Travel Packing Medications ~ Rx or OTC
Plan ahead when packing prescription (Rx) or Over the counter (OTC) medications, first aid items
How to pack medications for travel is one of the most often asked questions, especially since airline security rules keep changing! But you can always take your medications, whether they are prescription or Over the counter, in your carryon luggage or in your pockets or purse.
But just pack them properly and make sure the labels are on the prescriptions, and the packaging on the over-the-counter products clearly identifies them, and you'll be fine! NB: US and Canada allowable airline carry-on items permit gels, lotions, cosmetics,etc but only for small travel sizes packed in a one-quart size clear plastic bag.
Note:: Fall-Winter 2007 Permitted (allowable) carry-on items vary by country and airline, and from day to day. Check with your local airport/carrier for specific information. However, the current ruling is to allow small travel sizes for toiletries, less than 3 ounces each (90 ml or 85 g), packed in a one-quart-size clear ziplock plastic bag placed personally in the security basket for screening. (See my travel blog post for September 26/06 for links to government sites and 3-11 Rule (US).)
Travel packing prescription medications The first and inviolable rule is NEVER EVER pack your prescription medications in your checked luggage. I cannot stress this enough. Carry them on your person or in your carry-on bag. Your luggage usually reaches your destination at the same time you do, but you can't count on it.
Should the luggage be delayed or misplaced, you will have a difficult time trying to replace the meds, and what's more, you'll cut into your precious holiday time.
Leave your medications in the original containers for easy identification -- by you, by any doctors you happen to consult while away, and by curious customs agents. Consider putting the daily allotment of any pills into a flat 8-compartment plastic pill keeper (see your pharmacy). These small cases are good for vitamin supplements, too. This also serves as a memory aid when you are on long trips over numerous time zones; ask your doctor beforehand if the daily dosage should be adjusted for long travel days.
Travel packing OTC (over the counter medications) For OTC (over the counter medications that do not require a prescription). Since you don't need a doctor's prescription to buy OTC medications, you can pack them in your checked luggage, But keep enough aside in yur carryons or pockets to tide you over should your luggage go astray. As for which OTC meds to pack, think for a moment: Imagine it's the middle of the night, and you're in a strange place where you don't speak the language.
Imagine that your stomach's upset, your head aches, or you have diarrhea, sunburn, hives, hay fever, insect bites, a scrape, a blister, a small cut, a cold, a rash, or any other minor complaint. In short, you feel miserable.
What you would like to have at hand? Pack it. Not the large, economy bottles of cough syrup, etc. Just enough to see you through a night or two. Remove blister packs from bulky packaging, being sure to save the dosage instructions. Put OTCs in small, zippered, clear plastic bags for easy identification and packing.
What travel medications to pack As you make your medications list (consult with your family doctor or travel health clinic while you're at it), consider items like antacids, pain killers, bandaids, upset stomach and diarrhea remedies, cortisone creams, cough drops, antihistamines, antifungals and topical disinfectants. If your health professional issues a proactive prescription (with explicit instructions about when and how to use it), fill it before you leave home.Written Prescriptions are NOT valid outside the country (and sometimes the province or state) in which they are issued.
Be sure you understand how, and when, the medication is to be used. Of course, you can seek medical advice at your destination, and have a new prescription issued, if warranted and if required (Substances that require a doctor's prescription in one country or state / province may be offered over-the-counter elsewhere). But be aware, too, that some specific medications may be in short supply or stale-dated in some countries.Packing food for travel Why? I began packing food for travel after one particularly uncomforatable trip some years ago. I was booked on an short haul early afternoon flight. I was running late, so I skipped lunch, thinking I would be fed on the plane. (Remember those days?). Was I wrong! The flight boarded an hour late, then had a further one-hour delay on the tarmac for 'mechanical problems'. During Hour Three, each of us received one tiny finger sandwich. Then, the flight got rerouted to a further destination before heading for the one we wanted.
What should have been a 2-hour flight became a 7-hour flight, and we hungry passengers were threatening mutiny. (The airline responsible is no longer in business.) Since that day, each and every time I travel, I have food and water with me. (Of course, travelers with blood sugar issues know full why the reasons to carry food.) Flights are delayed for many reasons, and meal service stops during turbulence, so be prepared. And when you get to your destination, you'll have something on hand for middle of the night, jet-lag munchies. And there's a bonus: When the food is gone, there's room in your suitcase for souvenirs!
Travel Packing - Which foods? I allot one meal replacement bar (available at pharmacies) for each day of my trip, but usually have room for no more than 15 or so. A few go into my backpack, and the rest lie flat the bottom of my checked suitcase, under the zippered lining. These bars have the added advantage of vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre. Try several varieties before you go to be sure you like them. These bars are handy to pack for day trips, too.
I also take along those pouches of powdered foodstuffs that can be prepared with boiling water (many hotel rooms provide kettle, carafe, coffee maker) such as hot chocolate, cafe au lait, cappuccino, instant soups, instant oatmeal and a few tea bags with a few sugar packets. Pack a few plastic utensils, and a corkscrew-bottle opener. Buy some juice, fruit and yogurt at the market, and you've got a meal! Not fine dining by any means, but if you have to wait for meal service, you will be much more comfortable with something tasty to tide you over.
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Water for travel or when you are on the road
You can take a bottle of water TO the airport, but will have to empty if before taking it through security. I refill mine once I get through at a water fountain (in places where the tap water is safe to drink!) When you're touring around, whether hiking or just out shopping, it's a good idea to carry a bottle of water with you. Even if the water is safe to drink, it may contain other minerals, etc. and dddrinking a lot of it when your body is not used to it can cause upsets. If you will be in a hot climate, especially, make sure to drink water often, in additon to usual drinks, as you can become dehydrated before you know it.
Watch the heat! My own family doctor, who has extensive work experience in hot climates, told me to add an extra spoon of sugar to my tea, and not worry about cutting back on salt too much. Check with your own doctor, especially if you are on prescription medicines, before travel.
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More travel tips pages you may like to check:
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Travel currency tips OR Travel planning Supplies OR What To Pack basics
Travel Luggage Tips OR General Travel Packing tips
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