What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Samoa

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Samoa Travel First Aid Kit Checklist

Although you can get first aid kits at pretty much any pharmacy, they are generic and often only include enough to deal with a couple of cuts. We like to create our own first aid kit that has been adapted to our destination, in this case, Samoa, as well as to our personal needs.

Our example Samoa first aid kit includes a few prescribed medications, so make sure to book an appointment with your GP and get these prescriptions sorted.

What to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Samoa

• Travel passport for a record of your vaccinations
• Band-aids/plasters for cuts
• Disinfectant wipes for cuts
• Gauzes for cuts
• Gloves for cuts
• Butterfly closures for small wounds
• Antisceptic cream/spray for infected cuts (spray is better for hot climates)
• Tweezers to remove shards, leeches and bugs
• Thermometer to monitor temperature
• Elastic wraps for twisted ankles
• Flight socks to prevent swollen ankles
• Paracetamol/ibuprofen for headaches and fevers
• Antihistamine pills or cream for mosquito bites
• Oral rehydration sachets (medical electrolytes) for dehydration from the sun or gastro bugs
• Baby electrolytes for dehydration in infants
• Antacids for neutralising stomach acid
• Antidiarrhoeal pills such as loperamide for diarrhoea
• Nasal drops for congestion
• Hydrocortisone cream for allergic rashes
• Aloe vera soothing cream for sunburn
• Hand sanitiser when clean water is not available
• Multivitamins for a vitamin boost if dietary intake is poor
• A copy of the emergency numbers for Samoa – Samoa Police & Emergency Number: 911 (or +685 911)
• Antibiotics if recommended by your GP.

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Other Medication and Health Products to Pack for Samoa

While not necessarily needed in your “first aid kit” for Samoa, these other medications and health products are also handy to have with you.

Sunscreen

With UV levels of 9-11+ in Samoa, it’s crucial that you protect yourself and your loved ones from sun exposure in order to avoid sunburn or heatstroke. It’s recommended to use at least SPF 30 sunscreen, which should be applied thickly every three hours or soon after being in the water. Be sure to choose a sunscreen that’s safe for marine life in Samoa too and bring this from home, as reef-safe sunscreen is hard to come by in Samoa. Check out examples of safe sunscreen to use in The Best Sunscreens for Samoa + Sun Protection Tips.

Insect Repellent

It’s important to avoid mosquito bites in Samoa as much as possible, as mosquito-related diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya do occur. Check out our recommended mosquito repellents in the 10 Best Insect Repellents for Samoa. Plus, get more advice for avoiding bites in the 10 Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites in Samoa.

Iodine (Water-Purifying) Tablets

As a precaution for drinking water from a tap or any other potentially unsafe source, iodine tablets dissolved in water helps remove some bacteria and viruses from the water. This is not 100% effective though so, when possible, boil water for at least 10 minutes before drinking it. Get more tips for finding safe drinking water in Is the Water Safe to Drink in Samoa?

Glasses/Contact Lenses

It’s always a good idea to have a spare pair of glasses or spare sets of contact lenses, in case you lose or damage your glasses and/or contact lenses.

Seasickness Pills

If you are going out on dive or fishing trips or are usually prone to seasickness and are taking the ferry to Savai’i, for example, you may want to pack a few seasickness pills so you enjoy the whole trip!

Prescription Medication

Finally, remember your prescription medication. It’s a good idea to bring medication in the original packaging with the label for whom it is prescribed, just in case you are asked about your medication at the border. As an extra precaution, get your GP/doctor to sign and date a letter describing your medical conditions and medications, including their generic names, should you need more prescribed medication while in Samoa (but we recommend taking enough for your whole trip plus a few extras).