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6 Tips to Manage Your Medications While Traveling from Village Medical

With summer upon us, many of us are excited to get out and start traveling. However, it is important to keep your health and safety in mind when preparing for your trip, including carefully planning and managing all your medications before traveling to ensure your health and well-being. To help you with this, here are 6 tips from Village Medical to help you manage your medications effectively whether you are going on a short trip or a long journey.

  1. Have a sufficient supply of your medication to cover your entire trip plus a few extra.

At least 1-2 weeks prior to your trip, check to make sure you have enough medication for the entire time you will be gone. If you do not have enough, contact your doctor, advanced practice provider (APP) or pharmacist to request a refill at least one week before you leave to guarantee there are no complications, such as needing a new prescription or needing to order the medication. If you are taking an extended trip, contact your insurance company to obtain an extended quantity to cover your daily supply for the duration of your trip. It is also a good idea to consider bringing extra of your medication in case your return is delayed.

  1. Create a comprehensive medication list.

Make a detailed list of all the medications you take including any over-the-counter medications. It should include the medication name, dosage, instructions on when and how to take the medication, and what the medication is for. Consider also including any allergies, especially to medicines, you may have on the list, and keep it with you, in your purse or wallet, in case of an emergency. Consider making copies and storing a list with your other travel documents, such as your license or passport.

  1. Pack medication in carry-on when flying.

If you are flying to your vacation destination, be sure to keep all your medications with you in your carry-on for safety, easy access, and to prevent them being lost in a checked bag. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suggests keeping medications in their original containers with the prescription label attached. If you have medication that requires refrigeration, you can use ice packs and other cooling accessories or use a TSA approved travel bag. There are travel bags approved by TSA for this purpose.

  1. Manage medication schedule.

While traveling, you may cross into different time zones, which can make it challenging to stay on schedule when taking your medications. Creating alerts will help you remember when to take your medicines on time. If there is a big difference in the time change, contact your pharmacist, and they can help you create a new schedule for your travel.

  1. Check travel restrictions.

Other countries may have different restrictions on medication and what is permitted in the US may not be allowed at your destination. Before traveling, check with your destination’s embassy to see if your medicines are permitted and if there are any restrictions. If traveling with narcotics and controlled substances, check the International Narcotics Control Board website for more information. It is recommended to carry a prescription or letter from your doctor or APP describing your condition and health plan.

  1. Inform your travel companions.

If you are traveling with a group, be sure to tell someone about your medical history, including access to your comprehensive medication list, medical conditions, allergies, and important phone numbers such as your doctor and pharmacy. In case of an emergency, this information provided can be lifesaving.

By following the tips above, you can make sure you have everything you need to stay healthy while enjoying your trip. Remember to plan ahead, keep your medications with you in transit, and ask for help if needed. With a little preparation, you can have a fun and worry-free adventure. We wish you safe travels.

*An advanced practice provider is defined as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
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