Essential Medications for Traveling in China

Hello everyone! I’m Lily Wang, a mom living in Shanghai. I frequently travel with my family to family-friendly destinations. My biggest concern during our travels is ensuring safety, convenience, and comfort for my loved ones. Today, I want to share some over-the-counter (OTC) medications that are easily accessible in China, which can help manage common ailments while traveling.

Disclaimer

Medicinal products in China undergo strict market approval, making pharmacies, including those by the roadside, reliable places for purchases. The medications listed below are recommended for their convenience, minimal side effects, and suitability for emergency use during travel. This guide is not a substitute for professional medical prescriptions. For severe symptoms, calling 120 (China’s emergency number) should be your first and highest priority. Pregnant women, infants, and women on their menstrual cycle should consult a doctor before using these OTC drugs as most labels in China provide specific advisories for these groups.

Common China Travel Ailments and Recommended Medications

Diarrhea After Eating Hot Pot

Chang Yan Ning Pian (Intestine Inflammation Relief Tablets) 肠炎宁片

• Purpose: For diarrhea caused by intestinal heat, abdominal pain, and bloating; also suitable for acute and chronic gastroenteritis in children.
• Chinese Name: 肠炎宁片
• Pinyin: Chang Yan Ning Pian
• Children Usage: Yes
• Price: 25 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side ones.
• Usage Guide: As per package directions—typically, 4 tablets per dose, taken 3 times daily after meals.

Meng Tuo Shi San (Montmorillonite Powder) 蒙脱石散

• Purpose: Acts as an intestinal protective layer to treat acute diarrhea from food poisoning or infections, and can also be used for chronic diarrhea due to non-infectious inflammation or poor small intestine absorption.
• Chinese Name: 蒙脱石散
• Pinyin: Meng Tuo Shi San
• Children Usage: Yes
• Price: 25 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side ones.
• Usage Guide: Package directions suggest 1 packet per dose, three times daily after meals, with a double dose for the first use.

Common Cold

999 Gan Mao Ling (999 Cold Relief) 999感冒灵

• Purpose: For mild cold symptoms such as headaches, fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat.
• Chinese Name: 999感冒灵
• Pinyin: 999 Gan Mao Ling
• Children Usage: Yes
• Price: 20 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side ones.
• Usage Guide: Dissolve in boiling water—10 grams per dose, three times daily.

Lian Hua Qing Wen (Lianhua Qingwen Capsules) 连花清瘟

• Purpose: Detoxifies and releases heat from the lungs. Used for influenza with symptoms like high fever, chills, muscle soreness, nasal congestion, cough, headache, dry and sore throat, and a red tongue with yellow coating.
• Chinese Name: 连花清瘟
• Pinyin: Lian Hua Qing Wen
• Children Usage: No
• Price: 30 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side ones.
• Usage Guide: Follow package instructions—typically, 4 capsules per dose, taken 3 times daily.

Heatstroke

Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Oral Liquid

• Purpose: A common remedy for heatstroke caused by external chills or internal dampness, typically resulting from exposure to cool environments, not heat.
• Chinese Name: 藿香正气口服液 (Not to be confused with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water)
• Pinyin: Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Kou Fu Ye
• Children Usage: Yes
• Price: 20 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side ones.
• Usage Guide: As indicated on the package; generally, take 5-10ml 30 minutes after meals, twice a day.

Mosquito Bites

Liu Shen Flower Dew

• Purpose: Repels mosquitoes and soothes itching from insect bites.
• Chinese Name: 六神花露水
• Pinyin: Liu Shen Hua Lu Shui
• Children Usage: Yes
• Price: 20 RMB
• Where to Buy: Convenience stores and street-side pharmacies.
• Usage Guide: Refer to the back of the package. Apply topically to the affected skin.

Oral Inflammation

Watermelon Frost

• Purpose: Used for oral ulcers and throat pain, this traditional Chinese medicine has cooling, detoxifying, and pain-relieving effects.
• Chinese Name: 西瓜霜
• Pinyin: Xi Gua Shuang
• Children Usage: Yes
• Price: 20 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side ones.
• Usage Guide: As described on the package; apply externally, spray, blow or dab on the affected area, can also be taken orally.

Motion Sickness

Motion Sickness Patch

• Purpose: For mild motion sickness.
• Chinese Name: 晕车贴
• Pinyin: Yun Che Tie
• Children Usage: Yes
• Price: 20 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side and chain convenience stores.
• Usage Guide: Refer to the package for instructions. Generally, apply to the acupoint behind the ear, and for severe cases, an additional patch can be applied to the navel. Ensure the skin is clean before applying to secure adhesion.

Feng You Jing (Essential Balm)

• Purpose: For moderate to severe motion sickness.
• Chinese Name: 风油精
• Pinyin: Feng You Jing
• Children Usage: Yes
• Price: 10 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side and chain convenience stores.
• Usage Guide: As indicated on the package; apply a few drops on an adhesive patch and place on the inner wrist acupoint approximately three fingers down from the two tendons to relieve symptoms of dizziness and nausea.

Minor Burns and Cuts

Erythromycin Ointment

• Purpose: For treating minor burns and cuts, and insect bites.
• Chinese Name: 红霉素软膏
• Pinyin: Hong Mei Su Ruan Gao
• Children Usage: Yes
• Price: 5 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side ones.
• Usage Guide: Refer to the package instructions. Typically, apply externally twice a day, with a thicker application before bedtime.

Bruises and Pain

Yunnan Baiyao

• Purpose: For injuries and pain relief.
• Chinese Name: 云南白药
• Pinyin: Yun Nan Bai Yao
• Children Usage: Yes
• Price: 70 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side ones.
• Usage Guide: Follow the instructions on the package. Typically involves two bottles; use the white bottle for mild injuries and pain, applying 3-5 times a day. For moderate injuries, start with the red bottle, followed by the white bottle, ensuring at least a 3-minute interval between applications.

Altitude Sickness

Gao Yuan An

• Purpose: To reduce symptoms of altitude sickness.
• Chinese Name: 高原安
• Pinyin: Gao Yuan An
• Children Usage: Yes
• Price: 100 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side ones.
• Usage Guide: Start on the day of travel, taking 3 pills three times a day.

Hangover Headaches

Recommendation: First try honey water, grapes, or tomato juice before using medications.

Famotidine Calcium Magnesium Chewable Tablets

• Purpose: For persistent vomiting after alcohol consumption.
• Chinese Name: 法莫替丁钙镁咀嚼片
• Pinyin: Fa Mo Ti Ding Gai Mei Ju Jue Pian
• Children Usage: No
• Price: 30 RMB
• Where to Buy: Pharmacies, including street-side ones.
• Usage Guide: Refer to the package. Chew 1 tablet 1-2 times per day, not exceeding 2 tablets in 24 hours.

Contact Lens Solutions

Bausch & Lomb Renu Fresh Multi-Purpose Solution

• Purpose: For cleaning contact lenses.
• Chinese Name: 博士伦润明隐形眼镜多功能护理液
• Pinyin: Bo Shi Lun Run Ming Yin Xing Yan Jing Hu Li Ye
• Price: 70 RMB
• Where to Buy: Chain convenience stores, opticians, and some pharmacies.

Bolero Pure Multi-Purpose Solution

• Purpose: For cleaning contact lenses.
• Chinese Name: 博乐纯隐形眼镜多功能护理液
• Pinyin: Bo Le Chun Yin Xing Yan Jing Hu Li Ye
• Price: 70 RMB
• Where to Buy: Chain convenience stores, opticians, and some pharmacies.