How to Travel With Medications

Preparing your prescription medications may be the most crucial part of packing for a trip. You cannot leave home without them, and not properly preparing may leave you scrambling to call your doctor and make a special trip to a pharmacy to get a replacement. A little planning ahead, though, will make traveling with your medication worry-free.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Medication record
• Written prescriptions and medications
• Carry-on bag
• Letter from your doctor
• Medication schedule

Getting Ready

1. Ask your doctor to approve a larger amount of your prescription. If your trip is extended or delayed, you will then be prepared with extra doses.

2. Decide if you will stay on your usual schedule or adjust to your traveling schedule.

3. Consult the doctor if you plan to adjust or change your routine.

4. Ask a pharmacist if any foods or liquids conflict with your prescriptions. Traveling often requires a change in dietary habits that could affect your medications.

Packing Instructions

5. Bring your medication schedule with you. This will help you adjust to time and routine changes.

6. Attach the purpose of each prescription to its container. If you do not know, call your physician.

7. Pack the medications in your carry-on bag. You do not want to risk losing your prescription, so keep it close.

8. Pack the medications according to any special handling requirements.

9. Fill out and carry your medication record in case of an emergency.

Tips & Warnings

• If traveling abroad, contact the local embassy for drug regulations.
• If taking a narcotic or using needles, ask for a letter from your doctor and keep it with your prescription.
• Keep medications in their original containers to help speed up the inspection process.
• Keep children away from ALL medications.