Packing your medicine kit?

I don't know of any doctors around here who would give you zithromax to carry "just in case". It's a powerful antibiotic that shouldn't be used unless it's the appropriate drug for the illness (which a non-doctor would not know). Misuse/overuse of antibiotics leads to the development of "super-bug" strains of illnesses that are resistant to antibiotics in general.

I don't know how much of that I would want to bring to Europe versus a third world country.

Regarding the antibiotic ...

While I doubt that a doctor would give you an antibiotic "just in case" for Europe, they likely would if you were traveling somewhere without convenient access to medical care. When I went to Africa, the doctor at the travel clinic had me take Cipro along "just in case". I never needed it (thankfully).

Cate, I agree that Europe is not like a Third World country as far as available medical care. But I do carry most of the things on that list. If I'm hit with gastritis or something else at 2 a.m. in a foreign country, I don't want to have to be out looking for an open pharmacy -- and hoping that I can find something that works for me.

While I am horrified at the casual use of over-the-counter medications in America, I DO suggest that you bring along a few things you usually count on, whatever that might be! Tylenol, Immodium, whatever.
In Europe you have to buy these things in an Apotheke, they are NOT available in a supermarkt or drug store, and Europeans have a different approach altogether to medication, they will often recommend hot-water bottles and tea instead of drugs, in matter of fact, they have a rather deep mistrust of chemically based medications. Charming and wonderful, but maybe not good when you need something in the middle of the night in a foreign country!
I have had many American friends visit, and based on a few experiences, this is what I recommend them to do as well!

I always bring my own stuff. I have never brought antibiotics before, but then again I have never travelled to a remote or third world country.
I find it easy to get over the counter medicines in Europe, but, since the pharacist usually does speak a bit of english and can recommend a box, I hate that all instructions are generally in a language I can't understand well, or can only barely make out.
Also I find I invariably need whatever I need at 4 am. LOL

For travelers to Europe (the good doctor was talking about travel in general, not just Europe), most of those recommendations are sensible, except the zithromax. Oral antibiotics are useless, and potentially harmful, for most of the causes of diarrhea that a traveler to Europe would likely contract. There are exceptions, of course, but if the diarrhea is bad enough to require an antibiotic, you should probably see a doctor anyway.

and should it come to that, to having to see a doctor, you will be in good hands in Europe! :-)))

Sounds like what every hypochondriac should have with them at all times.

Except for sunscreen, which I routinely use for bicycling at this altitude, I have only used two of those item (bandaids and aspirin), and those rarely, here at home, in this country, in the last 20 (maybe more) years.

I am against the use of the meds and I only take antibiotics, when I need to , or cold medicine over-the-counter when the cold is very bad, especially in the first 3-4 days, after that I drink hot teas and eat citrics.It works well on me.
When I travel I usually carry band-aids and cold medicine, but the list that Dr. RW provided in that article is too long. I don't carry Insect Repellent, unless In go to a country where I really need it, but usually it would in Asia or Africa.

My husband and I both got sick on our trip this spring -- I needed Zithromax (respiratory), and he needed Cipro (gastroenteritis). Luckily I knew what to ask for and was able to obtain each med easily enough. Our vacation would have been made much worse without the easy availability of these meds at the pharmacies in France. I would, however, be surprised if my physician at home would prescribe such meds for me "just in case".