Regarding Prescriptions RX and Over the Counter medication - London/UK

The NHS website says that Naproxen is available on prescription ie it isn’t available OTC.

It seems that the US is an outlier in allowing OTC sales of this drug

This link may be useful. https://www.gov.uk/take-medicine-in-or-out-uk

As well as this one.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/controlled-drugs-list--2/list-of-most-commonly-encountered-drugs-currently-controlled-under-the-misuse-of-drugs-legislation

There's no law that says you have to bring medicines in their original containers - do what you want.

Boots is the leading high street pharmacy, but you'll also find pharmacies in large supermarkets.

Boots is the most common chain of chemists in the UK. You will find them all over London. I don’t think all branches have a pharmacy but they will have a good range of over the counter painkillers etc.
You will also find a good range in supermarkets.

You definitely can't get Naproxen over the counter, I have it (and Codeine) but only on prescription.

Ibuprofen is about the strongest available OTC pain killer, available in any supermarket.

There are multiple pharmacies for OTC meds in any town. There will be no difficulties in London.

I'd recommend taking more than one extra day's worth of prescription drugs. I always add enough for an extra week, just in case something strange happens.

You can bring your meds in a pillbox or pouch. Just have a copy of the prescription with you. (the label on the bottle.)

If you like Walgreens, you'll like Boots. They are owned by the same company.

I bring Naproxen Sodium to the UK since it is by prescription only. However you can get Paracetamol (Acetominophin) and Ibuprofen easily and cheap.

I agree you should bring more than one day extra.

In addition to what others have said, if you take prescribed pain killers classed as Opiates or Opioids, those you really should have in a labeled prescription bottle, rather than tossed into an unlabeled plastic bag.

Probably does not apply, but if you also have ADHD meds, or stimulants prescribed for depression or other ailments, then those should be in a labeled bottle, plus have a letter from your doctor indicating the purpose and prescribing details.

Otherwise, most typical meds are no issue, and are not considered "controlled substances", just follow common sense guidelines.

Is this really true? That's not my recollection, in fact my spouse was able to get some stuff OTC in Paris that requires a prescription in the states

I discovered that pain relievers are not available OTC in Paris

Some pain relievers--paracetamol and ibuprofen--are available OTC in much of Europe. Naproxem Sodium and anything stronger needs a prescription.

Paracetamol and Ibuprofen are available not only at pharmacies but most supermarkets and grocery stores. You can't buy bottles of 500 like in the US. I think you are limited to packs of 16.

I bought a pack of Ibuprofen yesterday in the UK at a Morrisons local. A box of 16 tablets cost 70p. (About 95 cents US)

You can buy 3 x packs of 16 Ibrupofren or Paracetomol a day at any UK store, and there is nothing to stop you going from store to store, as no records are kept. But if you use that many in a day you will be overdosing anyway.

You can also get cocodamol over the counter which is a combined tablet of paracetamol (acetaminophen) & codeine. These are a fairly low dose of codeine, stronger ones are on prescription.

I have always taken my prescription meds in a daily pillbox and have never been questioned about it. I think drug smugglers would be trying to bring in more than just 2 weeks worth of pills. However, none of my prescription meds are controlled substances.

You can bring your meds in a pillbox or pouch. Just have a copy of the prescription with you.

I have my prescriptions available in MyChart and it is easy to access, so I prefer to do that, rather than dealing with paper. That said, I've been traveling overseas for over 30 years and have never once been asked for documentation of meds. But of course, if you feel more comfortable bringing a paper Rx along, then by all means do so. I always prefer the higher-tech option. 😊

Thank you so much for your helpful responses!

I plan on taking my Aleve and Excedrin in original packaging as they're the best at treating those travel related aches and pains. Same thing with Pepto Bismol and Immodium. Going to see if my local pharmacy will create requisite labels on smaller bottles for me to transfer some of my RX meds into smaller to manage containers. I'll take my chances with my supplements and carry them in pill pouches.

As for my experience in Paris - perhaps it's because I was asking for naproxen? All I recall is that I was surprised that the pain-reliever I was able to purchase OTC in the US was deemed a prescription drug in France. No worries.

I'm keeping the link to NHS that was shared in my "notes" - should the need arise.

Good to learn about "Boots" on account of, no doubt I will forget to pack a thing or two or dozen (ha!).

Mighty grateful for this forum,

WL