Health & fitness · Medication math
Travel medication quantity planner.
Enter trip length, spare days and units per day to see how many tablets or doses to pack, how many packs that is, and how it compares with a 90-day supply.
Not medical advice
This tool only does arithmetic on numbers you type in from your own prescription or package label. It does not recommend any drug, dose or schedule. Follow your prescriber, pharmacist and the label, and ask them before changing how you take any medicine.
Inputs
What to pack
Enter the numbers above.
How the quantity is worked out
Travel quantity is the trip length plus spare days, times the units you take each day, rounded up. The Government of Canada travel advice says to carry a sufficient supply of required medication for the length of the trip, in the original labelled containers, in carry-on luggage. The spare days are your own allowance for delays.
Worked example. A 21-day trip with 7 spare days is 28 days. At 2 tablets a day that is 56 tablets, or 2 packs of 30. Split between two carry-on bags, that is 28 in each. A 90-day supply at 2 a day is 180 tablets.
About crossing into the US: the FDA's personal importation page says the quantity is generally not more than a three month supply, and that foreign nationals may bring or ship a 90-day supply. It is guidance for FDA staff reviewing cases, not a guarantee at the border, and controlled substances fall under other agencies. Check the rules of each country you will enter, carry a copy of the prescription and a doctor's note, and ask your pharmacist whether an early refill or a vacation override is possible.
Frequently asked questions
How much medication should I take on a trip?
Enough for the whole trip, in the original labelled containers and in your carry-on, as the Government of Canada travel advice suggests. Many travellers add spare days for delays; this tool lets you choose how many.
Is there a 90-day limit for bringing medication into the US?
The FDA personal importation page says the quantity is generally not more than a three month supply, and that foreign nationals may bring or ship a 90-day supply. It is a guideline for reviewers, not a guarantee, so check current rules before you travel.
Should I split my medication between bags?
Government of Canada travel advice says to keep medications in your carry-on, with the original labels. This tool can show a per-bag split if you want a spare in each bag, but keep each in its labelled container.
What if my trip is longer than 90 days?
The tool shows how many days exceed 90. Talk to your pharmacist about refills or about arranging supply at your destination, and check the destination country rules.
Sources
Checked
- FDA, "Personal Importation", opened 8 October 2026. quantity generally not more than a three month supply; foreign nationals may bring or ship a 90-day supply; controlled substances decided by DEA
- Government of Canada, "Travelling with medication", opened 8 October 2026. carry a sufficient supply for the trip, original labelled containers, prescription copy and doctor's note, carry-on luggage
Spare days are your own allowance. Canadian import rules are not covered here. Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored.
Scope
Rules differ by country and by medicine, and controlled substances have extra rules. This is a calculation aid, not medical or pharmacy advice, and it does not know your medicine, your health or your prescription. Your label, prescriber and pharmacist decide.