When you're traveling, your travel medications, prescriptions and supplements you carry to manage health while away from home. Also known as trip-specific drugs, they're not optional extras—they're part of your itinerary, just like your passport and charger. Whether you're crossing time zones, managing a chronic condition, or just trying to avoid getting sick, the right meds can mean the difference between a smooth trip and a hospital visit.
Jet lag isn’t something you just "get over." It’s a biological disruption, and melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Also known as sleep hormone, it only works if you take the right form at the right time. Time-released versions often make jet lag worse. Immediate-release melatonin, taken at the target bedtime in your new time zone, paired with sunlight exposure, is what science backs. Same goes for HIV medication while traveling, antiretrovirals like atazanavir that require strict timing and storage. Also known as traveling with antiretrovirals, it isn’t just about packing extra pills—you need to plan for heat, delays, and time shifts. Missing a dose or storing it wrong can compromise your health.
And what if your prescription runs out? medication shortage, when a drug isn’t available due to supply chain issues or manufacturing delays. Also known as drug shortage, it happens more often than you think, even abroad. Knowing your alternatives ahead of time—like switching from one statin to another, or finding an authorized generic for your antidepressant—can save you from panic. You don’t need to carry every possible drug, but you do need to know your options. That’s why the posts below cover everything from how to store light-sensitive eye drops in a hot country, to what to do when you miss a dose of warfarin on a long flight. You’ll find real advice on what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid the common mistakes travelers make. No fluff. No guesses. Just what you need to stay safe, healthy, and in control, no matter where you go.
