meds and spain

Original bottles are not required, unless it's a controlled substance, but they are always a good idea. Personally, I take my supplements/vitamins and such in a weekly container, no original bottles, and I have never had anyone question anything. TSA is looking for security-related things, not medications.

TSA does NOT require that meds be in original bottle or label. Whether or not inpectors 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 paperwith the organizer.
I also carry an information sheet wiht the above info 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. Also if you use a CPAP, nebulizer, etc, these devices must be declared and removed for separate screening. Most airlines don't count these in # of allowed carry-ons.

My boyfriend flew into Madrid with a 2-week supply of needles, insulin, test strips, glucose shots, glucagon gel tubes etc. for his type-1 diabetes in his carry-on bag last year. The insulin was in originally labeled vials, but not in the boxes. It was accompanied by a copy of his prescription and a letter from his doctor in a gallon-size ziploc bag separate from his other liquids. He took it out of his bag and ran it through security in a separate bin and they didn't say a word to him about it either way. Although, if they had questioned him, he would have only needed to show his insulin pump, which is always attached to his body, for them to shut up. I have also traveled with numerous inhalors and pills. I even mix different pills (claritin, ibuprofen, etc) in the same bottles and have never even had anyone look twice.