Taking medication on holiday

For more information, visit the Parkinson’s UK website (last updated May 2026).

Adjusting your medication routine

When you travel abroad, you may need to change when you take your medication, especially if you cross time zones. You might need to take it at different times of day, but try to keep the same gaps between doses. Your doctor may suggest temporary changes to help keep your symptoms under control.

Everyone’s medication routine is different, so it’s very important to speak to your GP, specialist, or Parkinson’s nurse before travelling. They can help you plan the best way to take your medication while travelling and once you arrive.

Travelling with medication

Always carry your medication in the original, labelled packaging and keep it in your hand luggage. Bring a medical certificate or letter from your specialist or Parkinson’s nurse explaining what the medication is for. This can help if you’re questioned at airport security or customs.

While on holiday, keep some medication in your day bag and some safely at your accommodation.

It’s also helpful to carry a written list of your medications and doses. This can be useful if you need medical care while abroad.

Some medications are sensitive to heat or sunlight. Check with your GP, specialist, or Parkinson’s nurse if your medication needs special storage, such as a cool bag or an insulated case.

Checking rules and restrictions

Before travelling, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medicine contains a controlled drug. If it does, check the rules for the country you’re visiting with the embassy or High Commission before you travel. You may need to show that the medicine is yours, using a prescription or a letter from your doctor.

It may also help to find out whether your medication is available locally and what it’s called in that country. This can be useful if you lose or run out of your medication.

Ask your GP for an extra prescription to cover more than the length of your trip. For example, if your holiday is 2 weeks, take enough medication for at least 4 weeks. This protects you if travel plans are disrupted.

Deep brain stimulation

If you have an implanted pulse generator for DBS, speak to your specialist or Parkinson’s nurse before travelling.

You can travel by plane, but it’s important to tell airport security that you have a DBS device and carry a card that explains this. Some airport scanners can affect electronic devices. Keep your handheld programmer with you in case your stimulator is switched off by mistake.

If your unit is rechargeable, make sure it’s fully charged and working well before you travel. Bring your charger for trips longer than a few days.