Diabetic needles and insulin question

I carry syringes & highly regulated injectables - never been asked but be sure and carry Rx label. Meds are not included in 3-1-1 so you can pack separately. Medical liquids do need to be pulled out when going through security - just let agents know that they are medical.

What is 3-1-1-?

3oz max liquid in one, one quart plastic bag in your carry on luggage.

3-1-1 applies to carry-on regulations; it is the 1-quart-size plastic baggie that you must show at security. It includes liquids, gels in containers no larger than 3 ounces, 1 bag per person. You can put as many bottles, tubes, etc., in the quart-size bag as will fit, but none can be larger than 3 ounces (or close to it, might be 3.1 or 3.2 ounces). If you have greater amounts than that, they must go into a checked bag.

I carry an injection and have never been questioned. I have the prescription and a letter from my doctor saying the medicine and syringes are medically necessary. No one has ever asked to see this, but I feel better having the paperwork in case. Closest it came was in London where the agent asked for my passport to make sure the name on the rx matched.

"how does that work in airports?" Sometimes just fine, other times its a pain. My wife uses an insulin pump. If she removes it before going through security and puts it into her purse or carry on, things seem to go okay. If its left on her body, it creates all kinds of havoc, i.e., pat downs, etc. She carries some needles in her carry on, insulin in a cooling wallet (see: http://frioinsulincoolingcase.com) in her carry on, and prescriptions and/or a doc's statement just in case. She's never had to show the prescriptions or doc's statement. Be prepared and all will be well. Have a great trip.

Take with you the pharmacy label from when you filled your prescription. It is easier for TSA to verify the information from this than a letter from your doctor (which is very easy to fake with any word processor) . Also, the agents won't be able to easily
figure out if a written prescription matches the medication that you are carrying.

You did not state "where you are going for 31 days", but if you should happen to run out of needles and/or insulin, just go to any pharmacie and show them your prescription. You might think about keeping one needle and an empty bottle, just in case.

Also, you should think about having an empty plastic bottle with a secure cap to dispose of your needles. Take this to any pharmacie, which will destroy it.
It's illegal to throw needles away in public or private trash containers.

Bring all paperwork and carry it with your needles and insulin. Better to be safe than sorry.

Diabetic needles have covers, but the needles must be broken in half, kept in a closed, plastic container then incinerated by a pharmacie. If you check your blood sugar with lancets, you will need to do the same thing regarding disposal. There is no charge for doing this.
You can keep your needles and lancets in the original box, or put them in a rigid container for travelling.

You can ask your pharmacist to print an extra set of labels; carry these separate from the medications themselves.

I always throw my bags with medication and needles right out into the tub with my other things at security. I have never been questioned. I do have the matching paperwork right along with the items but they have never been inspected. It seems as if no one cares as long as you don't act as if you are hiding something. Also, I have been using a Frio cooler (link above) for eight years without any incident.

It is illegal in Europe to toss used needles or used lancets of any length in public or private trashcans, where they might be picked up by anybody - including children.
They are considered a hazardous medical waste item, and must be incinerated by a pharmacie.
I use them, and I know how they have to be handled.