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Traveling with Medications

Traveling with Medications

medicine bottlesSummer is here and for many people that means summer vacation. Staying healthy is important even while traveling. Here are some tips to help you make sure you are traveling safely with medications and keeping up to date with your health while on vacation.

  • If you are traveling outside of the United States, make sure you are up to date with your vaccines. Get an appointment at least a month ahead of your expected trip and ask about which vaccines are needed. Keep an updated list of vaccines with all your travel documents.
     
  • Keep prescriptions in the original container if possible. Clearly mark the name, including the generic name, of medicines and keep a list of current medications with travel documents.
     
  • Make sure you have all medications with you before travel. If you find yourself in need of a refill while on vacation, phone the nearest pharmacy for a transfer. You may need to pay the cost of the prescriptions and submit receipts for coverage.
     
  • Keep all prescriptions in carry-on items for travel. Checked luggage may be lost and prescriptions may be a hassle to replace.
     
  • Plane safety restrictions have changed how you can carry-on liquids. There are different rules for liquid or gel medications. If your medicines are bigger than the normal restricted sizes, you need to keep the medicines separate from other liquids and may need to have the items declared to an agent at the airport for separate screening.
     
  • Non-liquid medications, like pills, are allowed on planes without any restrictions. They may be screened by security. Make sure all prescriptions are clearly labeled with your name before traveling.
     
  • Make sure you do not leave any prescriptions exposed to extreme weather, including leaving in a car during the daytime (especially in the Texas heat). Extreme hot and cold can make pills and liquids less effective.
     
  • While packing for vacation or travel consider adding some over-the-counter items you may need in a pinch, like antacids, anti-diarrhea medicines, band aids, and pain relievers.