Traveling with medication takes planning

A recent AARP study showed that 75 percent of its members have taken trips of at least 50 miles from their home involving an overnight stay.

The AARP is encouraging its members — and travelers of all ages — to plan travel carefully if they take medication.

“Medications are a lifeline for many travelers. But safely transporting them is most often last on peoples’ packing lists,” said Dr. Byron Thames, occupational health consultant and AARP board member.

Thames has some simple tips for traveling safely with medications:

• Keep medications in a carry-on bag. Getting separated from luggage can be a hassle, but it can turn into a matter of life or death when critical medications are in a lost suitcase.

• Carry an extra week’s supply of your medications in the event your travel arrangements change.

• Keep medication in the original containers. This will make it easier for customs officials to inspect it. If you have a medical emergency, it is easier to determine what medications you have been taking.

• If you take narcotic prescription drugs or travel with needles, ask your doctor to provide you with a letter explaining the reason why you have those drugs and paraphernalia. This is especially helpful with customs officials.

• Some countries have different regulations about the types of medicines that can be brought in. Some over-the-counter drugs may be considered a controlled substance in other countries. Contact the appropriate embassy before you travel to check whether your medication is acceptable.

• If medicine needs to be stored and kept cool, it may be useful to take a small insulated container, such as a lunch box, on the trip.

• Keep a list or record of all the medications taken and the condition it treats in the event you need medical attention while away from home.

AARP has a personal medication record form that can be used to list all the medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements. A copy of the form is available at www.aarp.org/usingmeds.