2 health care items I require || batteries

Are throw-away AA and AAA batteries sold in the above countries?

Yes

yes, but PLEASE don't throw batteries away - recycle them please

Boots and Superdrug are the two major U.K. pharmacy chains. I can’t see the exact products that you mention, but there maybe different names used here or comparable products, so check their websites.

Batteries are widely available in supermarkets and electrical stores throughout Europe. They can be recycled at supermarkets and other places.

I prefer rechargeable batteries (which I always use at home) but if I used these in Europe I'd have to buy and carry around the plug adapter for my US plug-in battery recharger

The plug adapters are not really very big. 1-2 oz. each Total volume for one UK and one EU adapter is less than that of 4 AA batteries. I would rather make room for them than have to keep finding/buying the 'once and done' type.

Both Boots and Superdrug, the two largest pharmacy chains in the UK, have online shopping. You can search their websites for what you want:

http://www.boots.co.uk

http://www.superdrug.co.uk

They may have the product you are looking for but it is best to know the ingredients as the product name in the UK might be different.

I travel for three months at a time and the two OTC meds I mainly take are either not available in much of Europe or need a prescription. I bring enough since they are pills and transfer them to a ziploc bag to save space.

As for the batteries, they are sold throughout the world.

I take both Miralax and baby aspirin too. I buy travel packs of Miralax at my local pharmacy; easy to pack and carry; box of 20 fills two quart ziplock bags. Remember to take a plastic spoon to stir it in to whatever.
For your baby aspirin, put what you need in tiny ziplock pill bags. I pack all my pills that way.

I prefer rechargeable batteries (which I always use at home) but if I used these in Europe I'd have to buy and carry around the plug adapter for my US plug-in battery recharger.

You're going to have to carry around a plug adapter for any other electronics you will be using anyway. The adapters are tiny, light, simple. You have much bigger fish to fry.

Check your battery charger to see if it'll accept the 230 volt electrical standard used throughout Europe. If it was made this century, it probably does. As long as it's "world ready" (most modern consumer electronics are), you'll have no issues.

My husband is on a feeding tube and therefore is pretty restricted to what he can "eat". We've traveled three times to Europe and I have spent some time looking at comparable products available in the cities we are visiting. We have found the best help to be local pharmacies -- the pharmacists have always been very helpful even when we don't speak Italian/Icelandic/Hungarian. While we don't get the exact same product that is sold in the US, we still get what we need.

He also carries product with him. The Ensure powder is bulky, but we leave it in the original container because we feel that TSA might not be happy finding a bunch of baggies filled with white powder LOL. Once we arrive, we can put the powder into baggies that we bring for that purpose. For the liquid product, he has a letter from his doctor explaining his medical requirements.

Why not just bring a bottle of the baby aspirin? I doubt that any security patrol will question that.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my inquiries and statements.

I looked at my Ni MH AA/AAA battery recharger-- I bought it in the last century so it's not "world ready". I might buy a moustache-beard-hair cutter/trimmer which has a rechargeable Li battery so I'll need that special plug adapter for it and for a new, modern, "world ready" battery recharger.

Since various parts of me have broken down due to age, I have to pack - for a long stay in Europe if I'm physically OK there - a number of health care items plus lots of different Rx drugs and vitamins I require. I'm going to ask my health care person to prepare a document on letterhead paper so that airport and government agents here and abroad won't confiscate my legal drugs, etc. I think it's best for me to leave all my legal Rx drugs in their original bottles rather than pour the contents of the bottles into zip-lock bags. Because I'll be traveling alone and with all my health care stuff plus carry some warmer clothing, I figure I'll just have to take the larger size suitcase, the kind that's roughly 26" x 20" x 10". I'd leave on my travels sometime after Labor Day 2022 ( = 5 Sept.). You see, it was only once before when I went to Europe. That 1st and only time (so far) was in my mid-20s. Therefore, this is a jubilee year for me and probably the last chance I have in life to go to Europe where I want to see places I didn't see when I was young and to attend, as I did when I went to Europe a half century ago, operas and classical music concerts. [I live for classical music and opera.]

It's always a good idea to have a list of what you are taking (including ingredients), and why, from your doctor. The letter might come in handy with customs or a pharmacist. Sometimes OTC medicines here are prescription medicines there (and vice versa).

For the most part the customs people know what drug they are seeing and whether it's an issue. They understand that many people need to carry ample supplies of medicines while traveling. It's better, however, to have the explanation in hand - and not need it - than not have it.

The best way to get an equivalent (Miralax is not available in Europe as Miralax) is to go to a pharmacy with a picture of the product label and the ingredients list (or the actual product container) and let the pharmacist help. The products you want will only be available in a pharmacy, not a grocery store or other places like the US. Probably not the case with these products, but some OTC items might be prescription only in some countries, others available OTC that require a prescription in the US. I think you are also safe with these products, but some types of products are just not available in other countries due to safety requirements, Pepto-Bismol for example is not available in Europe (The active Bismuth ingredient is not approved for use)

There are also some online tools that will help find an equivalent, you might need to ask for different countries, the UK might have different names than Germany. While the product may be similar, it may not be exact, so if you believe you need the exact name brand product, then pack enough plus some.

For example, this site https://pillintrip.com/ offers to find similar equivalents, For the UK it gives Peglax and Dulcobalance as equivalents. Peglax would make sense since Miralax's main ingredient is PEG3350 (Polyethylene Glycol 3350). In Germany, Bellymed and Movicol are listed. Of course, best to confirm with a pharmacist if you get it.

I take quite a bit of medication. In fact, it weighs 2 lbs when I start out. My trips average 3 months. In the past, the larger pills/bottles went into a ziploc bags. This time, just about everything is going into ziploc bags. The bags are all noted as to what is inside and a copy of each pharmacy slips are in their own ziploc bag.

I have never been questioned about my meds and since none are narcotic, I'm not worried. I don't have a note from my doctor. As for the medication being in its "original container" there is no standard. In the U.S., it usually in a pill bottle. In the UK, they often come in blister packs. In other areas, it could be a small envelope. As long as you have the prescription information, you should be fine. Luckily, my prescription printouts include descriptions of each pill.

As long as you can show them what they are, what it's for, and why you are carrying so many, you'll be fine. They are more concerned about bringing in illegal substances or vast quantities for sale. They are not after the average tourist who has to take medications. They've seen it all.

It's also true that some medications that are OTC here are prescription there and vice-versa. Naproxen Sodium (Alleve) is OTC here but prescription there. Pepto Bismol can be found in the UK but I have yet to find it anywhere else in Europe. Acetominophen (Tylenol) is known in Europe as Paracetamol.

If you're going to be checking a bag, lithium batteries are NOT allowed in checked luggage. They must be in your carry on.

I apologize in advance if this reply comes off in a way different than what I intend. I am certain that you would be able to find the items you need in Europe. I don't think that any of the things you describe are so unique or specialized that they are not used by thousands or even millions of Europeans. That said, why risk it? Leave one sweater at home and pack your medications. Surely, you would be able to buy a sweater in Europe if you needed one.;