Summer is finally here! But, before you take off on that trip you’ve been planning for months make sure you make a list of the medications you take and keep your essentials with you. Pack your medication in your carry-on bag. Suitcases can get lost. The most important thing is to have it with you.
The trip can be unpredictable and the plans changed. Therefore, pack prescription medications in case you arrive late. Keep the prescription medication in its original packaging, if you can. If you are taking a controlled substance or using an injectable medication, either bring your prescription or a letter from your doctor that you are authorized to use the drug in question.
If you carry liquid medications in your bag, tell the TSA before passing the security check. And do not forget to top up the over-the-counter medications you need for upset stomach, allergies or pain should incase it requires it. And the other thing is that the drugs last longer and retain their effectiveness when stored in a dry and cool place. In summer, medications may be exposed to sunlight and moisture.
Keep your medication safe from sun and heat on road trips. and, if you drive to the beach, use a pill storage box to help you stay organized. Because if you are not in your routine during your trip, you easily lose the associations you have when you take the medication. These pill boxes are a great reminder of whether you took the medication that day and help you stay on track. If you change time zones, you must also stick to the calendar with your medication to make sure you do not miss the dose. Another useful tip is to take note of the generic versions of your medication. If you need an emergency refill, the brand of the medication may be different in another country.
Traveling with the medication checklist:
- Check the INCB guidelines when traveling with narcotics or psychotropic drugs.
- Look for drugs with potential for abuse (eg, anabolic steroids).
- Keep in mind that many countries only allow a 30-day delivery of certain medications and require a prescription or an import license certificate.
- Always keep the tablets in their original packaging and the information sheet. Keep a copy of your prescription, most especially for drugs that can easily affect the central nervous system.
Helpful Tips:
- Use a pill organizer
They’re simple, cheap, and do the job. Our SafeTote Rx locking tote bags are perfect for summer traveling. Our bags hold anywhere from 8-12 bottles and they come with a lock to keep children and others from getting their hands on your medications. Most medicines can be kept with other medicines in compartments for a short period of time without them interacting. But you need to check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure of it. Other variations on the subject: Try out the automatic pill dispensers that help you to organize your pills. Or put medication for different times of the day in bottles of different colors. You can also ask your pharmacy about pills that are available in “multiple doses”. They group medicines that have to be sorted in packaging with date and time. Be sure not to ask too many in advance when changing your prescriptions. Whatever you do, make sure the organizers are filled correctly. It is easy to drop two pills, where there should only be one, or put the wrong medication in a bottle.
- Set a schedule
It is easier to remember your pills if you take them at the same time. It is even better if you can attach your pill schedule to your normal routine. For example, take them with breakfast or brush your teeth at night. Always have a plan to fill your pills organizer. Do it on the same day each week before your summer vacation ends.
- Set an alarm
The time zone of the country you will be spending your summer might be different from your time zone, you should make sure you know the time you will be takig your medications before travelling so to help you stay organised during your stay. You can do this on your phone, computer, or watch to remind yourself to take your pills. Program your phone or computer to send you an email or text message when it’s time for your meds. There are apps that can help, too. Research shows that technology can really help you stick to a schedule.
- Make a checklist
A written chart that shows which medications to take and when to take them is another good way to stay organized during summer vacation. You can find them online or create them yourself. Add the name of the medicine, the dose, when you take it and what the pill looks like. Also mark special instructions example, if it should be taken with food. Leave space to verify that you have taken each dose. Update your medication list as soon as you change the prescriptions.
- Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
If it is confusing to take medicines several times in a day, then you can ask your doctor if he/she can prescribe an alternative that you can take less frequently during the summer holidays. Remember that your pharmacist is an important part of your health care team. Your pharmacy’s computer system stores a list of your medications. He or she can help you create a checklist. If you have a Medicare drug plan, you may be eligible to receive medication counseling through a free program called Medication Therapy Management.