Travelling with diabetes medications

1. Medications and prescriptions

If you have a set travel plan and know how long you will be away from home, you need to be able to continue taking all your usual medications while you are on your travel adventure.

• Pack all of your current prescriptions and/or make sure your electronic e-scripts are safely stored on your smart phone.
• Take twice the amount of medication you’d need for the time you plan to be away – this provides a safeguard if plans should change.
• Keep an eye on how much medication is left each day you are away.

2. Medication storage

While you are travelling it’s important to keep your medications safe from loss and damage. Safe storage of insulin and other injectable medications is of particular importance

• Keep all your diabetes medications and other general medical supplies together, clearly labelled, and secure.
• Keep all medications in their original bottles and boxes with prescription labels attached.
• Insulin and some other injectable medicines (Ozempic, Trulicity, Mounjaro) must be stored correctly to work properly. Insulin can be kept at room temperature (below 25°C) for a maximum of one month. Spare insulin should always be kept in the fridge (never in the freezer) at 2°C - 8°C until the expiry date on the box/vial/pen.
• If you do not have a fridge, consider portable cooling devices that can be used to keep insulin at a stable temperature.
• Consider using a wireless smart sensor to monitor insulin/medication temperature.
• You can find a range of these products here: diabetesshop.com/collections/cooling-cases

3. Injection equipment 

If you take insulin or other injectable medications to manage your diabetes, then you need to think about the other equipment you will need.

• Take twice the number of pen needles or pump cartridges and lines you’d need for the time you think you’ll be away, then you’ll have plenty of spares if plans change.
• Keep injection equipment safe and secure with your medical supplies.
• Pack a sharps container that has a secure lid to store the used needles safely.

4. Glucose and ketone checking equipment

For most people with diabetes, keeping healthy and well means checking glucose levels. It’s important to be able to continue doing this while you are away.

• Take twice the amount of glucose checking strips you’d need for the time you think you’ll be away.
• Take spare batteries (and/or the charging cord) for your meter as these can sometimes be hard to find.
• If you have type 1 diabetes, you should always have some ketone checking strips available.
• Don’t forget extra lancets!
• If you use a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) device, take enough devices to cover the time you expect to be away plus half as many extra. This includes transmitters, batteries and other charging units that go with them.

5. Travel letter

If you are travelling by plane (domestic or international) make sure you have a travel letter from your Endocrinologist, GP or Diabetes Educator that identifies that you have diabetes. The letter should also include the names of the products and devices that you use and will be taking with you in your hand luggage.

• This is especially important when going through airport security as some devices such as insulin pumps and CGM cannot go through the x-ray scanning machines used in airports
• Check your device and the requirements outlined by the device company – it can be helpful to keep a copy of this with your travel documents.
• More information can be found here www.diabetesvic.org.au/travel

6. Sick day plan

Getting sick unexpectedly happens, even on holiday. Being prepared for this when you have diabetes can help reduce the risk for complications.

• Have an updated sick day action plan prepared by your diabetes educator and pack it safely with your other medical information and supplies
• If there are steps on your sick day plan that need special medications or supplies, make sure to pack these too.
• More information can be found here: www.diabetesvic.org.au/everyday-illness

7. Hypo treatment supplies

If you take diabetes medications that can cause hypoglycaemia, be well prepared to manage a hypo.

• Keep a stock of hypo treatments on hand that are separated from travel snacks.
• Check your glucose levels before you drive; they must be greater than 5mmol/L www.diabetesvic.org.au/diabetes-and-driving
• If you have type 1 diabetes, consider packing a Glucagon injection kit in case of emergency if a person travelling with you knows how to use this. It might also be a good time to review your hypo risk and management with your diabetes team before you set off on holiday.

8. Your diabetes care team 

Keep the contact details of your regular diabetes care team with you – this includes your GP, diabetes educator and Endocrinologist. This will make it easy for a different doctor to get more information about your health care if needed while you are travelling.

• Make a review appointment with your diabetes team before you leave so they know you will be away.
• Don’t forget to take your NDSS, Medicare and private health insurance details.

9. Health care in other places 

Across Australia we are lucky to have good access to health care, but in some rural and remote areas there may be less available options, and specialised diabetes care and knowledge may not be readily available.

• Medicare and NDSS are nation-wide services but may be less accessible in some places.
• Access to specialised diabetes supplies and equipment may be limited should you need a replacement. Rural and remote NDSS Access Points and pharmacies may not be able to get the medication or equipment you need without having to wait.
• Make sure your Ambulance membership is current in case you need help far from home.
• If you are travelling overseas, make sure you have travel insurance that covers your diabetes and is appropriate for the places you will be visiting.

10. Most importantly … 

Have fun and enjoy your travel adventures!