Hello - We have a connection in Heathrow in route to Italy. I need to put a decent amount of supplements in my carry on. I need to bring about a gallon sized ziploc full of things like tablets, capsules, compounded creams in syringes and a couple powders. (No liquids) There is no way I could bring that much in their original bottles so they have to go in baggies. I know I won't have an issue at the Seattle airport TSA, but I'm worried about Heathrow. Has anyone tried this? We have a tight connection and I don't want to be pulled aside for mystery powders and pills. At the same time, if I check it and my luggage is lost I'm in trouble health wise
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1023 posts
Compounded creams sound like they could be classed as a liquid. Anything that could be spread is considered a liquid and not allowed as part of your general luggage. It should be in the original packaging with a doctor’s letter if it is necessary medication. As you say this is in syringes I’d guess it might fit this criteria.
There is a chance you could be questioned about your supplements. Get a letter from your doctor if possible. Security at Heathrow is very strict and I know from experience can be stressful for people who need to travel with a lot of medication as they may well examine everything which takes a lot of time.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8399 posts
A cream in a syringe is going to be classified as a liquid. I would put these in checked baggage. I think security will be far more concerned with volume of liquids than anything else.
Heathrow is very strict about quart size liquid bag.
Posted by
SoCal
343 posts
Here's what the Heathrow Airport website has to say about liquids and creams that are medications:
If you need to take medications that are liquids, creams or gels in packs larger than 100ml in your hand luggage, you will need a letter from your doctor and approval from the airline before you travel.
So assuming you are taking these under direction of a physician, and the physician provides the required letter, you should be good to go.
Posted by
Washington DC
27176 posts
Absent a letter from your doctor, the medical creams need to go in the same quart-size bag as things like shampoo. In the UK you don't get to treat medically-necessary liquids as extras that don't count toward your 1-quart allowance.
I regularly start my trips to Europe with 6+ lb. of vitamins and supplements (calcium is heavy, and my trips are long). I've flown out of Heathrow but not into that airport, but no one anywhere in Europe has cared about my pills. It could yet happen, I know. I put the bulk of the OTC medicines and supplements (the items that are easily replaceable, though not necessarily cheaply) in my checked bag. All the prescriptions, anything not readily available in Europe (Pepto Bismol and zinc lozenges), and about a one-week supply of everything else is in my carry-on tote bag. I have a couple of prescription creams, but those tubes easily fit in my 1-quart bag.