5 Tips for Traveling with Your Medications

Are you planning a trip and worried about how to take your medication with you? Don't stress, with a little bit of planning and preparation, traveling with medication can be a breeze even if you’re traveling outside of the U.S.

Here are some tips to help you navigate the process and make sure you have a safe and enjoyable trip with your medication.

1.  Keep medication in its original, labeled containers according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)¹. This helps ensure airport security and customs officials can easily identify your medication and you have the correct dosage. The CDC² also suggests you keep any prescription information, such as the name of the medication and the name of the prescribing doctor, with the medication.

2. Bring a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor. You can use this as proof that the medication is prescribed to you says the CDC³. That can help you avoid any issues with security or customs if you’re traveling abroad.

3. Keep your medication with you, rather than in checked luggage suggests Banner Health⁴. This is important because checked luggage can get lost or delayed, and you don't want to be without your medication. Also, when you keep medication with you it’s easier to get to it if you need it during the flight or while in transit says Banner Health⁵.

4. Report liquid medication in carry-on bags if it's more than 3.4 ounces says the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)⁶. You don't have to put it in a zip-top bag, but make sure to tell the TSA agent that you have it before going through security says TSA⁷. They may need to do an extra screening and might ask you to open the container.

If you’re traveling abroad, there is an additional action you may want to keep in mind before you go.

5.  Check with the embassy of the country you're visiting to see if there are any restrictions for the medication you’re bringing into the country suggests the CDC⁸. Each country has different laws and regulations, so it is important to check ahead of time to avoid any issues. If your medicine isn’t allowed, talk with your doctor beforehand about alternatives recommends the CDC⁹.

Whether you’re traveling in the U.S. or overseas, you should bring along enough medicine to last for your entire trip advises Banner Health¹⁰. But delays and other unforeseen things happen. So be sure you can reach your doctor and pharmacy in case you run out. Often, they can transfer your prescription to a pharmacy near you says Banner Health¹¹.

All in all, traveling with medication doesn't have to be a hassle. By following these tips, you'll be able to pack and bring your medication safely and securely on your trip. Then you'll be all set for an enjoyable journey.

Sources

1. “Traveling Abroad with Medicine,” Center For Disease Control, Last access January 21, 2023, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-abroad-with-medicine
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4. “These Expert Strategies Make It Easy to Travel With Your Medication,” Banner Health, Last accessed January 21, 2023, https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/advise-me/traveling-with-medications
5. “These Expert Strategies Make It Easy to Travel With Your Medication”
6. “Can you pack your meds in a pill case and more questions answered,” Transportation Security Administration, Last accessed January 21, 2023, https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/can-you-pack-your-meds-pill-case-and-more-questions-answered
7. “Can you pack your meds in a pill case and more questions answered”
8. “Traveling Abroad with Medicine”
9. “Traveling Abroad with Medicine”
10. “These Expert Strategies Make It Easy to Travel With Your Medication”
11. “These Expert Strategies Make It Easy to Travel With Your Medication”

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