The travel pharmacy
Luggage can often get lost while travelling. You can, however, take steps to prevent this from affecting your diabetes therapy. Here are some recommendations.
Depending on your therapy, you should carry the following in your hand luggage:
- A sufficient quantity of insulin and/or diabetes tablets (leave it in the original packaging)
- Any regular medication
- Blood glucose meter with test strips in sufficient quantities
- Lancing device and lancets in sufficient quantities
- Insulin pens and pen needles (or insulin syringes)
- A sufficient quantity of glucose and other fast-acting carbohydrates
- A glucagon syringe, if needed
- Urine test strips to check your acetone levels
- A letter from your doctor (in English), stating that you are a diabetic and what equipment and medication you need on your person at all times.
- Daily diabetes diary
- A list of the insulins available in the vacation country that correspond to your insulin
- Diabetic ID card in English and/or the language of the vacation country
Carry the following in your normal luggage:
- Addresses of international pharmacies
- Insulin syringes (empties only) and pens
- If applicable, an insulin prescription from your physician
- An insulated bag to cool the insulin
- Replacement batteries for the blood glucose meter
- Information to calculate the typical nutritional values in the vacation country
- Foot care set