TAMPA, FL -- With many people taking off for the Christmas holiday shortly, this is a good time to talk with a local pharmacist about how to travel with medications.
41 million Americans will travel fifty miles or more from home this holiday season. Travelers like Robert Bailey have to pack more than just clothing and toiletries. Robert also has to pack medications. “I pack mine in a regular container and it goes in my carry on baggage only."
Exactly right, says CVS pharmacist Susan Gordon. But, she warns: don't consolidate your meds. “Don't store your medications all in one container because it can be come confusing afterwards if you're not sure what all of your pills look like and what they are for. “
Joyce Stiefle has the right idea. “I put my medicine in a strip for each day and label what color and shape of each pill is and tape it to back of box.”
While those two tips may seem a bit obvious, did you know temperature may change some medications?
Gordon says, “There are some medications that have temperature requirements. Some meds need to be refrigerated, so having an ice pack is a good thing when traveling when. And keeping medications in your pocket is a bad thing because keeping it close to body temperature actually may cause it to break down.”
And don't forget to adjust your dosing schedule so that you can take your medication on time if you are traveling through time zones. This is important because not taking certain medications on time will have rather immediate effects on your health. For example if you accidentally skip taking your blood pressure medicine, Gordon says, “It could cause an elevated blood pressure.”
Susan says the number one problem her customers have during holidays if forgetting or losing medications while they travel. She says most big pharmacies have locations all over the country and most pharmacists will provide refills while you're on the go.
Finally, always pack a few days extra supply in case you get delayed at the airport due to weather.
