Travelers medication? Going to Mexico...?

Question

I'm going to Mexico and have been advised to get travelers medication to help with upset stomach from the water in Mexico and food, etc. How do I go about getting this? Do I get a physical and let them know I'll be travelling there and go from there?

Answer 1

Some of these answers are quite outdated. A lot will depend on where you are going of course, but most in tourist destinations in Mexico (Like here in Mazatlan) all restaurants, all bars, have purified water. The water is safe, the ice is safe, the lettuce is safe. On the road in a roadside restaurant perhaps not. But the big hotels and restaurants and bars would be filled with body's if it were as bad as you hear.

You CAN have a problem from the fact that the bacteria in the water wherever you go is different from the bacteria in the water where you live. (EVERY place has bacteria, but your body is used to the bacteria at home) Pepto Bismal or Immodium will clear it up within hours should you have a problem.

Answer 2

I am surprised on the question and in the answers.

I didn't know you drink water from other than bottled water.

I'm mexican, I live here, I don't drink water unless it is from bottled water. It is just the normal here.

About your questio, you don´t need medication before comming, you need open your eyes once you are here, don't eat in dirty places, don't eat at the "street", look for clean places, indoors. That's all.

We, mexicans, do resist to many things you don't, but I have gotten sick (diarrhea) in US. Bacterias are differents, so defenses are diferentes, that's all.

Answer 3

No one drinks anything but bottled water here in Baja California. Trust your Margaritas. You can pick up bugs anywhere in food, be careful where and what you eat. Typical medications for stomach upset are widely available, a small bottle of Pepto runs three dollars US. There is no preventative option for gastro intestinal distress. Don't worry, be happy.

Answer 4

You dont need a physical.  I travel all the time to Mexico, and have never had any problems.  Just dont drink the water, and that includes ice.  Only drink from bottles.  Also, just bring along a supply of tums or immodium, although, you will see all the same products for sale there in every store and hotel.

Answer 5

Other answerers are correct.  there is no med you need to take before going to Mexico.  You are unlikely to have any problem.  If you are unfortunate, and have severe diarrhea, you can buy a med called OXAL without a prescription at any pharmacy.  You can also purchase lomotil without a prescription.  I also live in Mexico. The stories of getting sick in Mexico, I believe ,are a bit exaggetated, tho it does happen occasionally.

Answer 6

Be sure you've had a tetanus shot in the last few years (I hear anything from 5 to 10 years ...depending on who you listed to).  If you do get stomach/digestion problems, go to a farmacia - they're everywhere and they know what to recommend, or can send you to a doctor.

We DO eat street food (tacos in particular, but also grilled chicken) in Puerto Vallarta and towns to the north of there, and have NEVER been sick.

Most people get sick at All-Inclusives - the buffet food is left out too long sometimes.

Answer 7

ok, you don't need medication for the water because YOU SHOULDN'T DRINK THE WATER!!!!  EVER!  really, nobody drinks it.  they have plenty of bottled water for very cheap.

as far as the food....just bring some pepto...or buy it there.  the main reason people get upset stomach is because they eat too much, try too many spicy foods, or they are just nervous from the trip.

you don't need anything special (examinations, shots, or otherwise) in order to go to mexico.

Answer 8

that is unnecessary, I live in Mexico 15 years no problem at all ...

Drink bottle water, and you can have regular ice is not a problem, now you don't say were you are going, if you're going to a city, you'll find everything you need ....

But If you are going to remote areas then you should take a first aid kit (just in case) and bottle water.