What medicines can I take through customs?

OTC medicines can be carried without restrictions for personal use. Prescription medicines require a prescription or medical certificate — ideally in English. Controlled substances (opioid painkillers, benzodiazepines) have additional regulations — check the destination country's rules before travelling.

How many medicines can I take in hand luggage on a plane?

Solid medicines (tablets, capsules) can be carried without quantity limits in hand luggage. Liquid medicines (syrups, drops) are subject to the 100 ml per container rule in a clear bag. Exceptions apply for medicines needed during the flight — carry a medical certificate.

Can I buy medicines abroad without my home prescription?

It depends on the country and the medicine. In the EU, mutual recognition of prescriptions exists but is not always honoured in practice. Outside the EU, home prescriptions are generally not accepted. OTC medicines are available everywhere, but brand names differ — know the active ingredient names (INN).

How can I share my medicine list with a foreign doctor?

In mojApteczka you can generate a QR link with your medicine list and share it with a doctor abroad. The list includes international active ingredient names (INN), making communication easy regardless of language.

Travel Medicine Kit — What to Pack for International Travel

You are packing your suitcase for a holiday abroad. Passport — check. Phone charger — check. Power adapter — check. Medicines? “I will just buy something locally if I need to.” That is the moment where many travellers make a mistake that can cost them dearly — both figuratively and literally.

Abroad, you cannot buy prescription medicines without a local prescription. You will not find ibuprofen under the brand name you recognise. The pharmacy may be closed on Sunday. And if you fall ill in a small town on the coast of Sicily or on a Greek island, the nearest medical facility could be an hour’s drive away.

A well-prepared travel medicine kit is not excessive caution — it is a basic part of trip preparation that takes fifteen minutes and can save your entire holiday.

Why a travel medicine kit matters more than you think

At home, when something ails you, you open your medicine cabinet. On holiday, that cabinet does not exist. And the need for a medicine almost always strikes at the worst possible moment — at night, on a weekend, far from any pharmacy.

The most common medical situations travellers face are:

Headache and fever — travel fatigue, aggressive air conditioning, jet lag and time-zone shifts.
Gastrointestinal problems — unfamiliar food, different water quality, dietary changes. Travellers’ diarrhoea affects 30 to 50 percent of tourists visiting developing countries.
Cuts, scrapes, and blisters — active holidays, sand, coral, uneven terrain.
Allergic reactions — new allergens, insect bites and stings, sun sensitivity.
Common cold and sore throat — air conditioning running at full blast for hours on end.

Every one of these situations calls for a medicine you may not have on hand. And sourcing medicines abroad can be surprisingly complicated — especially outside Europe.

Medicine checklist for international travel

Pain relief and fever reduction

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) — the universal analgesic and antipyretic. Safe for the vast majority of adults and children when dosed correctly.
Ibuprofen — effective for pain, fever, and inflammation. Take with food to protect the stomach lining.
Paediatric formulations (liquid suspension, suppositories) — essential if you are travelling with children. Dosing by weight is critical; carry the information leaflet.

Digestive system

Loperamide (Imodium) — the first-line treatment for acute travellers’ diarrhoea. It will not address the underlying cause, but it controls symptoms when you need to function.
Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — sachets to dissolve in water. Indispensable for preventing dehydration, especially in children and older adults.
Activated charcoal — for mild food poisoning and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Antacid or proton pump inhibitor — if you are prone to heartburn or acid reflux, pack what you normally use.

Wound care and skin protection

Waterproof adhesive plasters — in assorted sizes. Blisters from new sandals are practically a travel rite of passage.
Antiseptic solution or spray — octenidine-based products or povidone-iodine pen for wound disinfection.
Elastic bandage — for sprains, strains, and compression.
Sunscreen — SPF 50 for the face, SPF 30 minimum for the body. Reapply every two hours and after swimming.
After-sun cream — containing panthenol or aloe vera for sunburn relief.
Insect repellent — formulations containing DEET (20-30 percent) or icaridin are the most effective. In tropical destinations, this is non-negotiable.
Anti-itch gel — dimetindene (Fenistil) or hydrocortisone 0.5 percent for insect bite reactions.

Allergy management

Oral antihistamine — cetirizine or loratadine. Non-drowsy second-generation antihistamines are preferred so they do not impair your day.
Antihistamine eye drops — for allergic conjunctivitis triggered by pollen, dust, or new environments.
Hydrocortisone 0.5% cream — for localised allergic skin reactions, minor rashes, and contact dermatitis.

Prescription medicines

All medicines you take regularly — in their original packaging with a legible label. Never transfer prescription medicines into unmarked containers.
Medical certificate — a letter from your doctor listing your medicines by their International Nonproprietary Names (INN), with dosages, frequency, and the medical indication. Ideally written in English.
Supply for the full trip plus three extra days — to account for delayed return flights, missed connections, or extended stays.

Additional items

Digital thermometer — compact, travel-sized. Fever is the first symptom you need to quantify accurately.
Nail scissors or tweezers — pack these in checked luggage only; they are not permitted through security in hand luggage.
Hand sanitiser — alcohol-based gel (at least 60 percent ethanol). Invaluable when soap and water are not available.

Customs regulations — what you can and cannot carry

Regulations vary between countries, but the general principles are consistent.

Within the EU/EEA: Free movement of medicines for personal use applies. Prescriptions issued in one EU member state are theoretically recognised across the bloc, but in practice not every pharmacy will honour a foreign prescription. Medicines containing controlled substances require a Schengen certificate — a standardised form that your prescribing doctor can issue.

Outside the EU: Most countries permit OTC medicines without restriction for personal quantities. Prescription medicines require a medical certificate in English. Some countries enforce extremely strict rules on controlled substances. Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore, for example, prohibit or heavily restrict substances that are routine in Europe — even codeine can be banned. Entering these countries with an undeclared controlled substance can result in arrest.

General rules to follow:

Carry medicines in their original packaging with a readable label.
Keep a medical certificate for every prescription medicine you carry.
Research the specific regulations of your destination country before departure.
Liquid medicines in hand luggage are subject to the 100 ml per container rule in aviation security. If you need a larger volume during the flight, carry a medical certificate to present at the security checkpoint.

Picture this scenario: you are on holiday in Spain, you feel unwell, and you visit a local clinic. The doctor asks what medicines you take regularly. You try to translate your medicine names from your home language — but the brand names are completely different in every country. “Apap” means nothing to a Spanish pharmacist. Neither does “Nurofen” in Japan. Communication breaks down precisely when it matters most.

In mojApteczka you can generate a QR link containing your complete medicine list and share it with a doctor anywhere in the world. The list displays International Nonproprietary Names (INN) of active ingredients, dosages, and expiry dates. The doctor scans the code with their phone and instantly sees your full medication profile — no language barrier, no guesswork, no fumbling through blister packs.

This is particularly valuable if:

You take multiple regular medications (for hypertension, diabetes, thyroid conditions, or other chronic diseases).
You are travelling with children who have prescribed medicines.
You are accompanying an elderly parent or relative who travels with you.

Having your medicine list accessible in a universally readable format is not a convenience — it is a clinical safety measure. Medication errors caused by miscommunication are among the most common preventable adverse events in healthcare, and they become far more likely when a language barrier is involved.

Pre-departure checklist

Before every international trip, work through these six points:

Prescription medicine supply — enough for the entire trip plus a three-day buffer.
Medical certificate — a doctor’s letter listing all medicines in English with INN names.
Expiry dates — scan your medicines in mojApteczka and verify that nothing expires during your trip. The expiry date alert feature will flag any issues in seconds.
OTC travel kit — paracetamol, ibuprofen, loperamide, oral rehydration salts, plasters, antiseptic, sunscreen.
Health insurance — European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for EU travel, or a comprehensive travel insurance policy for destinations outside the EU.
Customs regulations — confirm that every medicine in your bag is legal in your destination country.

You do not need to build this list from scratch. If your medicines are already logged in mojApteczka, you open the app and immediately see what you have, what is still in date, and what you are missing — before you even leave the house. You can also download the Android app from Google Play.

Medical disclaimer: This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with a physician or pharmacist. Regulations governing the transport of medicines vary between countries — always verify current rules before travelling.

Have questions or suggestions? Contact us at: kontakt@mojapteczka.pl