What is the best pain relief for flying?

Take pain medication in your carry-on. If you have mild to moderate pain, an Advil or Tylenol may do the trick. If you take prescription pain medication, you may want to talk to your doctor about whether you will need to take a higher dose or augment your existing medication with another drug while traveling.



People Also Ask

These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).

MORE DETAILS

Pharmacological treatment These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).

MORE DETAILS

To ease discomfort, you can take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), or an analgesic pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

MORE DETAILS

Dramamine is an over-the-counter preventative drug that can help with motion sickness while flying.

MORE DETAILS

These include any hormone-based drugs, like the contraceptive pill and some fertility medicines, and drugs used to prevent heart attack and stroke. Antihistamines should also not be used to help passengers sleep during a flight.

MORE DETAILS

Take the magnesium supplement before you sleep; you'll have more energy when you wake up.

MORE DETAILS

If you suffer from allergies, consider a non-sedating antihistamine instead, such as loratadine (Claritin®) or fexofenadine (Allegra). Claritin and Allegra do not have wait times (after the initial ground trial).

MORE DETAILS

TAKE IBUPROFEN BEFORE YOU BOARD If you know you're prone to aviation headaches, take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (i.e. ibuprofen) one to two hours before takeoff to get ahead of any inflammation or pain.

MORE DETAILS

Use an electrolyte beverage for effective hydration These results suggest that an electrolyte beverage is more effective than mineral water for hydration under conditions such as when taking a flight.

MORE DETAILS

All prescription medicines are allowed on airplanes, whether in a carry-on or checked bag. There is no limit to the amount of medications in pill or solid form that you can bring. Liquid medicines are also allowed. Normally, liquids in a carry-on bag have to be 3.4 ounces or less per item.

MORE DETAILS

Try taking a decongestant or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine before you get on the airplane, particularly if you are suffering from a head cold or swollen sinuses.

MORE DETAILS

As mentioned, you don't need to have your pills in their original bottles under TSA guidelines. However, when traveling out of the country, having those pills in their original prescription bottles may make the customs process smoother and simpler.

MORE DETAILS