Latest news with #AshleyODubhain
Dublin Live
30-06-2025
- Health
- Dublin Live
Pharmacist shares six medications you should pack before going on holiday
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Packing for a holiday abroad can be a bit of a headache. It's easy to remember the basics like clothes and toiletries, but what about those unexpected situations? Planning for every possible scenario isn't always simple, and sometimes you might find yourself needing something that's not readily at hand. According to one pharmacist, there are certain medicines you should think about packing from home to avoid any unnecessary stress while on holiday. Irish Pharmacist Ashley O Dubhain, also known as Ash the Pharmacist on social media platforms, revealed that he often gets asked "in the summer months" which medicines people should pack. While he reassures holidaymakers not to "freak out", as chemists will be available at their destination, he does suggest six items to consider based on his "own experience" and knowledge of what's available overseas. If you're heading to a destination with a hotter and more humid climate than you're used to, Ashley suggests packing some electrolytes, regardless of the brand. Electrolytes are vital for maintaining fluid balance and ensuring muscles and nerves function properly. As we lose electrolytes through sweat, it's important to replenish the sodium lost, especially if you're sweating heavily. Furthermore, he recommends bringing along an antihistamine such as Zirtek, Telfast, Clarityn or any other brand that suits your body. Ashley emphasised the virtues of a widely advocated remedy: "This will be good for insect bites but also if you take a reaction to food or the sun, for example. It can help with that heat rash." Ashley also underscored for those jet-setters not quite up to snuff with exotic nosh, to keep Imodium handy, an indispensable over-the-counter fix to rapidly quell the runs and "stop" any untoward results. For treating insect bites, Ashley's go-to is often prescribing Fucibet, but you can get hydrocortisone cream over-the-counter, such as Cortopin. However, Ashley cautions: "Ask your pharmacist if you're allowed to take it, as not everyone is. If steroid creams aren't suitable for you, you can get some Anthisan cream." You can also consider taking some probiotics, and start taking them for a few weeks before you go away, especially if it's somewhere where you "know the food and the water could make you sick". Probiotics are thought to help restore the natural balance and bacteria in your gut, according to the NHS. Lastly, he recommends bringing some painkillers such as paracetamol, Panadol, Nurofen or ibuprofen. It's important to speak to your doctor or a pharmacist if you're unsure before taking any medication, as what's suitable for others might not be for you.
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Pharmacist says there are six medications you should pack on holiday
Pharmacist Ashley O Dubhain has shared the six medications he always packs when travelling abroad - and that you should too Preparing for an overseas holiday can often lead to a packing conundrum. While the essentials like clothing and toiletries are no-brainers, it's the unforeseen circumstances that can catch you off guard. It's not easy to anticipate every need, and there may be times when you're caught short without something essential. One pharmacist has highlighted a few key medicines to pack from home to ensure a stress-free vacation. Irish Pharmacist Ashley O Dubhain, known as Ash the Pharmacist on social media, notes that he's frequently asked "in the summer months" about essential travel medicines. He advises travellers not to panic, reminding them that pharmacies will be available at their destination, but he does recommend six particular items based on his "own experience" and understanding of what might be harder to find abroad. For those travelling to hotter, more humid climates, Ashley emphasises the importance of bringing electrolytes with you, and it doesn't matter about the brand. Electrolytes play a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance and supporting muscle and nerve function. Since we lose electrolytes through perspiration, it's critical to replace the sodium lost, particularly if you're prone to heavy sweating. Additionally, he suggests packing an antihistamine such as Zirtek, Telfast, Clarityn, or whichever brand you prefer. Ashley highlighted the benefits of a popular treatment, saying: "This will be good for insect bites but also if you take a reaction to food or the sun, for example. It can help with that heat rash." For those travelling and unaccustomed to foreign cuisine, Ashley suggests keeping Imodium at hand, a crucial over-the-counter remedy to swiftly halt diarrhoea and "stop" any adverse effects. When it comes to insect stings, Ashley often recommends Fucibet, but hydrocortisone cream is available without prescription, such as Cortopin. Yet, Ashley warns: "Ask your pharmacist if you're allowed to take it, as not everyone is. If steroid creams aren't suitable for you, you can get some Anthisan cream." Considering probiotics is another tip from Ashley; start them a few weeks before your trip, particularly if you're heading somewhere the "know the food and the water could make you sick". Probiotics are thought to help restore the natural balance and bacteria in your gut, according to the NHS. Lastly, he recommends bringing some painkillers such as paracetamol, Panadol, Nurofen or ibuprofen. It's important to speak to your doctor or a pharmacist if you're unsure before taking any medication, as what's suitable for others might not be for you.
