What if I run out of a prescription while I’m abroad?

August 13, 2017

Sponsored by LloydsPharmacy Perfect Prescription Service

Mailonline

Published:
06:46 EDT, 8 August 2017

|
Updated:
07:05 EDT, 8 August 2017

e-mail

As part of a weekly series, in association with LloydsPharmacy, Colin Dougall from LloydsPharmacy in Glasgow answers your common medicine queries…

Colin Dougall, from LloydsPharmacy in Glasgow, gives expert advice

Q: What can I do if I run out of a prescription while I’m abroad?

Your first port of call should be the local pharmacy at your holiday destination. Make sure you take the tablet packaging so the pharmacist can see exactly what drug you are on, the dosage, and how it’s administered.

If you don’t have the packaging with you, contact your GP or the pharmacist in the UK to get the information.

The pharmacist where you are may be able to give you an emergency supply, but if that’s not possible, they will probably send you to the local health clinic.

Always plan ahead when you are going abroad to try to ensure you have enough medication with you.

Q: Should I take painkillers on a full or empty stomach?

It depends on the painkiller. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – such as ibuprofen – work by reducing the production of the hormone prostaglandin, which causes pain and inflammation as part of the healing process.

NSAIDs need to be taken with good because prostaglandins also protect the stomach lining – reducing their production therefore leaves the stomach lining vulnerable, while the drugs themselves can also directly irritate the lining.

However, paracetamol is safe to use before, with or after food, while pain-relieving gels and creams can be used at any time because they are applied to the skin.