Medication while Traveling

Medicines are not universally available. In some countries, it can be challenging to find what most Americans consider “the basics.” Or, if there is a language barrier, you might have trouble requesting the correct thing from a local pharmacy. Because of this, it’s best to BYO meds when traveling. Limited availability is especially true of children’s medication. Make sure you pack appropriate instruments, cups, or spoons to measure too.

Some countries have restrictions on bringing in some American over-the-counter drugs (like Sudafed). Be sure to check before you pack.

Pack things that can ease an upset stomach…think antacids, Pepto Bismol, anti-diarrheal, or heartburn medications. No one wants to be worrying about being 2 minutes from a bathroom while they are on vacation.

Make sure to pack your choice of Tylenol, Ibuprofen, aspirin, muscle relaxers, migraine medicine, or whatever else you might need for a headache or worse. Keep in mind many countries have strict rules about prescription pain relievers. Make sure you bring any prescribed medications in their original containers that show the script written to you. Traveling tends to produce a lot of muscle tensions, especially from long flights. Pain relievers can help you get back to loving your vacation. We also highly recommend a visit to the hot tub and spa for a massage! Pain relievers can also help treat the pain of a bad sunburn.

Sinus medication can be something you need even if it’s not a typical issue for you. Pressurized airplane cabins, allergies, ears that won’t equalize, and colds can all benefit from sinus medication that helps you be ready to enjoy your vacation.

Allergy medication can be something that is quickly forgotten. If you happen to be allergic to environments with pollen, grasses, bug bites, or other things, you may not remember until you land and get around all that beautiful tropical vegetation that is ALWAYS in bloom. Oral and topical allergy medications can help keep your nose and your skin in good health.  Of course, there are more severe allergies like food allergies. Those travels should always travel with necessary supplies and may require a doctor’s note to do so if the amounts usually are TSA prohibited.

Sometimes new environments can cause sleep issues for even the soundest of sleepers. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than not being able to sleep. A sleep aid, whether natural or not, can come in handy to help you sleep in a new place and get you through a substantial time zone change. We always highly recommend wax earplugs to help you sleep soundly in noisy environments if you are a light sleeper. Keep in mind that sleep aids affect different people in different ways and you should try them before travel to make sure they are right for you.

Our favorite medication packing gear is from Lewis N. Clark. It has been all over the world with us and allows for packing several medications you might need in a small space. Be sure to label everything clearly and understand that especially with certain medications that copies of prescriptions or original bottles may be necessary for customs.  The version we have used the most is available from Amazon.

There are a couple of other options for sale as well depending on how much you need to take with you. They have two different larger sizes available. They even have just the reusable pouches. These are much more durable than using a Ziploc or some of the cheaper alternatives. They should last you for many trips.

Expert Tip: Pack medicine in your carry on. If you have a lost checked bag, you won’t be without the medicines you need while you travel.

About The Traveling Compass:

The Traveling Compass is a full-service luxury travel agency. Our success is built on a foundation of unmatched expertise and outstanding customer service. Our travel agents specialize in international travel, corporate incentive trips, destination weddings & honeymoons, multigenerational travel, luxury leisure, and family travel. We are also Authorized Disney Vacation Planners with experience assisting families that have children with special needs or large families or groups with complicated dining reservations for over 20 guests.  Our personalized travel itineraries are designed to help discerning, time-pressed travelers plan the most elaborate vacations, down to the smallest detail. As luxury travel agents, we are dedicated to creating and facilitating travel experiences that expand awareness and give each person a real sense of the country and culture they are visiting. It is our mission to make sure you have the travel experience of a lifetime, every time.