What drugs

7 day course of broad spectrum anti-biotics and some morphine would seem sensible if you're away from land for a while.

Not that they sell 'em in Boots last time I looked! :p
 
7 day course of broad spectrum anti-biotics and some morphine would seem sensible if you're away from land for a while.

Not that they sell 'em in Boots last time I looked! :p

Only obtainable in the UK if you can persuade a doctor to prescribe them. I guess you may be able to get them if you can show that you could be out of reach of medical care.
 
Only obtainable in the UK if you can persuade a doctor to prescribe them. I guess you may be able to get them if you can show that you could be out of reach of medical care.

Where there's a will there's a way. I would imagine most yacht clubs have at least one understanding GP as a member! ;)
 
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>I guess you may be able to get them if you can show that you could be out of reach of medical care.

Yes that's correct except you have to say 'will be' and for how long. We said up to four weeks and that we could get medical advice via SSB and had done a first aid course. We got a small pharmacy some on prescription and others we had to pay full price for.

Don't carry Morphine it is illegal in many places. There is a painkiller almost equivalent to Morphine. If shorthanded explain to the doc that you may have to operate the boat with (say) a broken arm.
 
Also worth having a word with your toothwright to get some antibiotics for tooth abcess problems.

I would also add ibuprofen to deal with various inflamatory pains, and anti allergy and anti insect bite stuff.

Also do not expect to top up with over the counter drugs overseas at UK prices, your eyes will water at the cost in some places.

Also make sure you have plenty of any prescription drugs you need and a route for obtaining more. Letters from your doc may also be helpful. UI was also given a copy of my post op cardiogram in case of any future problems so what ever quack I was dealing with had a before as well as the obvious after.
 
You may find that your GP will prescribe for you but not your crew.. There is a legal way to have prescription drugs on the boat under control of the skipper. PM me and I will let you know how.
 
There's a form in the back of an MC&A publication to requisition drugs for use on a boat. And a list of drugs you should have.
 
You can get loadsa stuff over the counter, cheaply, in Spain.

The Small Commercial Vessel code of practice is available to look at on line, MCA website.

Good reccommends there for suitable items.

Good idea to get up to date on a first aid course for seagoers.
 
Another thing to have is Flamzene cream for burns. Wrap the burnt area in clingfilm which is sterile out of the pack as is kitchen roll.

These are the antibiotics we carry - note the inflamed appendicitis combination which gives you two days to get to a hospital; the alternative antibiotic if the first one doesn't work; and the targetting of the antibiotics.

Amoxycillin 500mg x 42 One three times per day (broad spectrum penicillin, including dental abscess, blood poisoning)

Augmentin (suppression of appendicitis used with Metronidazole. Also for bites and stings) 625mg x 42 -. take one 3 times per day.

Ciprofloxacin 500mg x 28 – take one twice daily (strong, broad spectrum, use if first doesn’t work. Kidney, prostate, chest, stomach, blood poisoning)

Tiloryth Erythromycin 250mg x 30 (broad spectrum, including teeth, wounds, stomach and bladder) One four times a day.

Metronidazole (suppression of appendicitis used with Augmentin) 400mg x 42 - take one 3 times per day.

Trimethoprim 200mg x 28 One twice a day and keep going for five to seven days (Infection of the bladder, urinary tract, cystitis; Infections of the organs associated with breathing, including nasal passages, sinuses, windpipe and lungs)

PAINKILLERS AND ANTI INFLAMMATORY

Ketoprofen suppositories 100mg x 100 One when required. (nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory for arthritis, pain and muscle pain)
Dicloflex Diclofenac tablets75mg x 28 One twice a day after food (strong nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, can combine with Paracetamol or Opioid)
Voltarol Diclofenac suppositories 100mg x 30 One daily

Paracetamol 500mg tablets x 100
Migraleve tablets 4 packs of pink and yellow mixed
Soluble aspirin tablets x 32 tablets
Co-proxamol x 200 Two four times a day if required (dextropropoxythene and paracetamol, max 8 per day)
Solpadol x 100 One four times a day if required (paracetamol and codeine phosphate)
Tylex 500+30mg x 50 One or two four times a day (co-codamol i.e. 30mg codeine and 500mg paracetomol)
Xylocaine spray 500 dose unit (local anaesthetic)
Xylocaine and adrenalin injectable 5 x 20 vials (local anaesthetic, must NOT be injected in vein)
Zydol soluble 100mg x 30, One every 6 hours (tramadol hydrochloride which is an opioid analgesic or painkiller, for moderate to severe pain).
Zydol injectable 1 box ampoules

Thesse are the skin things we carry:
Germoline plastic skin 2 bottles
Calamine cream x 2 50gm
Anthisan cream 2 x 25gm tubes
Aloe vera gel 1 250ml
Solarcaine spray 2 cans
1% Hydrocortisone cream 2 1-oz tubes
Zinc oxide 2 1-oz tubes
Arnica cream (bruises) 2 tubes
Piriton allergy tablets
Friars Balsam 2 x 50ml (use to paint skin before strapping)
Granuflex sterile gel pads (place against ulcer or burn and bandage, removes gunge)
2nd skin non-sterile artificial fat (place against friction burn or graze)
Artificial fat (place gel against ulcer or burn and bandage)
Zovirax (cold sores and verrucae – skin ridge goes round verrucae and through corn)
Deep Heat 2 tubes.
Viscostat in applicator/syringes (stops bleeding, also for dental use)
Cicatrin powder 50g x 2 Apply 4 times per day 7 days max (antibiotic for burns, abrasions, cuts)
Fucidin ointment 2 packs Apply twice a day (antibiotic for bacterial infection).
Lamisil cream x 20p Apply twice a day (antifungal for athletes foot, itchy groin, ring worm)

STOMACH AND BOWEL

Rennies x 2 packs
Ranitidine (Zantac) 150mg x 30 tablets
Kaolin and morphine mixture 100ml
Loperamide (immodium) i.e.Arret capsules 3 cartons (30)
Sennokot tablets x 40
Buscopan tablets 10mg x 40 Two four times a day (antispasmodic)

BONES (FRACTURES)

Fucidin 250mg x 40 Two four times per day (antibiotic, also for blood poisoning, skin and wound infectios)

CHEST AND LUNGS

Codein linctus x 2 bottles
Ventmax Salbutamol MR capsules 4mg x 28 One twice a day (opens airways)
Epipen x 2 (Life threatening allergic/ anaphylactic reaction. NB Accidental injection into the hands or feet may result in loss of blood flow to the affected area and should be avoided. If there is an accidental injection into these areas, emergency treatment should be sought. The contents of the glass cartridge in the Auto-injector should be periodically checked to ensure that the solution is clear and colourless. Auto-injectors should ONLY be injected into the side of the thigh. Do NOT inject into the buttocks.

EAR

See also Eye treatments - Sofradex See also Eye treatments – Chloramphenicol
Otosporin ear drops 5mls x 6 Two to three drops three times per day and keep going for five days (steroid/antibiotic for bacterial infection of outer ear)

EYE, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT

Optrex solution 110ml
Brolene drops x 4
Chloramphenicol drops minims x 20 One drop four times a day and must keep going for 5 days (antibiotic for bacterial infection of eye or outer ear)
Amethocaine eye drops minims x 20 (local anaesthetic)
Sofradex eye drops x 6 One drop three times a day (steroid/antibiotic for treating inflammation of eye or outer ear. Do NOT use for Eye conditions producing pus; Fungal infections of the eye; Inflammation of the front of the eye (cornea) or the membrane lining the eye (conjunctiva) due to the herpes simplex virus (herpetic keratitis); Otitis externa in people with a perforated eardrum; Tuberculosis infection affecting the eye)
Otrivine nasal spray 2 x 10ml
Boxer’s plug (stop nose bleed)
Strepsils 2 x 24
Bonjela x 2
Oil of cloves 1 bottle.
Dequadin lozenges 20
Dentanurse dental kits x 2
Corsodil dental gel x 2
Glycerine and thymol pastilles 1 pack

OTHER

Dioralyte 2 boxes
Anusol haemorrhoid cream 2 tubes.
KY jelly



If anybody wants the 'hardware' list we carry such as inflatable splints please let me know and I'll post it. Obviously the list is for long distance cruising a shorter list would be fine for holiday cruising if away from doctors/pharmacy.
 
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KellysEye & Maxi77 have it pretty well taped; I might suggest the obvious high factor sun-block, and I have found Savlon dry spray excellent for treating small burns from cookers etc.

Co-Drydramol is a good - prescription - pain killer but causes constipation, as can seasickness ! So Movicol laxative is handy along with it.

I'd be careful about the rules in places likely to be visited ( including possible emergency diversions ) as some places are very strict with unpleasant penalties if they consider one naughty.

Stugeron anti-sea sickness pills work well on most but I have seen it render 2 people virtually comatose, short handed in a gale or worse would not be the time to find out.

As mentioned, Diarolyite ( I never spell that correctly ! Ask for it in a pharmacy, 4 sachets per box so at least 2 boxes on board allowing for 'loss' through sickness, but don't overdo it ) sachets of electrolyte / salts to replenish the body after seasickness can be a godsend.

I'd also just mention, the type of mineral water bottles with a teat one can suck are very useful aboard, especially for seasick people; also space blankets...
 
If you are taking anything other than the basics I would suggest that you obtain a copy of something like the British National Formality which lists dosages, contra indications, etc. for all the drugs available in the UK.

And a copy of the Ship's Captains Medical guide - downloadable from the MCA site, Iphone app or buy at about £25.00.

A little knowledge is a very dangerous thing where drugs are concerned and the temptation to try something is high if it is there and available.

W.
 
I forgot to mention a 'hygienic re-breather' tube for serious CPR, especially if dealing with people whose history one doesn't know ( Aids etc ) is a good idea, I've done a couple of First Aid courses when these were recommended, they're standard issue for Paramedics; but when I asked in a large Boots I received a look as if I'd asked for a laser from Mars, so good luck !

A First Aid course would be a good idea for all concerned ( remember if there's just one qualified person, what happens when they are the one to have an accident ).

My club had the bright idea of having a very pretty girl as the subject for the CPR lessons; I was trampled in the rush... :)
 
Maybee not to clever, but if you know someone going to Greece on holiday, the standard antibiotics are available over the counter. I got 3x1week courses of Amoxycillin last time we were on flotilla. Then my mum & dad nicked them when they got a chest infection!
 
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