Must-Have Medicines for Tourists Travelling to India

🧳 Packing a small travel medical kit is essential for any trip to India. Here’s a list of recommended medications, with generic drug names and popular Indian brands for reference.

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Pro Tip for Tourists

Indian pharmacies (chemists) are widely available and most common medicines are sold over the counter at very affordable prices. Knowing the generic drug name helps you find the right medicine even if a specific brand isn’t available.

💊 Essential Travel Medicines for India

🤕 Pain Relief

Generic: Paracetamol

Crocin Pabin Combiflam

✅ Headaches, body aches, fever

🚽 Diarrhoea

Generic: Loperamide

Imodium AD Endodiar

✅ Short-term relief of diarrhoea (not for prolonged use)

💧 Rehydration

Generic: Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS)

Electrolyte Powder Enerzal

✅ Replenish fluids & electrolytes lost due to diarrhoea

🔥 Indigestion / Heartburn

Generic: Antacids

Gelusil Eno Digene

✅ Relief from indigestion, heartburn & acid reflux

🤧 Allergies

Generic: Cetirizine (non-drowsy)

Levocetirizine Cetrizine

✅ Allergies, runny nose, itching (non-drowsy option)

🌿 Allergies

Generic: Loratadine (less drowsy)

Claritin Lotad

✅ Allergies, runny nose, itching (less drowsy option)

🤒 Cold & Flu

Generic: Phenylephrine & Chlorpheniramine

Vicks Action 500 Coldarin

✅ Congestion, runny nose, sneezing — may cause drowsiness

🌡️ Cold & Flu

Generic: Paracetamol & Phenylephrine

P Cold Actifed Cold

✅ Reduce fever, relieve congestion — may cause drowsiness

🚌 Motion Sickness

Generic: Meclizine

Avomine Meclizine

✅ Prevent nausea & vomiting during travel

🏷️ Popular Indian Brands of Common Medicines

A quick brand-name cheat-sheet for your pharmacy visit.

#	Generic Drug Name	Popular Indian Brands
1	Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)	Dolo 650 Crocin Calpol
2	Ibuprofen	Combiflam Brufen
3	Antidiarrheal (Loperamide)	Imodium Lopamide
4	Antacid (Calcium Carbonate)	Gelusil Digene
5	Antihistamine (Cetirizine)	Cetzine Zyrtec
6	Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)	Electral Pedialyte
7	Antiseptic Cream (Betadine)	Betadine Povidone-Iodine
8	Motion Sickness (Dimenhydrinate)	Avomine Draminate
9	Sunscreen	Sunban Photostable
10	Insect Repellent (DEET-based)	Odomos Good Knight

📋 Additional Considerations

💼 Prescription Medications: If you have any ongoing medical conditions and require prescription medication, bring an adequate supply for your trip. Ensure you carry a doctor’s note mentioning the medications and their purpose.
🦠 Stomach Issues: Probiotics can help maintain gut health and prevent traveller’s diarrhea.
🩹 Wounds & Insect Bites: Basic first-aid supplies like antiseptic wipes, bandages, and sting relief cream are recommended.

⚠️ ITT Caution

This list is for general guidance only. Consult your doctor for personalized advice based on your health and travel itinerary (especially if travelling to remote areas).
Double-check the import regulations for medications into India. Some medications may require a doctor’s note or special permission.
Pack all medications in their original labelled containers for ease of identification.

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