Travel Prescriptions Online: $79 MD Visit Before You Fly

Book at least 1–2 weeks before departure for a standard trip. Most travel medications need a few days to be filled and, if using mail-order, 5–7 business days to ship. Doxycycline for malaria should ideally start 1–2 days before you enter a malaria-endemic area, and Malarone (atovaquone-proguanil) also begins 1–2 days before. The CDC recommends seeing a provider at least 4–6 weeks before departure to allow time for vaccine series — but for prescription medications alone, 1–2 weeks is typically sufficient.

No. Yellow fever vaccine can only be given at a CDC-designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Center, which TeleDirectMD is not. No telehealth provider can administer vaccines remotely. For yellow fever vaccination and the required International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card), contact Passport Health, your local health department, or use the CDC's Find a Travel Clinic tool. We also cannot issue a medical exemption from yellow fever vaccination requirements.

No. Zolpidem (Ambien), temazepam, and all other benzodiazepine-class sedatives are Schedule IV controlled substances. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances — this is a firm policy that applies to all visit types. For jet lag management, Dr. Bhavsar can discuss non-controlled strategies including melatonin (OTC), light exposure timing, and hydration — and can recommend when to see a sleep specialist if insomnia is a persistent issue.

Yes, in appropriate clinical situations. TeleDirectMD can prescribe doxycycline ($5.25–$6.36/14 tabs via GoodRx) or atovaquone-proguanil / Malarone ($43.04–$79.22/30 tabs via GoodRx) after reviewing your specific itinerary and health history. Prophylaxis is not a blanket prescription — the right medication and whether any is warranted depends on your destination (country, urban vs. rural), trip duration, and individual health factors (including allergies, G6PD status, and other medications). Travelers with complex itineraries, pregnancy, or significant comorbidities should see an ISTM-certified travel medicine specialist in person.

Often, yes — for non-controlled medications such as lisinopril, metformin, levothyroxine, atorvastatin, sertraline, and similar drugs. Many U.S. pharmacies can fill a 90-day supply with an appropriate Rx. Bring a list of your current medications to the visit. The extended fill is subject to clinical appropriateness, state law at the time of the visit, and the specific medication; TeleDirectMD will confirm what is feasible during the visit. Controlled substances (Schedule II–IV) cannot be refilled or extended through TeleDirectMD under any circumstances.

Policies vary by country. Many countries will not honor a U.S. prescription directly — you may need to see a local physician to obtain a local Rx. Some countries allow pharmacies to dispense common medications without a prescription. Before departure, request a sufficient supply for the entire trip plus a buffer, and ask Dr. Bhavsar for a physician's letter listing your medications by generic name and dosage, which can facilitate obtaining equivalents abroad. ISOS, the U.S. Embassy, and destination-country medical associations can help locate licensed English-speaking physicians internationally.

TeleDirectMD cannot manage post-exposure rabies prophylaxis. PEP involves wound debridement, immediate injection of rabies immune globulin (RIG) into and around the wound, and a series of rabies vaccine doses — all of which require in-person administration at an emergency department or travel clinic. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling, seek emergency care immediately at the nearest hospital. Do not wait. Delay in initiating PEP can be fatal. Before your trip, discuss pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) rabies vaccine series with a travel clinic if you plan high-risk activities (caving, wildlife work, extended rural travel in endemic countries).

For most common, non-controlled prescription medications, a labeled pharmacy bottle is sufficient. However, for travelers carrying multiple prescription medications, injectable drugs (e.g., insulin), or any substance that could be questioned, a physician's letter documenting your prescriptions by generic name, dose, and medical indication can prevent delays. TeleDirectMD can provide this letter upon request — it is a reasonable documentation service within the scope of the visit. Note that some countries prohibit certain medications entirely (e.g., codeine, pseudoephedrine, or specific psychiatric medications) — always check destination-country customs rules for each medication you plan to carry.

No. A medical waiver (or "contraindication letter") exempting a traveler from yellow fever vaccination must be issued by a physician at a CDC-authorized Yellow Fever Vaccination Center, after an in-person evaluation establishing that the vaccine is contraindicated for that specific patient. Telehealth providers are not authorized to issue valid ICVP waivers. Countries requiring yellow fever proof at the border may or may not accept a waiver — acceptance varies by country and port of entry. Visit a certified travel clinic well in advance to obtain a proper waiver if clinically indicated.

Coverage varies. TeleDirectMD is in-network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare in select states — if your plan is in-network, your standard telehealth copay applies. Medicare covers telemedicine visits for beneficiaries in covered states; however, many travel-specific prescriptions (malaria prophylaxis, travel vaccines) are not covered Medicare benefits. If you are paying out of pocket, the visit is a flat $79, HSA/FSA eligible. Note: TravelMeds2Go states it accepts Medicare for the visit fee but the consult is not covered by Medicare (patients pay cash for the visit). Always confirm with your insurer before booking.

TeleDirectMD can see you for acute illness during travel if you are physically located in one of our 43 licensed states at the time of the visit — this applies if you're on a domestic leg or have returned home. For illness while abroad, TeleDirectMD cannot provide care (state licensure requires you to be physically in a licensed state). Before departure, register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), carry travel health insurance with medical evacuation coverage, and save the U.S. Embassy contact for your destination. The CDC Travelers' Health country pages list local emergency resources. If you have a standby antibiotic prescription from TeleDirectMD, use it per the written instructions you received — and seek local medical care for any severe or worsening illness.

TeleDirectMD can prescribe meclizine 25 mg in Rx quantities (GoodRx price: $2.88–$11.37 / 30 tablets, updated 2026-04-25) or the scopolamine transdermal patch (GoodRx: $45.50 / 10 patches, updated 2026-04-25). Meclizine 25 mg is also available OTC as Bonine — Dr. Bhavsar can advise on the appropriate option for your travel (cruise vs. flight vs. mountain roads) and write the Rx quantity needed. Scopolamine patches are particularly useful for multi-day sea voyages; they should be applied at least 4 hours before boarding. Promethazine (Phenergan) is sometimes used for severe motion sickness but can cause significant sedation; discuss your situation during the visit.

Yes, for moderate-altitude leisure travel. Acetazolamide is the only FDA-approved drug for acute mountain sickness (AMS) prevention, dosed 125 mg twice daily starting the day before ascent, per the CDC Yellow Book. It is non-controlled and well-suited to a telehealth visit. TeleDirectMD can prescribe it for travelers flying into high-elevation destinations such as Cusco (~3,400 m), La Paz, Bogotá, or Colorado ski country — after reviewing your itinerary and screening for sulfonamide (sulfa) allergy, which is the main contraindication. Generic acetazolamide 125 mg runs about $6.68–$20.29 for a 30–60 tablet supply via GoodRx (verified 2026-06-13). For serious high-altitude expeditions above ~4,000 m (Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, technical climbing), which carry risk of high-altitude cerebral and pulmonary edema, see an in-person travel medicine specialist who can also plan emergency dexamethasone and nifedipine.

Start acetazolamide (Diamox) one day before you begin your ascent, continue it during the ascent, and keep taking it for the first two days after reaching your highest sleeping altitude — the standard preventive dose is 125 mg twice daily, per the CDC Yellow Book. For a trip flying into a high-elevation city such as Cusco or La Paz, that usually means taking your first dose the day before you fly in. Because the timing is tied to your specific itinerary, TeleDirectMD reviews your travel dates during the visit so your prescription quantity matches your trip.

It depends on the elevation and how fast you ascend. Cusco sits at about 3,400 m (11,150 ft) and travelers often fly in directly, which is exactly the scenario where acute mountain sickness is common — so acetazolamide is frequently appropriate there, and for La Paz and other direct-fly high-altitude cities. Machu Picchu itself (~2,430 m) is lower than Cusco, but most itineraries route through Cusco first. Many Colorado mountain towns (Leadville ~3,100 m, Breckenridge ~2,900 m) also reach AMS-relevant elevations. The CDC Yellow Book notes AMS risk rises meaningfully above ~2,500 m, especially with rapid ascent. TeleDirectMD reviews your specific destinations and ascent profile to decide whether acetazolamide is warranted; gradual acclimatization and hydration remain first-line for everyone.

The most common, expected effects are tingling in the fingers, toes, or around the mouth (paresthesia), increased urination, and a flat or metallic taste in carbonated drinks — these are generally mild and reflect how the drug works. Acetazolamide is a sulfonamide derivative, so it should be avoided if you have a known sulfonamide (sulfa) allergy, and it is not appropriate in certain kidney or liver conditions — which is why a clinician review is required before prescribing. We screen for these during your visit. This is general information, not a substitute for the advice your prescribing physician gives based on your history; review the full prescribing information with your pharmacist.