(HealthNewsDigest.com) – WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2011 — As the winter travel season approaches, the American Pharmacists Association encourages consumers to talk with their pharmacist about their medications before they pack their bags. This will help ensure each person knows the best way to pack their medications, what to do if the medication is lost and anything to be aware of with travel and the medication. The short conversation could save each person a lot of holiday trouble further down the road if they do not prepare correctly.
Americans are known to travel a lot during the holiday and winter season. According to the Bureau of Transportation and Statistics, the number of long distance trips – more than 50 miles – just during the six-day Thanksgiving travel period, increases by 54 percent. Travel disrupts healthcare routines and the normal things consumers do to take care of themselves – such as adhering to a medication regimen – can sometimes fall from the top list of priorities.
Here are some tips to help you maintain a healthy medication regime throughout the travel season:
— Practice good hygiene, get rest and eat well. Frequent
hand-washing/cleansing, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer and coughing
/sneezing into your sleeve or a tissue will protect you and others. In
addition, try not to overdo it and not get run down, eat right and drink
plenty of water (and depending upon the location you may need to use
bottled water) are good practices that can reduce your risk of getting
sick.
— Ask your pharmacist if there are any foods or beverages that conflict
with your medicines. You may be more inclined to eat unfamiliar foods
when traveling to new cities or foreign countries.
— Be careful or avoid drinking alcohol, especially when flying or visiting
cities in higher altitudes. Alcohol can interact with many prescription
and over-the-counter medicines.
— Have a plan for adjusting your medication regimen. Travel may require
you to adjust your medication regimen, or when you take your medication,
for time and routine changes. If you are traveling across the country
and would normally take a medication twice a day, for example, you may
need to adjust that schedule to take your medications approximately
twelve hours apart–which may be earlier or later than your first
bedtime or morning on another coast. Ask your pharmacist about how to
alter your schedule to fit your health-care needs.
— Carry an updated personal medication and vaccination record with you.
This is a list of your prescription, over-the-counter and herbal
medications, how you take them, and why. This list should also contain
an up-to-date history of your vaccinations. If you are unexpectedly
admitted into a hospital, or must see a healthcare provider while
traveling, the list can help them understand your current treatments. To
download a personal medication list www.pharmacist.com/pmr.
— Beware of “Drugged Driving.” Certain medications can impair perception,
judgment and reaction times causing a hazardous driving situation. Talk
with your pharmacist about side effects your medication may cause and
whether you can adjust your dosing schedule to avoid times you may need
to operate a vehicle.
— Get up-to-date on any vaccines you may need. Over the holiday season you
will run into many people who could possibly be sick. Make sure to get
your annual flu shot. If you are traveling overseas, make sure you have
met all of the travel vaccine recommendations put out by the CDC.
— Pack a “Preventative Medicine” Kit. Talk with your pharmacist about any
over-the-counter medications you should pack for the area of the world
you are traveling to or what you are planning to do. Basics include:
anti-diarrhea, anti-nausea, antihistamine, anti-motion sickness, mild
laxative or stool softener, medicine for pain or fever and
antibacterial/antifungal cream/ointment.
— Bring more medication than you expect to use. Talk to your pharmacist
about the possibility of obtaining a medication “vacation supply” from
your insurance company, he/she may be able to help. Being prepared for
unexpected extended travel helps ensure safe and effective medication
use. It is also good to know your insurance company’s policy on
medication transfers and replacement supplies if your medication is
lost.
— Organize a health kit that contains all of your prescription and
over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, vitamins and minerals.
Ensure you store medications correctly and pack ample medication and
equipment. Some medications have special storage instructions or require
specific dosing equipment. If you will be flying to your destination or
crossing borders, always carry your medications in the original bottles
in your carry-on luggage.
About the American Pharmacists AssociationThe American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, is a 501 (c)(6) organization, representing more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States.
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