Five Questions to Ask Before You Travel With Medication
A little preparation avoids most of the trouble that comes up at security lines, border crossings, and unfamiliar pharmacies.
Traveling with prescription medication is usually uneventful, but the handful of times it isn't tend to happen because of a question nobody thought to ask beforehand. A few worth asking a week or two before you leave:
Am I carrying enough — and a little extra?
Pack more than the trip requires, not less. Flight delays and extended stays are common; running out a day early in an unfamiliar city is a worse problem than carrying a few extra doses.
Are my medications legal at my destination?
Some medications that are routine in the U.S. — certain stimulants and strong pain medications among them — are controlled or restricted elsewhere. A quick check with your destination country's embassy website avoids an unpleasant surprise at customs.
Do I need a letter from the pharmacy?
For controlled substances or injectable medications, a short letter confirming what you're prescribed and why can smooth over a conversation with airport security or a foreign pharmacist. Ask the counter — we can usually prepare one same-day.
Am I keeping medications in their original, labeled containers?
Pill organizers are convenient at home but can raise questions at security or customs. Keep at least a day's worth in original, labeled pharmacy bottles, especially for international travel.
What's the plan if I lose a dose?
Know the generic name of what you take, not just the brand — it's the detail a pharmacist in another city or country will actually need to help you, and brand names vary by market.