Are you nervous about managing your medications while traveling? You're not alone. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate this challenge with confidence.
“Planning ahead and following these medication travel tips can eliminate almost all problems,” said Paul Thompson, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist with Banner Pharmacy Services. These tips can help you manage multiple medications when you travel, whether you’re taking medication yourself or traveling with a parent or relative who might need some help.
How can I get through security with medication?
Pack your medications and keep them with you in a carry-on bag. “You don’t want any of your medication in your checked luggage, in case it gets lost or delayed,” Dr. Thompson said.
You’re allowed to carry on insulin and the supplies you need for diabetes. You need to carry on injectable medication if you’re carrying on any unused syringes. (The air pressure changes in the plane’s cabin can affect insulin and other injectable medications, so inspect them before you use them.)
You’re allowed to carry on liquids in amounts of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. But you can carry on more medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols as long as it’s a reasonable amount. When you pass through the security checkpoint, you need to declare your excess liquids and allow the TSA staff to inspect them.
“Store your medications in labeled containers or vials to make them easy to inspect,” Dr. Thompson said. “Your pharmacy should be able to give you additional vials and duplicate labels if you need them for your trip.”
How to travel with medication that needs to be refrigerated
If you’re traveling by air, carry on any medications that need to be refrigerated. And whatever method of transportation you use, keep your medications temperature-controlled in a travel cooler bag with cold packs, ice packs or gel packs. Those items are permitted on flights. You may also want to bring a letter from your doctor explaining your need for refrigeration, which can help streamline the screening process at the airport.
Can I travel with medical marijuana?
Marijuana and some types of CBD oil are illegal under federal law, except for products with no more than 0.3 percent THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) or products that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you fly with medical marijuana and it’s uncovered at security, the final decision on whether you can travel with it and what happens next rests with the TSA officer.
How should I time my medication when I travel across time zones?
Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about adjusting your medications to allow for time zone changes. Some medications are more sensitive to timing, so you’ll want to keep taking them on the schedule for your original time zone. For others, you can transition to your vacation time zone.
For example: When flying from New York to Los Angeles, which has a three-hour time difference, it's important to adjust your medication schedule accordingly. For instance, if you usually take your blood pressure medication at 8 a.m. EST, that would be 5 a.m. PST in Los Angeles. To manage this change, you could:
- Before the trip: Ask your health care provider about how to adjust the timing of your medications. They might recommend taking your medications slightly earlier on the day of travel to help transition smoothly to the new time zone.
- During the flight: If you're flying on a red-eye flight, take your medication as you normally would in New York time. Once you land, follow the new schedule as per Pacific Time. Setting reminders on your phone can help you remember to take your medications at the right times during your trip.
What should I do if I run out of medication when I’m traveling?
Ideally, you should bring along enough medicine to last for your trip. But things happen. Make sure you have contact information for your health care provider and your pharmacy with you. Most of the time, you can have a prescription transferred to a pharmacy at your destination or request a new electronic prescription from your provider.
How should I manage multiple medications when I’m away from home?
“I recommend keeping them together and properly labeled,” Dr. Thompson said. In addition, you can ask your pharmacy or health care provider to print out a list of the names of your medications, their strengths and the directions for taking them. Referring to it can help keep you from overlooking any of them.
It’s a good idea to set reminders on your phone or to use a pill organizer to help you remember to take the right medications at the right times when you’re away from home and your routine. These tips for traveling with medication will ensure you stay on track.
Regardless of how many medications you take—prescription, over the counter or herbal, you should always carry a list with you in case of emergencies, especially when traveling. Your list should include:
- Your name
- Date of birth
- Any allergies
- Emergency contacts
- Name and phone number of your primary care physician and regular pharmacy
- Name of any medication, the dose you take and how often you take it
Communicating with your health care provider and managing medications
Before you travel, it's beneficial to have an open conversation with your health care provider about your itinerary and any potential health concerns. They can provide personalized advice tailored to your specific medications and needs.
If you're traveling internationally, check the regulations for bringing your prescription medication into the destination country, as some may have restrictions.
Additionally, consider using medication management apps that send reminders for dosages and refill alerts, helping you stay organized. Always keep your medications in their original packaging to avoid confusion and ensure you have clear labeling that includes the prescription details.
By preparing in advance, you can travel with peace of mind knowing your medication needs are managed effectively.
Is there anything else that can make it easier to travel with medications?
Dr. Thompson recommends enrolling in Global Entry ($100 for five years) or TSA PreCheck ($78 for five years). “It makes traveling and passing through security so much easier,” he said. With these programs, you don’t need to remove your shoes, laptops, allowable liquids, belts or light jackets. You’ll often get through security in five minutes or less. Global Entry also speeds up the passport control process when you return to the United States from another country.
The bottom line
When you take medication, managing it when you travel might feel overwhelming, especially if you need syringes, prescription medication, liquid medications or refrigeration. But planning and knowing what to expect can make it manageable. Reach out to a Banner Health provider if you would like individualized tips for managing your medication when you travel.
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