Can you take Prescription Medications into other Countries?

In this day and age, it is even more important to know how to take prescription medications to other countries. We have all seen the footage of the drug smuggler who has swallowed capsules of narcotic drugs, and we know that this is wrong. However, taking some prescription medications into other countries can also be wrong – unless you do it correctly. What might be legal in one country, may not be legal in another. However, if you do it correctly, then you will have an amazing holiday. If you don’t, you may end up watching the smuggler as he or she tries to pass those capsules through their system.


Get organized to take your Prescription Medications with you


Travelling overseas with topamax medication, prescription, vitamins, or/and medical equipment means that you need to get organized before you go. This also applies to over the counter medications. If you are planning on taking any medication out of the country, you need to be organized in advance.

This guide will help you to take the prescription and non-prescription medications that you need with you, and will stop you getting held up at customs, fined or even jailed.


Why so much caution over Prescription Medications?

Strong painkillers or other drugs are open to abuse or sale on the black market. You do not want the headache of being held at customs or getting fined and imprisoned. Some types of prescription medicines are regarded as illegal substances, but you will be OK if you do things properly.

Some painkillers, which can be bought over the counter in your own country, may well be prohibited in other countries. Panadol, a paracetamol that we can buy easily in any super market is illegal in some countries. To take a common panadol into certain countries requires some planning.


Why take my own medicine abroad?

Other than the obvious that you need it, you will need to take your own prescribed and over the counter medications, because the country that you are going to may not have it. The longer you are travelling for, the more you will need to take. Finding a doctor, explaining to a doctor, and getting the correct medication in other countries is not easy. I am not underestimating that. It can be fraught with difficulties not the least language barriers, but also proving why you need a particular prescription medication.

HINT: Take ample prescription medication overseas on holidays; it is easier than running out and trying to replace it.

How to take prescription medication overseas on holidays


Talk to you Doctor about the prescription medications

Talk to your doctor or a travel medicine specialist. Discuss any prescription or over the counter medicines that you will need to take with you, and take only those you require for your own personal use. Remember to talk about the over the counter medications or vitamin supplements as well.

Talk to the Embassy or Consulate

If you or your doctor have any doubts about whether there are any restrictions on taking the medicines you need into the countries you are planning to visit, you should contact the appropriate Embassy or Consulate of the country you are visiting to ensure the medicine is legal there. For some countries, you need permission for codeine.

Get an Authoritative Letter

Carry a letter from your doctor with your prescription medicines. The letter should include the name of the medicine, how much you are taking, and state that the medicine is for your personal use. It MUST be signed and preferably in blue pen, so it does not look like you have forged it.

Keep all Drugs in Original Packaging

All prescription medicines should be kept in their original packaging displaying your name and dosage requirements.

 Keep Prescription Medications in your Hand Luggage AND Checked Baggage

You will need it, and also, if your luggage gets lost your medications will be with you. In saying that, it doesn’t hurt to have some in their original packaging also in your luggage in case you get robbed on the streets. This may sound gloomy and is unlikely to happen, but if it did you will not have lost all of your particular drugs.

Take sufficient Prescription Medications

Take sufficient Prescription Medications wherever possible. Alternatively, you will need a detailed letter from your doctor detailing the medication, dosage and what it is for, especially if it is a painkiller or another drug a doctor may be wary of prescribing.

Keeping prescription medications refrigerated on a flight

Some airlines will allow you to put them in the fridge during the flight but others won’t because of hygiene reasons. You need to check with the carrier in advance with your airline carrier. Be up front and let them know what you require.

You can also use gel-based ice packs, which stay cold for a long time, or snap-lock bags and ask the flight attendants for ice.

Ice packs should be exempt from rules about carrying liquids on flights, but you do need to declare these at customs.

You can buy cooler medicine bags at travel stores and over the Internet. These are good if you need to carry a range of vials or containers or have very temperature-sensitive medicine.

Buying over the counter medication overseas

While you may be able to buy legal drugs over the counter in your own country, that will not be the case wherever you travel. They will have different names, and not look like the ones you pick up off the shelf when doing your grocery shopping.

Play it safe when Taking prescription medication overseas on holidays.

  1. Check with your doctor
  2. Check with the Embassy if necessary
  3. Get a detailed letter from your doctor
  4. Keep prescription medications and over the counter medication in original packaging.
  5. Declare everything. Be open and honest.
  6. Separate your prescription medications, so you have a backup plan.


Travelling with prescription medications, and over the counter medications including vitamins requires planning. It happens every day, and people who do the right thing have nothing to worry about.


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