What medicines should we take with us?

[Terri]

Hi we were wondering what medicines we should take with us in case of emergencies.

[HuskyNerd]

There are lots of opinions on this, but my preference (from 2 Caminos) is simply a small, hiking First Aid kit. Some people take extra painkillers (available everywhere in Spain if you need them) and stuff for stomach upset (also available everywhere). Some travelers like to take antibiotics for diarrhea, but that's a pretty big hammer and it may be best to see a Doc first prior to treating bad diarrhea on your own. Not sure where you're from, but the biggest Camino medical issues are a) blisters and b) sore muscles. The blisters have multiple treatments Cyber Pilgrimage to Santiago: Two Handy Treatments for Blistered Feet and the sore muscles work themselves out after a few days. After that, the primary concerns are digestive . . . . otherwise not much needs for medicines beyond your normal prescriptions.

[danabagg]

there are wonderful pharmacies along the way & the people who work there are very helpful. You go in, tell them your ailment & they've got something for you. I took all sorts of stuff & ended up dumping it. I bought things if & as I needed them. I will, however, take lots of Advil.

[renegade_pilgrim]

Take a foot care kit. You should pick up some Compeed at the beginning of your walk and as soon as you feel a hotspot, put it on there. Get the variety pack. Yes, there are pharmacies all over, however, they vary in what they carry, so if there is something you think you are going to want/need, bring it. I spent a week looking for sport tape to wrap my foot for plantar fasciitis that I developed. Not fun. It was hard for me to explain what was going on and what I needed. I would also bring a bottle of either Advil or Alleve or some other NSAID. If you would like a list of stuff to bring, PM me.

[danabagg]

if you're allergic to latex, can you use the Compeed?