TRAVEL ADVICE FOR PATIENTS TAKING TRT MEDICATION ABROAD
THE AUTHOR: DR. ADAM STATEN
Dr Adam Staten is a NHS GP and part of the Clinical Governance team here at One Day Tests. Dr. Staten trained at Cambridge University and King's College London. He has served as a Medical Officer in the British Army. Dr. Staten is a firm believer in educating people about common health problems to empower them to understand and manage their own health.
USE YOUR MEDICINE AS PRESCRIBED
Testosterone is a prescribed medicine and must be used only as prescribed. Do not increase your dose, take an additional dose, or “dose ahead” to cover a period of travel unless this has been specifically discussed and agreed with your clinician.
CARRY YOUR MEDICINE IN HAND LUGGAGE
You should carry your TRT medication and injection consumables in your hand luggage, not in your checked luggage. This helps reduce the risk of your medicine or consumables being lost, damaged, delayed, or exposed to unsuitable temperatures during travel.
TAKE ENOUGH CONSUMABLES WITH YOU
Please ensure you take enough injection consumables for the full duration of your trip, including:
Needles for drawing up and administration.
Syringes.
Alcohol wipes, where used.
A suitable sharps bin or sharps-safe container for safe disposal of used needles and syringes.
You should not rely on being able to obtain needles, syringes, or sharps disposal equipment while abroad.
KEEP YOUR MEDICINE IN ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING
Where possible, keep your TRT medication in its original packaging, with the pharmacy dispensing label attached. This helps show that the medicine has been supplied to you legally and is for your personal use.
CARRY EVIDENCE OF YOUR PRESCRIPTION
Testosterone is a controlled drug in the UK and may also be controlled or restricted in other countries. Patients travelling abroad with TRT medication should carry evidence that the medicine has been prescribed for them. Before travelling, please request a copy of your current prescription by emailing: hello@onedaytests.com
This is important because your dose may have changed since your last TRT medicine was supplied. Your current prescription provides more accurate supporting evidence if you are asked about your medication while travelling.
CHECK THE RULES BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
Medicine and controlled drug laws can vary between countries and may change over time. This includes the country you are travelling to, as well as any countries you pass through in transit.
Patients should err on the side of caution and make sure they are properly prepared before travelling. This is particularly important when carrying testosterone, needles, syringes, or other injection-related consumables.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL, PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE:
Enough TRT medication for your trip.
Your medicine in the original packaging where possible.
The pharmacy dispensing label attached where possible.
A copy of your current prescription.
Enough needles, syringes, wipes, and injection consumables for the full trip.
A suitable sharps bin or sharps-safe container.
Checked any relevant rules for the country you are visiting or travelling through.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
TRT medication must be used only as prescribed. Patients should not adjust their dosing schedule for travel unless advised to do so by their clinician.