Your Medications When Traveling in Europe

If you are traveling with medications--I've just helped someone through a crisis and have some tips for you. Before you travel to Europe, make sure you carry not only the medicines themselves, but make sure you know the active ingredients in each one. Make a list. Just because a US doctor prescribes something with a generic name doesn't mean you can replace that medicine in Europe. If you know the scientific name of the drug you're taking, at least the name of the active ingredient, you have some chance of replacing a medicine you've forgotten, or getting the same medication with a different name in case you're stuck. I was able to purchase some important heart medicine for my mother after getting the scientific name and details, and going to a pharmacy and talking to the pharmacist. If possible, always bring the prescription with you to Europe, and know exactly what it calls for. For more hints on preparing for a safe trip to Europe, see our Europe Travel 101 Timeline.