Travel Medicine: What to Pack and How to Buy Meds Safely
Travel plans can change fast. Your meds shouldn’t. Pack smart, know the rules for your destination, and have a backup plan for buying or replacing medicine while you’re away. This page brings simple, real-world tips so you don’t get stuck without what you need.
Start with the basics: carry your prescriptions and enough supply. Keep prescription labels and a short letter from your doctor that lists drug names, doses, and why you take them. Put medicines in your carry-on, not checked luggage, so they’re safe if bags are delayed or lost.
Temperature matters. Insulin, biologics, and some liquids need cool storage. Use an insulated travel pouch or small portable cooler when flying or during long layovers. For pills, a pillbox is fine, but keep original bottles for customs checks.
Timing, dosing, and time zones
Changing time zones can mess up dosing. Decide how you’ll shift doses before you go: stay on home time for a few days or adjust slowly. For once-daily meds, moving by a few hours is usually safe; for critical drugs (seizure meds, blood thinners) talk to your prescriber for a clear plan. Set phone alarms and carry a written schedule in case your phone dies or is lost.
Controlled substances and some common meds are illegal or restricted in some countries. Check your destination’s rules ahead of time—some places require an import permit. If you travel with meds like codeine, certain ADHD meds, or hormone therapies, confirm legality and documentation needs with the embassy or official health sites.
Buying meds while traveling
If you need medicine on the road, find licensed pharmacies—brick-and-mortar ones are safest. Ask to speak with a pharmacist, check packaging and expiration dates, and avoid street sellers. For online options, look for clear contact info, a valid pharmacy license, secure checkout (HTTPS), and patient reviews. On My Ed Meds SU you’ll find guides on safe online pharmacy use and reviews of specific sites so you can compare options like ordering Antivert for motion sickness or finding deals on Valtrex.
Watch out for bargains that seem too good. Extremely cheap branded drugs, no-prescription sales for prescription-only meds, or sites that pressure you into fast checkout are red flags. If a site won’t verify a prescription for a controlled drug, don’t use it.
Finally, pack a small travel health kit: basic pain relief, an antibiotic you’ve discussed with your doctor if you’re going remote, anti-diarrheal meds, motion sickness medicine, and a spare prescription. Add contact info for your primary doctor, your insurance, and nearby pharmacies at your destination. With a clear plan and these checks, you’ll handle most medication problems quickly and stay focused on your trip, not your meds.
Need specific help? Browse our travel-tagged articles for drug-specific advice, online pharmacy reviews, and step-by-step buying guides.