Medicines in original bottles necessary?

I mix all my pills together in a little box and I've never been bothered. I carry the written prescriptions. If I were carrying a heavily controlled substance I might carry that in its original packaging but my stuff is pretty mundane.

That's what I do, too. I get a copy of the prescription labels and put those in a plastic baggie. I combine the pills into one or two containers, and put them in my personal item, just in case my carryon has to be gate-checked for some reason. I have never been asked about them.

I use little individual zipper bags called EZ Dose, and write the name and strength of each med on the baggie in sharpie. I've never been asked about them.

Those little bags are useful for more than just pills. I have a little sewing kit in one, put cotton makeup remover pads in one, organize jewelry ... etc.

I use a pill box, and have included more interesting drugs like vicodin and it's never attracted any attention. I do have a copy of my prescription in my carry-on with the box just in case.

That's what I was hoping to hear from you all. Thanks!!

I use the very small Ziploc type bags (Rite aid carries them in their travel section) to hold each of the pills, then put them inside a larger baggie to organize (hubby’s prescriptions in one, mine in another, and otc’s in a third). Takes very little space.

TSA does NOT require that meds be in original bottle or labeled. Whether or not inspectors in other countries will worry about how you have your pills organized is always a question. Personally, I've never had a problem taking meds into other countries for my personal use (and we've had more than 40 international trips).
It is the *INFORMATION** that is important-* more in case you have a medical emergency, or need a refill (lost meds, trip extended...) You should have the brand name of the medication (ambien, etc.) and the generic name, and if no generic, a "chemical" name as brand names are not always the same.
There are lots of ways to organize your meds. You can ask your pharmacist to print you an extra label (or use the one they give you that is with the 'side effects" printout) and put it on a small Ziploc bag, then put the medication in the bag. Alternatively, some pharmacies will prepare blister packs with all your meds grouped according to when you take them (example, day 1, am in one blister, day 1 lunch next, day 1 pm next, etc)and put all labels on the top of the sheet. You could use a pill organizer and put the labels from the pharmacy on one sheet of paper with the organizer.

I carry an information sheet with the above info (one for me , one for hubby)and I also list my Dr's phone #s, pharmacy's #, and emergency contact info as well a list medical conditions, surgeries /dates. If you become ill while traveling, or need a refill because you lost meds, etc. it could be vital. Feel free to private message me if you want a sample copy of the info sheet. Also, note that liquid meds of more than 3 oz should NOT be placed in your 3-1-1 bag, but should be in their own baggie, in original bottle.

Liquid meds do not have to go in the 311 bag. If you are taking RX pills this is what we do to save space & weight. Have the pharmacist print out extra labels. Put the pills in a freezer zip lock and put the extra label on it. Take the original data sheet that comes with the RX with you to show that it is for you. We have been to many European countries and have never had a problem. There are some state laws that require prescription meds to be in original containers, but they are rarely enforced and I can only remember reading about one case in the last 20 years.

TSA does NOT require that meds be in original bottle or labeled.

US Customs does:
http://tinyurl.com/kqaj9du

Do nose sprays, i.e. Nasacort, count as liquid meds?

Yes. I left my bottle of Flonase out of the 311 bag last trip and had no problem.

...Whether or not inspectors in other countries will worry about how you have your pills organized is always a question....

Other than a TSA security check, there is no check getting out of that US. And it is not a question in Europe since you just walk through the green door at customs - nothing to declare. However, as Michael pointed out, getting back into the US can be the problem because you might be inspected at customs. However, by that time we pill supply is down to a couple pills each so the quantity of pills will not attract much attention if inspected. If you are returning with a large supply you will need a good explanation and the original bottles.

Michael Schneider- but here's the next sentence from the US Customs: If your medications or devices are not in their original containers, you must have a copy of your prescription with you or a letter from your doctor.

I would be very caution of carrying a schedule 1-3 drug on your person without a prescription. I have an anti-anxiety medication I travel with for sleep and just in case of a high anxiety situation (cause travel involves no stress right?) and if I have it on my person without a prescription and law enforcement is involved It would be very bad. I could prove it was mine, eventually but why go through that hassle? So that is the ONE prescription I keep in its original bottle, the Tylenol, Imodium and omeprazole go in baggies.

Fortunately, I don't require any prescription medicines. If I did, however, I might chose the right answer over the easy answer. The easy answer is mix them into one conveniently sized package and maybe keep some copies of your prescriptions but it's not really the right answer. The right answer is keep them in their original bottles and have your prescription. The prescription is also supposed to describe why you need them (how many actually do that?).

To me, this is one of those nine times out of ten issues. Most of the time, it won't be a problem. Most of the people on this sight don't seem like a threat to commit crimes, so they aren't looked at closely. The one time you are asked about your prescriptions, however, do you want to get through customs with your meds or not? If you're not doing it right, you're relying on a customs officer to cut you a break when they don't have to.

Michael Schneider- but here's the next sentence from the US Customs:
If your medications or devices are not in their original containers,
you must have a copy of your prescription with you or a letter from
your doctor.

In New York State, and I'm sure there are others, prescriptions must be sent to the pharmacy electronically, written scripts are now illegal; so for me that's an impossibility. If you want to go through the hassle of having your doctor write a letter for the Customs folks, go for it.