General Antibiotic To Keep When Travelling

woodstock99

I have read in some posts the suggestion of having an antibiotic with you when traveling just in case and was wondering which one would be good to have if needed. My travel is increasing and I want to ask my PCP for a prescription. Thanks

ChiSandy

Well, because of chronic sinus issues and asthma, I always traveled with a Z-Pak (azithromycin) and a Medrol (prednisone) dosepak. But then I had a couple of arrhythmic episodes on the Z-Pak, so my doc changed my prophy abx to Keflex. (I’m allergic to penicillin, but oddly, not to Keflex). But last week, a small skin biopsy incision wound began to ooze yellow, and was cultured 3+ for MRSA. Keflex doesn’t work on it, so I am now on doxycycline for it (the derm says it’s superficial and that plus strict antiseptic bandage changes should knock it out). And obviously, with any active infection, systemic steroids are a no-no. (Can still use my Nasacort inhaler and cortisone ointment on the irritation from bandage adhesive). When I travel to Italy next month (hopefully, pending resolution of this stupid infection and results of my first annual post-op mammo tomorrow), I will be packing BOTH antibiotics. But no Medrol.

woodstock99

Thanks ChiSandy.

hugz4u

keflex is what I carry 500mg, have not had to use it yet. Will put my older one in earthquake kit and new one is for travel and emerg. New doc was happy to give it to me, old doc laughed at me when I requested it saying I wouldn't get cellulitis.fired old doc, well I just quit going to him.

A lot of people including my therapist suggest bacterim (not sure of spelling) instead of polysporin when dressing wounds.

Chi sandy, I really hope you can go to Italy.its such a beauty of a place

vlnrph

I had a vial of doxycycline with me for a couple years when going by air but now don't bother packing it for regional car travel. My internist was fine with prescribing since I did have an episode of folliculitis and I will probably get a fresh supply when we do a more extensive trip. Maybe I can crawl into one of ChiSandy's suitcases & go to Italy!

Plain bacitracin is often a good topical option to keep on hand, without the polymixin ingredient. Neosporin is a triple antibiotic formula containing those two plus neomycin however some people are allergic to that component.

glennie19

I have Cipro,, just in case,,,,,

ChiSandy

Cipro used to be great for me--on a trip to China in 1994, when I started taking it for a sinus and bronchial infection, I was the only one in the tour group who never got any digestive upsets. But a couple of years later, I developed a micropapular rash on the insides of my forearms on day 7 of 10, so that one’s out of my arsenal for good. (Same thing happened to me on penicillin in 1962, so I didn’t try it again until I was in-hospital for an endometrial infection after premature rupture of membranes and a C-section in 1984; the docs figured that if I showed signs of anaphylaxis they could reverse it immediately via my IV. Sure enough, the day I was to be discharged, along came that amoxicillin rash). Bactrim (sulfa +trimethoprim) gave me a near-anaphylactic reaction (full-body flushing, skin burning, 104F fever) when I took it for walking pneumonia--so bad I had to go on a Benadryl drip to reverse it.

I would pack at least twice as many shelf-stable probiotic capsules (30-50 billion cells) as doses of antibiotic--take them along with the antibiotic and then for a week afterward, to restore normal gut flora and prevent overgrowth of yeasts or worse, even more dangerous bacteria such as c. diff.

woodstock99

On my way to Seattle for father-in-law's 80th birthday and taking Keflex with me along with neo & polysporin & bandaids. I took i Keflex after my BMX so know I can tolerate it if necessary. Thanks

tessu

Leaving soon for a week-long trip with my young adult son. My last chemo was 6 months ago, but I am still having toe nail problems, keep getting infections around them. Most of the time Betadine soaks and Fucidin ointment for a few days quiets things down, but I am also bringing Kefexin (which quieted the larger infection a couple months ago). Hoping Kefexin would work if my LE arm gets cellulitis? --- my fingernails are a fragile, broken, sometimes bloody mess (chemo-affected parts still not completely grown out), and I'm clumsy, so I'm a little bit worried.

glennie19

Tessu: Kefexin is the same thing as USA's Keflex. Should be good for skin infections!! Something to take right away until you can be seen, at least. Hope you don't need it and hope you have a good time !!

crystalphm

Keflex 500 mgs...I carry it all the time when I travel...for any LE possible problems but I have never had a problem.