Advil is ibuprofen, Aleve is Sodium Naproxen, Tylenol is acetaminophen, and benadryl is diphenhydramine hydrochloride. I have found that generics are just as good as name brands. Gel caps work much faster, but don't make a mistake and bite them. You won't like it, I guarantee that. A small bottle of water to take them with is important. You can also buy a blood clotting spray in an aerosol can. That is a good thing to have, ya never know when you might have a bleeding injury.

 

I always carry some Immodium AD (anti-diarrhea). You never know when you might need it, eating road food and what not.

 

Careful with benedryl though, while solving your allergic reaction problem it also makes most people extremely drowsy too. I had a nasty reaction to several bald-faced hornet stings about 10 years ago and was given benedryl by my father who is an old army field medic (excuse the lack of knowledge of exactly what the MOS was called, I have no military service in my past.) The benedryl worked great then, but made me drowsy as hell. In my humble opinion, if you get stung by and have an allergic reaction to something and take benedryl, look for a place to either sleep or at least rest for a few hours, would be better to lose a few hours than to pass out on the ride.

 

I always carry Sunblock, chapstick and eye drops.

 

If you carry pepto bismol get the chewable tablets, the liquid loses it's effectiveness once it gets above 95 degrees. Don't ask how I know.....

 

Old? Pallleaaaaseee!!!!

5th GP SF 73-76
2nd Ranger Ft Lewis 76-78

 

Same here with the benedryl reaction, puts me right to sleep.

 

Although not a med, ...if you should happen to wear contacts, it's good to have a bottle of Re-wetting solution with you on long rides.

 

Just a little caution - be careful mixing antiinflammatory pain medications (NSAIDs like excedrin, aleve, motrin, ibuprofen etc.) as they can add up on the stomach and the kidneys. Advil, ibuprofen and motrin are all the same. Max dose for adults should be no more than 800mg three times a day - assuming no ulcer history and healthy kidneys/liver. These only last about 6 hours or so. Aleve and naprosyn (same active ingredient) last about 12 hours. Adult dose of this would be 440 or 500mg twice daily - again assuming healthy kidneys and GI track. Tylenol is not antiinflammatory and can be mixed with the NSAIDs. 1000mg up to four times a day is ok assuming healthy liver. Benadryl is good for allergy as mentioned, just remember that it makes most people groggy.

Good luck on the ride. Be safe.

 

Jack Daniels!!!! Cures all!