You can’t leave home without your prescription medications. However, carrying them when you travel takes preparation. Before you leave the house, ensure that you contact your primary care physician and get all the meds you need. You can travel with most medications as long as you have the prescription.
Dr. Kavita Desai, a pharmacist and founder of Revivele, said that it’s also helpful to have a list of your medications with a description for them, as the drugs may have different names depending on where you’re going.
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If you’re flying, ensure your liquid meds are in travel-size containers (if in your carry-on). When packing kids’ medications, bring ice packs as most of them need refrigeration, said Dr. Neela Sethi Young, a pediatrician and co-founder of Jaanuu.
It’s normal to forget a few medications when packing for your trip. If you realize you’ve forgotten, act quickly to avoid the gaps in your prescription regimen. Try not to stop the medications abruptly, Sethi Young said. It can adversely affect your health. Furthermore, don’t change or substitute your meds either. Here’s what you can do if you forget your meds when traveling:
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Contact Your Doctor’s Office Immediately
Get in touch with your doctor when you realize you’ve forgotten your meds. Try calling their office or texting them on an app or patient portal ASAP. Desai said that your dictor might be able to fax or email you a copy of your prescription with your latest medical consultation or a summary of your health conditions. If you’re traveling domestically, they might be able to transfer your prescription to the closest pharmacy.
Call Your Pharmacy – They Can Help
Your pharmacy will have a record of your prescription and medication names (along with doses). So, calling the pharmacy is your next best bet if your doctor is unreachable.