Packing your bags? No matter the destination, from a week at the beach to a hike through the backcountry, we’re all eager to get out on the road again. But remember: Your health conditions will be going along for the ride. For worry-free travel, don’t forget to pack your medication.
“The key is to be prepared,” says Michael Zimring, MD, director of the Center for Wilderness and Travel Medicine at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. He’s also the author of Healthy Travel: Don’t Travel Without It! “A month or so before your trip, sit down with your doctor and go over everything you’ll need to take with you to stay healthy on vacation.”
Your best bet: See a travel medicine specialist, especially if you’re heading off the beaten path (find a travel doctor near you). “A travel doctor can look at your health profile in light of the risks you might face at your destination,” says Dr. Zimring. “Your family doctor should be able to help too.” The important thing: a thorough review of your medications.
Suggested reading: I got my COVID-19 vaccine. Does this mean I can travel again?
Everything depends on your destination, of course. If you’re trekking through the wilderness or visiting an undeveloped country (this may be an option again soon), you may need certain immunizations first. If you plan on sailing, a remedy for seasickness may be on the ticket. But no matter where you’re going, plan ahead to be sure you’ve got all the medications you need.
We asked Dr. Zimring and Courtney Doyle-Campbell, PharmD, a professor at the Western New England College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, to share their best advice.
1. Stock up. Make sure you have an adequate supply of all your medications. “The rule of thumb is to take enough for twice as long as you’ll be away,” says Dr. Zimring. You could experience travel delays — or you could be having such a great time that you decide to stay longer. Be ready for anything. If you need help covering the cost of the extra medication, Optum Perks can help. Download our app, type in your medication and get a coupon instantly.
2. Carry on. Your luggage can get lost, so be sure to tuck at least a few days’ worth of your medications into your carry-on bag.
3. Be original. Bring prescription medications in their original packaging. Make sure the labels show the name of the medication, dose, prescribing doctor, pharmacy and your name as it appears on your passport. Prefer using a pill organizer box? Take it along and fill it up when you get to your destination.
4. Make a list. Write down the name of each of your medications, the doctor’s name, the dose, pharmacy contact information and the prescription or refill numbers. Give a backup copy of your list to a friend or relative at home or email it to yourself so you can access it from anywhere.
5. Bring a note. If any of your medications contains a controlled substance — such as cough medicine with codeine — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you bring along a note from your doctor. It should describe your condition and spell out all the details of the prescription, including the reason the medication was prescribed.
6. Know the laws. Traveling abroad? Make sure all your medications are legal at your destination. Laws vary from country to country, and a medication that’s legal in the U.S. might land you in hot water (or even in jail) somewhere else. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you’re visiting. If your prescription isn’t allowed, ask if your doctor can prescribe an alternative.
7. Bring your liquid medications. That 3.4-ounce rule for carrying liquids aboard a flight? It doesn’t apply to medications. If you’ve got cough syrup or another liquid medicine you need to take frequently, pack it in your carry-on. You don’t need to place it in a zip-top plastic bag (though you may want to, to prevent possible spills). But you must inform officers at the start of airline security check-in. And be aware that it may get X-rayed.
