We are in the middle of travel season. Getting out the door on vacation can be a stressful time. In all the fuss, people may forget to pack crucial medications. What can you do if you arrive at your destination only to discover that essential medicines were left behind? You won’t want to forget your medications this summer!
What If You Forget Your Medications?
You won’t be the first person to encounter this problem. Pharmacies deal with such situations on a regular basis. To help you, though, the pharmacist at your destination will need contact with your doctor’s office at home. The support staff should be able to provide a prescription or authorization for the pharmacy to supply enough medicine to get you home. The office may be able to email the prescription directly to you or the remote pharmacy.
If you can’t through to the doctor’s office, your regular pharmacy might be able to assist. Pharmacy to pharmacy communication may enable the filling of an emergency supply.
On a cruise, the ship’s doctor could prescribe the missing medicines. With luck, the onboard pharmacy can fill the prescription.
Why You Shouldn’t Forget Your Medications:
There are many medicines which should never be stopped suddenly. Abrupt withdrawal of a hypertension pill such as clonidine can result in a sudden spike in blood pressure, as well as rapid heart rate, changes in heart rhythm, nausea, vomiting, flushing, headache, nervousness and confusion. In a few cases, people have even suffered strokes or died.
Beta blocker heart and blood pressure medicine such as atenolol, metoprolol or propranolol may cause problems if discontinued abruptly. Some people have had increased trouble with chest pain, while a few have experienced heart attacks. Irregular heart rhythms, sweating, shakiness and headache are other potential complications.
Obviously, people with chronic conditions like diabetes or heart trouble can’t afford to forego treatment for even a few days. Their medical situation could deteriorate rapidly, and they could end up with an unplanned tour of the nearest hospital.
Unexpected Withdrawal Problems:
Some popular antidepressants cause withdrawal problems if you skip even a few doses. People have related their experiences when they suddenly found themselves without paroxetine or sertraline.
One reader wrote:
“I experienced a sensation of lightheadedness, irritability, fatigue and basically felt like my head would fall off.”
These symptoms can last for days and would not make for a pleasant vacation.
Packing Your Medicine for Travel:
Let’s assume that you remembered your medications. How should you pack them?
If you are traveling within the United States, you may want to transfer your pills from the original container to plastic sandwich bags. That way you can get a number of prescription meds, OTC remedies, vitamins and dietary supplements into a limited space.
You can organize as you wish. Some people like to have each day’s medication in a separate labeled bag. Others may take a pill organizer. Whatever you do, be sure to pack it in your carry-on luggage. If you leave your pills in your checked luggage and the suitcase gets lost, you are no better off than if you forgot them. And you’re trying hard not to forget your medications.
Keep Pills in Their Original Containers for Overseas Travel:
If you are traveling abroad, you will have to take your medicines in their original containers. That’s because some countries have very stringent requirements about what substances are allowed. Unlabeled pills could be subject to confiscation or land you in prison, even if they are not controlled substances in the US. Japan, for example, does not permit some over-the-counter products such as Tylenol Cold, Sudafed, Nyquil, Advil Cold & Sinus and Lomotil. You can check embassy information for details.
Take a Copy of Your Prescription:
It is also a very good idea to carry a copy of your original prescription. These days, many doctors submit prescriptions electronically. As a result, patients no longer get a paper copy that they take to the pharmacy. Ask your provider to print you a copy of each prescription when it is issued. You can also ask the pharmacy to print a paper copy for you to carry along when you travel.
Don’t Forget Your Medications in the Glove Compartment:
If you are traveling by car, do not pack drugs in the glove box. A suitcase in the trunk is even worse. In the summer, temperatures can quickly rise to well over 100 degrees, and may destroy the drug or hasten its expiration. If the car will be sitting in the hot sun while you have lunch or see the sights, take the pill bottle with you. And don’t store medicine in hard to find nooks or crannies. Should you have an asthma attack, you’ll need to locate your inhaler quickly.
Traveling with Your Health Records:
It can also be helpful to keep a list of everything you take, including the dose and proper schedule. Because we now live in the electronic age, keeping this information on your smart phone can be convenient. Some apps that can do this for you include Medisafe, Medications (Apple watch and iOS), RoundHealth, Dosecast and EveryDose.
In addition to keeping track of your medications, you may want to also take along a summary of your health history. We offer a free Drug Safety Questionnaire and Medical History form for you to download and fill out. You will find it in the Health Guide section under the store tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. A little bit of planning can help ensure you enjoy a healthy, relaxing vacation and not a nightmare.
