Travel Medication

Question 1

Common Health Concerns when Abroad

Answer 1

• diarrhoea
• motion sickness
• minor ailments
• sunburn
• insect bites
• malaria

Question 2

Types of products that can be recommended

Answer 2

• medicines for minor ailments
• personal care
• surgicals
• lifestyles

Question 3

What are some medicines for minor ailments

Answer 3

• cough and cold
• fever and pain
• gastrointestinal

Question 4

What are some personal care to recommend

Answer 4

sunscreens

moisturisers

Question 5

What are some surgicals to recommend

Answer 5

• masks
• plasters
• pill boxes
• first aid kits

Question 6

medications for insect bites

Answer 6

• mopiko

- tiger balm

Question 7

medication for sunscreen

Answer 7

lotion/creams with SPF

Question 8

medication for insect repellants

Answer 8

• patch, spray
• citronella oil
• DEET

Question 9

drugs for pain and fever

Answer 9

panadol

Question 10

Drugs for fever

Answer 10

• paracetamol

Question 11

Medication for diarrhoea

Answer 11

• activated charcoal
• lacteol Fort
• Co-phenotrope
• loperamide
• oral rehydration salts

Question 12

Things to note when counselling patients on products/medication

Answer 12

• dosing regimen (when to stop/take)
• storage conditions
• common side effects
• special instructions for malaria
• sharing of medication
• quantity of medication

Question 13

Physical findings of Malaria in the person

Answer 13

• elevated temps
• perspiration
• weakness
• increased respiratory rate
• mild jaundice

Question 14

symptoms of Malaria

Answer 14

• fever
• headache
• chills
• sweats
• nausea and vomitting

Question 15

risk factors of malaria

Answer 15

• not using protective measures
• living or travelling in a country where malaria is present
• age
• pregnancy

Question 16

Medication for Malaria

Answer 16

Antimalarial drugs
Malarone
Doxycycline

Question 17

Antimalarial drugs

Answer 17

chloroquine

mefloquine

Question 18

Dosing for Chloroquine

Answer 18

PO 310mg (tablet) or 300ml (syrup) once weekly

start 1 week before and 4 weeks after

Question 19

Common side effects of chloroquine

Answer 19

headache

itch

Question 20

Contraindication of chloroquine

Answer 20

• impaired visual field
• G6PD deficiency
• psoriasis
• epilepsy

Question 21

Counselling points for chloroquine

Answer 21

• take with food to reduce upset stomach

- take on the same day each week

Question 22

Can chloroquine be used in pregnancy and breast feeding?

Answer 22

yes

Question 23

Dosing for Mefloquine

Answer 23

PO 250mg once weekly

start 2-3 weeks before and 4 weeks after

Question 24

Can mefloquine be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Answer 24

yes

Question 25

Common side effects of mefloquine

Answer 25

- insomnia - abnormal dreams - emotional disturbances - ECG changes

Question 26

counselling points of mefloquine

Answer 26

- take with a glass of water - take on the same day each week - may affect performance of skilled task e.g driving

Question 27

Dosing for malarone

Answer 27

PO 1 tablet OD start 1-2 days before and 1 week after

Question 28

Can Malarone be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Answer 28

pregnancy: if benefits to the mother outweighs the risk to the fetus breastfeeding: no

Question 29

common side effects

Answer 29

abdominal pain

Question 30

Counselling points for Malarone

Answer 30

take with food or milk based drink at the same time each day

Question 31

Dosing for Doxycycline

Answer 31

PO 100mg OD start 1-2 days before and 4 weeks after

Question 32

Does Doxycycline need a prescription

Answer 32

Yes

Question 33

Can Doxycycline be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Answer 33

Pregnancy: only first trimester breastfeeding: no

Question 34

Common side effects of doxycycline

Answer 34

- oesophageal injury - upper abdominal pain - photosensitivity

Question 35

Counselling points of Doxycycline

Answer 35

- swallowed whole with plenty of fluid - taken with or soon after food - do not take medication with iron, calcium and zinc - avoid exposure to sunlight or sun lamps, applying sunblock

Question 36

Signs and Symptoms of threadworms

Answer 36

- itching of anal and vaginal area (may be intense) - sleeping difficulties and restlessness - prickling sensation in perianal area at night or early morning

Question 37

risk factors of threadworms

Answer 37

- children under 18 - people who take care of infected children - institutionalized people

Question 38

Pharmacological treatment for threadworms

Answer 38

Benzidazoles

Question 39

Drugs of Benzidazoles

Answer 39

- albendazole | - mebendazole

Question 40

Dosing for Albendazole

Answer 40

PO 400mg single dose, may repeat after 2 weeks children less than 2: PO 200mg single dose, may repeat dose after 3 weeks

Question 41

common side effects for Albendazole

Answer 41

headache | nausea & vomitting

Question 42

Contraindication for Albendazole

Answer 42

1st trimester of pregnancy

Question 43

Counselling points of Albendazole

Answer 43

- take on empty stomach | - hygienic measures should be taken

Question 44

Dosing for Mebendazole

Answer 44

PO 100mg single dose may repeat after 2 weeks

Question 45

Side effects for Mebendazole

Answer 45

abdominal pain

Question 46

Contraindication for Mebendazole

Answer 46

1st trimester of pregnancy

Question 47

Counselling points for Mebendazole

Answer 47

- Take with or without food - hygenic measures to be taken - all members of family should be treated

Question 48

Non-pharm methods for threadworms

Answer 48

- Practice handwashing techniques | - laundry should be cleaned thoroughly and regularly