Travel Information

Keep Your Medication With You

Do not put essential medication in checked baggage.

Keep your medication, emergency medication and any equipment you may need during the journey in your hand luggage or personal bag, where it is accessible to you.

Where possible:

• Keep medicines in their original labelled packaging.
• Make sure your name is clearly shown on prescription medication.
• Carry a copy of your prescription.
• Keep your doctor's letter or medical documentation easily accessible.
• Consider carrying a second supply separately if you are travelling for an extended period.
• Check that you have sufficient medication for your return journey as well as your time away.

Irish Government travel advice recommends carrying medication in sufficient quantities for the trip and extra medication in case of unexpected delays. DFA

Travelling with Hydrocortisone

If you have adrenal insufficiency and take hydrocortisone replacement, careful preparation is particularly important.

Before travelling, make sure you understand your individual sick-day rules and emergency steroid plan. If you have been prescribed an emergency hydrocortisone injection, ensure that you know how and when it should be used and that it is available throughout your journey.

Consider carrying:

Never rely on being able to obtain hydrocortisone at your destination. Availability, prescribing requirements and brand names can vary between countries.

If you become seriously unwell while travelling and have adrenal insufficiency, follow your individual emergency plan and seek urgent medical assistance.

Medical Documentation

A letter from your GP, endocrinologist or other healthcare professional can be particularly useful when travelling.

The letter should ideally explain:

A copy of your prescription can also be useful.

If travelling to a country where another language is commonly used, you may wish to carry a translated version of important medical information, particularly information about adrenal insufficiency and emergency treatment.

Travelling With Needles, Syringes or Injection Equipment

If you need to carry needles, syringes or an emergency injection kit, check the requirements of your airline and the airports you will be travelling through before departure.

Carry documentation confirming that the equipment is medically necessary.

At airport security, be prepared to explain that the medication and equipment are required for your medical condition.

EU aviation security rules allow essential medicines needed during a journey to be carried in quantities greater than the normal 100 ml liquid restriction, although passengers may be asked to provide evidence that they are medically

Always check the specific requirements of your departure airport, airline and destination, as procedures can vary.

Travelling With Medication to Another Country

Medication that is legal and routinely prescribed in Ireland may be subject to different rules in another country.

Before travelling internationally, check whether your medication is permitted in your destination country and whether there are restrictions on the amount you can carry.

This is particularly important for medicines that may be classified as controlled drugs.

The Department of Foreign Affairs advises travellers to check with the relevant embassy or consulate if they are unsure whether their medication can be taken into a particular country. DFA

For controlled medicines, additional documentation or certification may be required. The Irish Department of Health also provides specific information about travelling with controlled medicines. Gov.ie

Do this well before your departure date, as obtaining the necessary documentation may take time.

Travelling Through Airport Security

Airport security procedures can sometimes cause additional anxiety when travelling with essential medication.

To make the process easier:

• Keep medication in its original packaging.
• Keep your prescription and medical letter readily available.
• Keep emergency injection equipment together with the relevant medication.
• Tell security staff if you are carrying medically necessary medication or equipment.
• Allow additional time at the airport if you expect to need assistance.
• Check your airline's requirements before travelling.

If you require liquid medication, essential medicines are exempt from the EU's normal liquid restrictions when they are required for use during the journey, although you may be asked to demonstrate their authenticity or medical necessity. Mobility and Transport

Travelling Across Time Zones

Crossing time zones can make managing medication more complicated.

If you take medication at specific times during the day, speak with your endocrinologist, endocrine nurse specialist, GP or pharmacist before travelling about how to manage your medication schedule.

This is particularly important if you:

• Take multiple hormone replacement medications.
• Take medication at specific times each day.
• Have adrenal insufficiency.
• Are travelling across several time zones.
• Are taking medication overnight.

Do not make significant changes to your medication schedule without professional advice.

For long-haul travel, some people find it helpful to keep their watch or phone set to their home time temporarily, particularly when managing medication during the flight. Your healthcare professional can advise you on the best approach for your individual treatment.

Keeping Medication at the Correct Temperature

Some pituitary medications, including certain growth hormone preparations, may require refrigeration or specific temperature storage.

Always follow the storage instructions provided with your particular medication.

Before travelling:

• Check the manufacturer's storage instructions.
• Ask your pharmacist or healthcare team how your medication should be transported.
• Contact your airline if you need to carry temperature-sensitive medication during a flight.
• Contact your accommodation in advance to check whether a refrigerator is available.
• Use an appropriate insulated medication travel bag or cooling system if recommended for your medication.
• Avoid placing medication directly against frozen ice packs unless the manufacturer's instructions specifically allow this.

Do not assume that all medication should be kept below the same temperature. Storage requirements differ between medicines.

If your medication has been exposed to temperatures outside its recommended storage range, contact your pharmacist or healthcare team for advice before using it.

Travel Insurance

Having appropriate travel insurance is particularly important if you live with a long-term or pre-existing medical condition.

When arranging insurance, tell the insurer about all relevant pre-existing medical conditions and medications and check that they are covered by the policy.

Your policy should provide appropriate medical cover for the activities you plan to undertake, as well as emergency assistance and, where necessary, medical repatriation.

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends comprehensive travel insurance and advises checking that your policy covers your planned activities and medical needs. DFA

Keep your insurer's emergency assistance telephone number with you while travelling.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are ordinarily resident in Ireland and travelling temporarily within the EU, EEA or Switzerland, an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can provide access to necessary public healthcare on the same basis as people insured in the country you are visiting.

Each member of your travelling party should have their own EHIC.

However, an EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. It does not cover everything, including private healthcare and medical repatriation. DFA

Apply for or renew an EHIC – HSE

Travelling With Children

If you are travelling with a child who has a pituitary condition, plan their medication and emergency arrangements in advance.

Make sure that:

• Medication is readily accessible.
• Parents or caregivers know the child's medication schedule.
• Any emergency medication is immediately available.
• Other adults travelling with the child understand what to do if the child becomes unwell.
• A medical letter and emergency plan are available.
• School, activity or tour staff are informed where appropriate.
• You have sufficient medication for the entire trip and unexpected delays.

If your child has adrenal insufficiency, ensure that anyone responsible for their care understands their sick-day rules and emergency steroid plan.

Take Extra Supplies

Travel delays can happen for many reasons, including cancelled flights, missed connections, lost luggage or unexpected extensions to your stay.

As a precaution, take more medication than you expect to need, based on advice from your healthcare professional.

Consider keeping essential medication in more than one secure location while travelling, while ensuring that your main supply remains with you and accessible.

Never pack all of your essential medication in checked baggage.

Food, Drinks & Staying Well

Depending on your condition and medication, you may find it useful to carry water and suitable snacks during your journey.

This can be particularly helpful when travelling by air, train, coach or car, where access to food and drinks may be limited or delayed.

Plan ahead for long journeys, excursions and days when you may be away from your accommodation.

Sharps and Disposal

If you use needles or other sharps, check how they can be safely stored and disposed of at your destination.

Do not put used needles or syringes loose into normal rubbish.

Before travelling, ask your pharmacist, healthcare provider or accommodation provider about appropriate arrangements for sharps disposal.

Before You Leave – Travel Checklist

Medication
☐ Enough medication for the entire trip
☐ Extra medication for unexpected delays
☐ Emergency medication
☐ Medication in original labelled packaging
☐ Prescription or medication list

Medical information
☐ Doctor/consultant letter
☐ Emergency care plan
☐ Medical alert card or identification
☐ Translated medical information if appropriate

Travel
☐ Travel insurance covering pre-existing conditions
☐ EHIC, if applicable
☐ Airline requirements checked
☐ Destination country's medication requirements checked
☐ Medication storage requirements checked
☐ Accommodation refrigerator/cooling arrangements confirmed, if required

Emergency planning
☐ Know what to do if you become unwell
☐ Emergency medication accessible
☐ Emergency contact numbers saved
☐ Know where to access medical care at your destination

Most Importantly

Having a pituitary condition should not stop you from travelling. Good preparation can give you greater confidence and help you manage unexpected situations while you are away from home.

Your individual medication and emergency requirements will depend on your diagnosis and treatment. Always discuss specific travel plans with your healthcare team before you travel.

Useful Irish Travel Resources

• Department of Foreign Affairs – Travel Insurance & Health — information on travel insurance, medication, EHIC and health considerations.
• Department of Foreign Affairs – Know Before You Go — country-specific travel advice and information.
• HSE – European Health Insurance Card — information about applying for an EHIC.
• Department of Health – Travelling with controlled medicines — information about controlled medicines and international travel.

Pituitary Ireland disclaimer: This information is provided for general information and preparation purposes and does not replace advice from your doctor, endocrinologist, endocrine nurse specialist, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. Medication requirements, airline procedures and rules for bringing medicines into countries can change. Always check the current requirements before travelling.

Additional Resources

International Travel Letters