Brining medicine on trip to Paris

What kind of medication are you bringing? Anything that requires a prescription in France or anything that is classed as a narcotic?

No narcotics. A few (4) prescriptions and (2) supplements. I would bring a few days extra as usual.

If you search MEDICINES you'll see lots of different ideas but mostly, nobody cares about non-narcotic drugs in amounts for personal use. I carry my 2 daily drugs in weekly "sticks" and have photos of their labels on my phone.

It really a non-issue. I carry a week in a SMTWTFS daily pill box, and the rest in a ziplock. I have pics of the labels, like LIZinPA, but really for emergency replacement, not customs.

Perfect. Thanks. Hadn't thought of taking pictures. I appreciate this.

I put my prescription meds in small bags and my pharmacy print’s sticky labels to put on them. I don’t have any narcotics or controlled meds.

I have been traveling to Europe since 1960 --first time was on ocean liner when customs really did rifle through all your bags on arrival both directions; I have been twice this year -- Never in this time has anyone looked at my meds. As an Old now with an old husband who also has tons of prescriptions, they never look at the meds. When we traveled with a grandchild who has some prescriptions that might be unavailable in France and possibly create issues, we had a pediatrician's letter as well as carrying them in original containers. No one looked. We always have them of course in the carry ons.

That said, there is aways the possibility of prescriptions being looked at and if unlabeled how are they to know they are not controlled? If nervous. perhaps carry the print out from your caregiver that lists medications and dosages on their official professional letterhead? Or ask the pharmacy to print labels you can stick on the ziplock you carry your meds in. And smart to carry a couple of weeks extra right now given the COVID situation.

I would not worry; it would be very unusual for anyone at any point to even look at them. But if you do worry, the labels or print out should make you more comfortable.

The other reason for carrying label info with you is if you need medical attention (and perhaps cant speak for yourself). Care providers need to know what meds you are on. Its not always obvious from appearance. Supplements too.

I take a daily prescription that is in a powder form. The first leg of our trip TSA flagged it. I had it in a double zip lock bag deep in my shoe. It took a bit to dig it out. After talking w the TSA agent I just started putting it in the top of my bag soeasy topull out. Next trip I think I will just pull it out & put it in the bin. They took a small amount out each time to test for explosive powder

Stan makes a very good point - I always ( even at home ) carry a clearly printed list of all the medications I take , and the dosages , in case I need emergency medical help . This is always with me, if , for instance , I am out for a walk , I will have my phone , drivers license and that list . Since I have a few cardiac stents , those are also noted on that list . I also keep the list ( clearly marked as to purpose ) in a place on my person where it is easy to find , without a difficult search

And if you test positive for Covid and have to stay longer than a few days, take more.

I do what Donald does, i put each day’s meds in a snack size zip-loc baggie (less weight than the plastic weekly med containers) and in another baggie all the labels that my pharmacy prints out. Super simple and easy. I do have one narcotic. No one has ever looked at or questioned my meds in 26+ flights.

As long as you can show what each medication/supplement is, you'll be fine.I carry a copy of the bottle labels.

It's a good idea to carry an emergency card with you at all times. Mine has my name , address, phone number, emergency contact information, medication I'm taking, allergies and chronic illnesses. You can find these type of cards/lists to print on the internet. I keep mine in my wallet and another in my moneybelt.

Mark we take a fiber supplement that is a white powder. I know that at least one US film star years ago got stopped for possible cocaine trafficking with exactly this same substance so I always have that in the back of my mind. We carry it in the checked bag in its original container and so far, so good. We have not been able to find it to purchase in pharmacies in France. Got a blank look the one time I asked the pharmacist (in the world's worst French). I'm guessing zip lock bag in toe of shoe seems more suspicious than more visibly packed.

I'm guessing zip lock bag in toe of shoe seems more suspicious than more visibly packed.

yes I was very nervous. It was all I could do not to utter the word BOMB as he was taking it out of the bag to test. and getting cuffed & stuffed by 15 TSA agents....and missing my flight. LOL

Thanks everyone. Taking a list with official letterhead is a great Idea. I think my white hair may help me too!

Thanks everyone. Taking a list with official letterhead is a great Idea. I think my white hair may help me too!

This is not a prescription nor does it give the information they want. Look at the label on the bottle. That is what they want. Many pharmacies give copies of that label on the receipts they give. I know Walgreens does. I just cut out the duplicate label and put it in the bag with the pills. Or just ask your pharmacist for them.

Anyone can make up a piece of paper and letterhead.

I agree that labels you can put on the bag with the meds is ideal, but the doctor's prescription list is exactly the information that would be needed if you needed medical care. They list the drug and dosage on letterhead. I have been hospitalized in France and didn't have either of these nor the bottles at hand. All it took for me to get the proper meds the 5 days I was there was to tell them what I was taking and the dosages. Of course none of these was a controlled substance, but it was really not difficult to manage.

I was thinking what Frank said, pharmacy labels are best.

my wife loads up one of those MTWTFSS pill boxes and we haven't been stopped. But you should ASSUME you'll get pulled out of line one day and be prepared, because that way you never WILL be pulled out of line.

She also got flagged for a secondary screening at the CDG gate just as we were about to board, so be prepared for that as well. The agent was very apologetic.