Snowbird setup · Health
Staying Healthy Abroad
Three things catch snowbirds off guard with health: the prescription they take daily has a different name at the local pharmacy, the supplements they've taken for years aren't available locally, and the sun at 20°N latitude hits harder than it does at home.
This page covers all three — and the practical setup for each before you leave.
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Published
This page is educational, not medical advice. Nothing here is a recommendation to start, stop, or change any medication or supplement. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before traveling with prescription medications, before making changes to your supplement routine, and before interpreting any health information on this page for your own situation. Individual health circumstances vary significantly.
Your prescription under
a different name.
The medication you've taken for five years may be sold under a completely different name at the pharmacy in Mérida or Cascais. The generic name — the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) — is what crosses borders. Your brand name usually doesn't.
Common examples (verify with your pharmacist before relying on these)
- Tylenol → paracetamol (used in Europe, Mexico, and most of the world; the brand "Tylenol" is often unavailable)
- Advil / Motrin → ibuprofen (same INN name worldwide; the brand may differ)
- Aleve → naproxen sodium (sold in Mexico as Flanax or Apronax; the US brand Aleve is uncommon)
- Benadryl → diphenhydramine (widely available; brand name varies by country)
Sources: Drug name equivalents verified against the Drugs.com international drug name database and WHO INN records. Always confirm with a pharmacist for your specific medication before relying on a name equivalent.
Look up the INN name before you travel
The Drugs.com international drug name lookup lets you search by US brand name and see what the medication is called in other countries. Write down the INN generic name for each of your regular prescriptions. If you need to describe a medication to a foreign pharmacist or doctor, the generic name is what they'll recognize — not the US brand.
What to bring from the US.
The cleanest approach for most snowbirds: bring enough from the US to cover your full stay, plus a two-week buffer. Identify a local clinic in your destination area before you arrive in case you need a refill. Private clinics in US-expat-heavy areas — central Mérida, the Algarve, Tamarindo in Costa Rica — are experienced dealing with US patients and can write a local prescription if needed. See the trip-down page for how to pack and transport medications from the US.
Reorder without the suitcase.
If you take daily supplements, packing a five-month supply is a weight and space problem. iHerb ships to 180+ countries — including Mexico, Portugal, Greece, Costa Rica, and Panama — so you can reorder what you already take instead of hauling it across the Atlantic or the Gulf.
This section contains iHerb affiliate links. The products listed are commonly-taken supplements for context only — not recommendations to start any supplement. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about your specific supplement routine.
The list below covers supplements many people over 50 already take as part of a routine established with their doctor. The iHerb angle isn't about starting something new — it's about continuity. If you already take omega-3s or vitamin D, reordering internationally instead of packing bottles for five months is a practical convenience.
Omega-3 fish oil
One of the most widely-taken supplements among adults over 50. If you already have fish oil in your routine and your doctor approved it, reordering via iHerb at your destination avoids carrying large bottles on a transatlantic flight.
View on iHerb →Vitamin D3 + K2
Commonly combined because K2 helps direct calcium appropriately. Many older adults take D3 year-round on a doctor's guidance, especially those who spend winters in northern states — a category that describes a lot of snowbirds by definition.
View on iHerb →Collagen peptides
Widely used by active adults. Collagen peptide powder dissolves in coffee or water, so it's easy to continue at your destination without packing a large container. Available on iHerb and shippable to most snowbird destinations.
View on iHerb →CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 is commonly taken by older adults, particularly those on statins. Available in most US pharmacy chains, but less reliably stocked at pharmacies in smaller towns abroad — the iHerb approach applies here more than for basic supplements.
View on iHerb →Iron-free multivitamin (50+)
Many older adults take a multivitamin formulated for 50+. Worth knowing: many adults over 50 don't need supplemental iron and may benefit from an iron-free formulation — but this is exactly the kind of decision to confirm with your doctor, not a page on the internet. If you already take a specific product your doctor approved, iHerb is a convenient way to continue it at your destination.
View on iHerb →Check iHerb's country restrictions before ordering
iHerb ships to 180+ countries, but specific products can be blocked by destination-country customs rules. Their checkout process flags country-specific restrictions before you order. For Mexico and most of Europe, small supplement quantities for personal use clear customs routinely — but check your specific destination if you're ordering in larger quantities.
At a latitude you're not used to.
Mexico City sits at 19°N. Mérida is at 21°N. Lisbon is at 38°N — which still puts it roughly 1,000 miles south of Boston. Even Portugal's winter sun hits differently if you spent 20 years in Minnesota. UV protection isn't a summer thing in these latitudes.
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UPF 50+ sun shirt and wide-brim hat
UPF 50+ fabric blocks 98% of UV radiation — more reliably than reapplied sunscreen alone during extended outdoor time. Lightweight technical fabrics dry quickly and pack small. A wide-brim hat (at least 3 inches) protects the face, ears, and neck, which are the areas most likely to see sun exposure during a morning walk or an afternoon at the market.
Polarized UV400 sunglasses
UV400 means the lenses block wavelengths up to 400nm — full UVA and UVB protection. Polarization reduces glare from water, pavement, and white stucco walls, which matters at beach locations and in Mexico's brighter cities. Look for the UV400 label rather than "UV protection," which can mean different things across brands.
Polarized UV400 sunglasses on Amazon →Tropical destinations: dengue is a real consideration
Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama have seasonal dengue transmission. The Yucatán and Pacific Coast of Mexico have seen dengue activity in recent years; Costa Rica's Pacific lowlands and Panama City are both active areas. An EPA-registered insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 is the most effective personal protection. Check the CDC's destination health page for your specific region before you travel — dengue risk varies significantly by location and season.
Source: CDC Travelers' Health — destination-specific advisories.
Common Questions
Can I get my US prescriptions filled in Mexico or Portugal?
Does iHerb ship to my country?
Are supplements regulated the same way abroad as in the US?
Before you leave: the health-prep checklist.
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Look up the generic (INN) name for each prescription
Use the Drugs.com international database. Write down the generic name for every daily medication. This is what a foreign pharmacist will recognize — not your US brand name.
Drugs.com international drug name lookup → (opens in new tab) -
Ask your doctor for a medication letter
A letter on letterhead listing your medications by generic name, dosage, and condition treated makes customs straightforward for any controlled substances and gives local doctors a clear picture if you need care.
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Identify a local clinic or doctor at your destination
Do this before you leave, not when you need one. US expat community groups on Facebook and Reddit (r/expats, destination-specific groups) maintain lists of English-speaking local doctors and clinics. Private clinics in expat-heavy areas typically see US patients regularly.
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Check your international health coverage
Medicare covers almost nothing outside the US. A short-term international plan for your abroad window is the piece most snowbirds forget until they need it.
Compare snowbird coverage options → -
Set up iHerb for your destination if you take supplements
Check iHerb's shipping restrictions for your specific country before you go. Order a small test shipment early in your stay so you know it clears customs, then reorder on your regular schedule.
Primary sources
- Drugs.com — International Drug Name Database — Brand and generic name equivalents verified for paracetamol, naproxen/Flanax, diphenhydramine, and ibuprofen entries.
- WHO — International Nonproprietary Names (INN) Programme — The INN system for generic drug nomenclature used internationally.
- EU Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC — EU regulatory framework for food supplements including maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals.
- CDC Travelers' Health — Destination-specific health advisories — Dengue transmission risk and insect protection guidance for Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Health coverage for your abroad months.
Medicare doesn't travel with you. A short-term international plan fills the gap for your snowbird window — here's how Plan G's day-60 limit works and which plans are built for a 3–5 month stay.
Compare snowbird coverage options