful with morphine, in a number of countries it is definitely considered an illegal drug. A bit like having firearms or even a simple flare pistol, it may generate all sorts of hassle from local authorities.
 
I
Roberto said:
Careful with morphine, in a number of countries it is definitely considered an illegal drug. A bit like having firearms or even a simple flare pistol, it may generate all sorts of hassle from local authorities.
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I wouldn’t even consider it worth the hassle being a controlled drug and all the rules and regulations that go with it even in hospitals etc.

W.
 
I
john_morris_uk said:
I understand your sentiments but the problem is that for the right circumstances it’s a brilliant drug. Just eat a tin of prunes a day whenever you take opiates...!
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I get that - I was one of the first local paramedics trained to use it on the road.

There was an alternative I think other services were using but I can’t remember what it was.

I know there is at least one current paramedic here who can probably give an idea of the current protocols.

But also a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing....

W
 
The only painkiller as effective as morphine is Entonox, the mixture of NO and O2. Although the practicalities of carrying this on a boat probably rule it out, it would be the ideal thing to take for emergencies. I can remember the relief it gave me when the ambulance man gave it to me when I had a disc prolapse. Morphine was also fairly effective, and the thought of facing the risk of severe injury or disease without relief is a bit alarming.
 
PilotWolf said:
I

I get that - I was one of the first local paramedics trained to use it on the road.

There was an alternative I think other services were using but I can’t remember what it was.

I know there is at least one current paramedic here who can probably give an idea of the current protocols.

But also a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing....

W
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Our first AID course covered the use of morphine as the top level of a three-stage analgesic package - but it also assumed that you would be days from assistance, with perhaps a doctor advising on HF radio! The general advice was that you didn't give it unless a doctor told you to. However, we were operating in Antarctica where the rules were pretty much what my organization said they were - I'm sure there is more complex legislation about the exact legal framework, but as the local magistrate was our base commander..... But Antarctica must have the lowest crime rate of anywhere.
 
Entonox was the basic pain relief in the service but I thought there was another IV drug? Not ketamine but something else. I don’t have any of my paramedic stuff here so can’t look it up.

W

johnalison said:
The only painkiller as effective as morphine is Entonox, the mixture of NO and O2. Although the practicalities of carrying this on a boat probably rule it out, it would be the ideal thing to take for emergencies. I can remember the relief it gave me when the ambulance man gave it to me when I had a disc prolapse. Morphine was also fairly effective, and the thought of facing the risk of severe injury or disease without relief is a bit alarming.
Click to expand...
 
RupertW said:
Indeed - I just got all mine increased to 3 months supply after just a conversation with the doctor. There is absolutely no NHS 1 month rule at the moment - I work in the NHS. However many GPs prefer the 1 month system to avoid extra costs early and to avoid wastage. Any reasonable doctor can be talked around for regular medicine which has been taken for a while.
Click to expand...

We were given our three months supplies last week without asking, just normal script repeat.
 
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