Traveling takes a lot of planning. Whether it is for work, a family emergency, or a much needed vacation, it is important to think about the medicines you take before you leave home. Ensuring that you have enough of the medicines you take regularly is critical. Prescription medicines are important because they are prescribed by a doctor specifically for you. With preparation you can reduce the chances of something going wrong with your medicine.
Keep your medicine in its original container. Keeping your medicine in its original prescription container is an important safety measure. Each container (or package) has important information about the medicine. The container is labeled with the medicine’s name, dosage, directions of when and how to take, the pharmacy that filled the prescription, and the name of your doctor who prescribed it. Having this information readily available is important should anyone need this information.
Do not combine different medicines into one container. Combining different medicines into one container to save space may be tempting. However, doing so increases the chance of a mix-up, especially since your normal routine is switched up while traveling.
Be prepared with an extra supply of medicine. Take several days’ worth of medicine in the event you cannot return home as scheduled. This way, you will have extra medicine if your trip is longer than originally planned. You may also need to arrange for a new prescription to be sent to where you are staying.
Keep your medicine stored at the appropriate temperature. Some medicines need to be stored in the refrigerator while others can be stored at room temperature. Extreme temperatures that are too high or too low may affect the medicine so it will not work properly. Be prepared when traveling by bringing warm or cold packs if needed. Never store your medicine in the glove compartment or trunk of your car.
Prevent your medicine from getting wet. Keep your medicine in a waterproof container, such as a sealable plastic bag, to prevent it from getting wet.
Take caution with children. Always store medicine in child-resistant containers. If your bags and luggage contain medicine be sure to keep them up and away from children. Even if you are not traveling with children there is a chance an unsuspecting child may be able to access your bag. Know where your medicine is at all times and store it in a secure location once you reach your destination.
Use caution when traveling to hot and humid regions. If you are traveling somewhere warm and will have prolonged exposure to sun, keep the following in mind:
Pack your medicine in your carry-on bag. Bring your medicine along with you in the cabin of the plane to prevent it from being exposed to extreme temperatures in the underbelly of the aircraft. This also ensures you will have them should your luggage get lost or delayed.
Know the security process prior to arriving at the airport. All medicines (e.g., tablets, capsules, liquids, drops, and creams) must go through security screening. All medicines should be in their original, labeled containers. If you are traveling with liquid medicines, gels, aerosols, or intravenous medicine that is more than 3.4 ounces, it is allowed in carry-on baggage. Let the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent know that you are carrying these products and other related items such as freezer packs. To learn more about the security screening process while traveling with medicine, you can view this official TSA video:
Know both the brand and generic name of the medicine you take. Keep in mind that the brand name of the medicine you take at home may be used for a totally different purpose in another country. Some of these medicines may treat the same condition, but actually contain different ingredients. If you should need a refill while traveling in another country, give the pharmacist the generic name of the medicine you take. As another safeguard, always tell the pharmacist the reason you are taking the medicine.
Know the rules in the country you are traveling to. What is legal in the United States could be banned in another country. For example, products containing the over-the-counter medicine (OTC) pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is illegal in Japan. In some countries, controlled substances (e.g., codeine, morphine) may have a limit on the quantity you can bring. For example, you cannot travel to Singapore with more than 20 codeine tablets without prior approval. Check with the local embassy for the rules in the country you will be traveling to. Here are two resources you may find useful:
• Country Regulations for Travellers Carrying Medicines Containing Controlled Substances
• US Embassy.gov
Consider the time difference in the country you will be traveling to. If you will be traveling short term you can keep your medicine on schedule by setting an alarm at the corresponding time that you take it at home. But for some medicine such as insulin, you should discuss with your doctor how to adjust your medicine schedule to the anticipated time zone. If you will be in the new time zone for a greater period of time you can gradually adjust the time you take your medicine. But it is always best to check with your doctor before traveling.
Use caution when buying medicine in another country. If you need medicine while you are traveling outside of the United States, use caution when buying medicine. In some countries counterfeit medicine is common so you should only purchase from a reputable pharmacy. Contact the US Embassy prior to departure for a list of trustworthy doctors and pharmacies should an emergency arise. Also, pack a supply of OTC medicines with you, such as acetaminophen, cold medicine, antidiarrheal medicine, etc.
