Traveling With Medication

One of the most important rules I recommend to travelers is simple: do not put medication you depend on exclusively in your checked luggage. Checked bags can occasionally be delayed, misrouted, or lost. The CDC recommends packing medications in your carry-on and bringing enough to last your entire trip, plus extra in case your return is unexpectedly delayed. For cruise vacations, follow the same practice. Keep medications with you in the bag you personally carry aboard rather than placing all of them in luggage handed over to porters.

For international travel, keeping prescription medication in its original pharmacy-labeled packaging is a smart precaution. The FDA recommends traveling with prescription medication in its original container with the prescription information printed on it. Keeping this information available can also be extremely helpful if you need medical care while away from home.

This is especially important. A medication that is perfectly legal in the United States may be restricted or even prohibited in another country. The U.S. Department of State recommends checking the rules of every country you are visiting — and potentially countries you will transit through — before traveling with prescription medication. Some countries require documentation or advance permission for certain medicines. Never assume that having a U.S. prescription automatically makes a medication legal to bring into another country.

Bring enough medication for the entire vacation plus a reasonable extra supply for unexpected delays. Flights can be canceled. Cruises can have itinerary changes. Weather can disrupt travel. You don't want to reach your last dose while you're still hundreds or thousands of miles from home. For longer trips, contact your physician, pharmacy, and insurance company well before departure. Some insurance plans normally limit how early prescriptions can be refilled, so additional arrangements may be necessary.

Here's some good news for air travelers. TSA allows medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in quantities greater than the normal 3.4-ounce/100 mL liquid limit when they are reasonable for your trip. Travelers should tell the TSA officer about medically necessary liquids at the beginning of the screening process. These medical liquids are treated differently from your regular toiletries.

Travelers who use insulin or other injectable prescription medications can travel with the necessary supplies. TSA permits unused syringes when they accompany injectable medication. Travelers should declare the items to the security officer at the checkpoint. Used syringes should be carried in an appropriate sharps disposal container or similar hard-sided container. If you're traveling internationally, however, you should still check your destination country's regulations regarding both the medication and the needles or syringes.

If your medication is temperature-sensitive, plan how you will store it throughout your trip — not just once you arrive at the hotel or resort. TSA allows medically necessary ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs in reasonable quantities through security, including when they are partially frozen or melted. Medication storage requirements vary greatly, so follow the instructions for your particular medication or ask your pharmacist before traveling. Also consider the entire journey: the airport, flight, transfer vehicle, cruise terminal, excursions, and hotel. Never leave temperature-sensitive medication sitting in a hot vehicle, suitcase, or direct sunlight. Extreme temperatures can reduce the effectiveness of many medications.

If you take medication on a strict schedule, crossing several time zones can make dosing confusing. Before departure, ask your physician or pharmacist how you should adjust your schedule. The CDC advises travelers to discuss time-zone changes with their healthcare provider rather than simply switching medication to the new local clock time. This can be particularly important for medications that must be taken at precise intervals.

Even common medications can have different names, formulations, strengths, or availability overseas. The CDC also warns that counterfeit medications are a problem in some countries and recommends bringing sufficient medication from home rather than assuming you'll be able to replace it while traveling.