If you are taking regular medicines, make sure that you have enough to last for your whole trip, even if your return gets delayed by a couple of days. If you are going for a long time, check whether you can get the medicines you need in the country you are going to, as your doctor can normally prescribe only a limited amount. The trade names of some medicines may vary from country to country, so it is helpful to record the drug (generic) names of your medicines, as well as the trade (brand) names. For example, the drug morphine has many different trade or brand names, such as MXL or MST.

If you are travelling across international time zones, it is likely that the shift in time will affect the times that you take your regular medicines. If there are only a couple of hours of time difference, you may want to continue taking the medicines at the same times you have been (UK time). But, if there is a greater time difference from UK time you may end up taking the medicines at inconvenient times of the day or night. It may be easier to gradually adjust the times that you need to take your regular medicines to fit in with the local time. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you to plan adjusting the times of your medicines.

Some countries limit the amount of particular drugs that you can take into the country. It is important to check with the country’s High Commission or Embassy about any restrictions they may have on taking certain medicines in or out.

If you need to take some types of medicine (such as painkillers like morphine) in or out of the UK, you will need a letter from your doctor. This will also be helpful if you have to take syringes, needles, or portable medicine pumps with you. The letter should say

• your name and address
• your date of birth
• your dates of travel in and out of the country
• the country you are visiting
• the medicines you are taking, including the doses and the total amounts 

If you are travelling for more than three months, you may need a licence from the Home Office in order to be able to take certain drugs out of the country. If you are not sure whether you need a letter or a licence for your medicines, check with your doctor.

To get a licence, your doctor will need to complete a form and send it to the Home Office Drugs Licensing. You can download a form from the Home Office Drugs Licensing website or phone 0207 035 4848

The Home Office will usually need at least two weeks to process applications for a licence.

You can get information on the maximum amounts of controlled drugs that can be taken out of the UK from the Home Office Drugs Licensing.

All medicines, and covering letters and licences for controlled drugs, should be carried in your hand luggage as customs officers will usually need to see them. Medicines should be kept in their original packaging. With medicines that are not controlled drugs it may be helpful to carry one set in your hand luggage and another in your suitcase. Then, if one set goes missing you have the other.

If you are taking medicines that need to be kept cool, you can get small cool bags from your chemist for the journey. It is helpful to check with your hotel whether there will be a fridge in your room. If not, ask them if there is somewhere secure where your medicines can be stored safely.