2. Manage Medications on the Move
Ensure that you have enough medication for the duration of the trip, and that you put your meds in your carry-on as well, says Nissa Keyashian, MD, a psychiatrist in private practice in San Jose, California.
She recommends the following strategies for managing medications as you travel:
- Keep medication in the original prescription bottles rather than a pill organizer, and make sure the name on your prescriptions is the same as what’s on the ID you use for travel.
- Bring documentation, such as a letter from your doctor, to show that a medication is prescribed for you specifically, especially for controlled substances or injectable medications like insulin or epinephrine (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, Adrenaclick).
- Find out if there are regulations in other countries regarding certain medications. Check the American embassy website for your destination and any layover stops.
- Find pharmacies along your travel route beforehand, in case meds get lost or damaged.
- Set alarms on your watch or phone to ensure meds are taken at the right time and with consistency.
- Do the math to schedule each dose across time zones, so there isn’t a significant change from your usual dosing timeframe.
“Reach out to your physician or health provider in advance of the trip about any concerns you may have,” says Dr. Keyashian.
You can also ask them about any medications that might be beneficial to have, but that you don’t usually take. For example, if you’re concerned about sleep disruption, your doctor may prescribe a sleep aid that’s compatible with your bipolar medication.
If you’re traveling with someone else, it can be helpful to give them a medication schedule for you as a backup, says Naomi Torres-Mackie, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
“In general, if any changes need to be made to your medication in advance of your trip, it’s better to start that at home,” she says. “That way, you can adjust for any side effects and handle them before your trip rather than when you’re traveling.”
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