Abstract
Travelling poses particular challenges for patients with rheumatic diseases. This article provides specific guidance on how best to manage medication while away from home. Besides outlining advice on basic logistic issues, such as the transportation, importation and storage of drugs, the article concentrates on travelling while receiving immunosuppressive therapy and carrying narcotics. Especially when transporting narcotics, travel requires careful planning in advance in close collaboration with physicians on account of the strict and internationally diverse import restrictions on controlled substances. While travelling, all drugs should be kept in the original packaging, including the package insert and stored in carry-on luggage. Aspecific medical passport may be needed. Immunosuppressive and narcotic drugs require medical certificates issued by the prescribing physician, which may need to be certified by the responsible national agencies. Patients receiving glucocorticoid treatment who travel in or across multiple time zones should also be aware of how the medication impacts and interacts with circadian rhythms so as to optimize the anti-inflammatory effects of the drugs and to avoid unnecessary complications. Given the significant discrepancies in medical care and availability of medication worldwide, the article further stresses the importance of acomprehensive medical kit tailored to the patient's individual medicinal needs. Finally, as immunocompromised travellers are at increased risk of infections, advice is given on the use of anti-infective drugs and chemoprophylaxis for patients travelling to areas in which malaria is endemic as well as on their possible interactions with immunosuppressive treatment.
Published Version
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