Metformin and Holidays Abroad

[CivicFreak]

Hello!!

Later on this year I am flying to Mexico for a holiday. Thing is I'm not certain where I stand as far as my Metformin goes. Naturally I need to take this with me and as the flight is 10 hours I need to have some with me on the flight, and the rest in my luggage as I take 2000mg a day (1000mg in morning and 1000mg in evening)

Trouble is, am I likely to run into problems at the airport either in UK or Mexico? I was only diagnosed last December and haven't travelled anywhere since being on regular medication so not sure what the rules are here and struggling to find anything online. Some say that you have to have a doctor's letter stating that the medication is needed, and other say that you don't need to notify anyone and that it should be fine.

Has anyone travelled abroad with their medication, and did it cause any issues, or am I just being overly cautious?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Robin]

Hi Civicfreak. Tablets shouldn't cause you any problems, it's only injectables where you need sharps on board that need a doctor's letter.
(Having said that, there are a few tablets that you have to be careful with, like decongestants, some of which are banned in the Middle East and Japan)
I wouldn't personally put any of my medication in the hold, in case the airline send it somewhere else! Unless you want to put some spare in there in case you lose your hand luggage.
Taking a copy of your prescription with you is always a good idea, in case anything gets queried ( my OH takes three sorts of tablets with him, and has never been asked anything) or you need to get a prescription when you're there because something has happened to your supply.
Happy travelling!

 

[CivicFreak]

Hi Civicfreak. Tablets shouldn't cause you any problems, it's only injectables where you need sharps on board that need a doctor's letter.
(Having said that, there are a few tablets that you have to be careful with, like decongestants, some of which are banned in the Middle East and Japan)
I wouldn't personally put any of my medication in the hold, in case the airline send it somewhere else! Unless you want to put some spare in there in case you lose your hand luggage.
Taking a copy of your prescription with you is always a good idea, in case anything gets queried ( my OH takes three sorts of tablets with him, and has never been asked anything) or you need to get a prescription when you're there because something has happened to your supply.
Happy travelling!

Hi Robin,

Thanks for the quick reply!

I understand what you're saying about the possibility of luggage getting sent to a different place and although it hasn't happened to me yet, I know people who this has happened to so I get your point. I was planning on taking double - 2 weeks' worth in my hold luggage, and 2 weeks' worth in my hand luggage, for the exact reason you pointed out. Good shout about the prescription though, I never thought of that. I'll have to dig it out - hopefully I haven't lost it because I usually order my repeats through the SystmOnline service.

Cheers for the advice. Looking forward to this holiday, it's been a long time coming! 🙂

 

[Stitch147]

I've never had a problem with taking my meds abroad. I put all my meds in my hand luggage and take a copy of my prescription with me.

 

[Martin Canty]

Never had a problem, not even been asked about our tablets

 

[Martin9]

As far as Mexico goes, it is one country you can buy almost any medication with almost no laws governing what you buy, strong opioids, sleeping tablets, antibiotics readily sold over the counter, so I'm sure Metformin wouldn't be a problem over there..it's a bit like the Wild West .
Be careful about wandering away from tourist areas especially at night....