Packing Prescriptions and Vitamins

Arvid, I put mine in little plastic bags I got at a craft store, labeled with the name. Never been stopped, never had anyone take a 2nd look at them. Of course, I also don't look like a bum (sorry bums!), wear clean clothes (jeans), and don't act like I'm carrying contraband also.

I carry them in the original containers and always carry a local language translation of the generic name for your drug (your doctor will know this) so that if I need more for whatever reason a local pharmacy can help me.

Arvid, I normally travel with Vitamins in their original bottles, packed in my checked luggage. I always take prescription medication in carry-on, and always in the properly labelled bottles from the Pharmacy. There's no way I would travel with prescription med's in a plastic bag or other unmarked container, as they may be controlled substances in some countries.

I just returned on Monday from Europe and what I did was carry a copy of my prescription plus a note with the generic versions. I was in Europe for 23 days so it was difficult to carry the original bottles. One prescription is in indivdual foil packets with the name on the back. I wasn't concerned about that one. I just put them in a plastic baggie. The other comes in a large bottle. I just put it in a small travel jar with the name printed on front. Had no trouble. My vitamins were also in a small travel jar with the name printed on front. No problem here either. The only pills we took the actual bottle were my husband's Saw Pametto. Since this is a herb and had no marking on the capsule and could be confused with .......something else maybe.......we took the bottle.

I use travel pill containers because I find them way more convenient. I carry a list of my meds and their doses, and my doctors' contact information. I'm not carrying anything illegal, so I don't worry. Also, I figure that having pills in the original bottles doesn't prove anything, because someone could easily put illegal drugs into a legit-looking container.

This is the answer I gave to a previous post: TSA does NOT require that medications be in original bottle or even have a label. That said, it is always advisable to have the correct info with your medications in case of illness, emergency, needing refills, etc. Ask your pharmacist to print you an extra label 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, then day 2...) and put all the labels on the top of the sheet. You could also use a pill organizer and put the labels from the pharmacy on one sheet of paper taped to the bottom of the organizer. Lots of ways to do it. I also carry an information sheet with all of my medications listed (both generic and name brand), the dose I take, when I take it and what condition it is for. I also list my Dr's phone #s, pharmacy's #, and emergency contact info as well a list major medical conditions (I have asthma, high blood pressure, PCOS, etc.) and surgeries /dates. This info sheet has come in handy when I had a severe asthma attack at work (the EMTs knew everything they needed even though I had trouble speaking). If you become ill while traveling, or need a refill because you lost meds, etc. this could be vital. Feel free to private message me if you want a sample copy of the info sheet. Also, liquid meds should NOT be placed in your 3-1-1 bag, but should be in their own baggie. You must declare them to the TSA before screening. It is helpful for liquids to be in their original bottle. Also- if you use a CPAP, a nebulizer, etc, these devices must be declared and removed for separate screening. (Also- most airlines don't count these in # of allowed carry-on bags)

I travel with the original containers. I don't really consider them "bulky." How much space do you really save by getting rid of the original containers? A dozen bottles is about the size of one sweater.

Bulkiness isn't the issue for me. I carry my pills in those 7-day plastic organizers so I don't forget doses.

We travel with many meds. We pack them in whatever is most convienent including bank envelopes, etc. As long as they are pills (not liquids) and you are traveling to/from europe or the USA/Canada I don't t think you will ever be questioned. We travel often. No one has ever paid any attention to our meds at all.

Also always carry more than you need, you never know when you could be delayed getting back. Friends got stuck 3 extra days due to blizzard in December and ran out of meds after the second day luckily with no bad results.

I always use the 7 day pill containers. My local hospital pharmacy gives them out free. I take one for each week we will be away and one extra in the event of delay. Put all in one zip lock bag and take in in my carry on. They are flat and don't take up room like bottles or original packaging.

Hi Arvid, I put them in plastic bags and I peel the label off the original container and paste it on the bag. We just went through a number of airports and didn't have any problems. Good Luck!

As I have replied before to this question that gets asked a lot on this web site: I go to Europe every summer for 3 or 4 weeks and take 3 prescription medications with me in their original bottles and a letter from my primary doctor explaining what I am taking. One is a narcotic. I also take several "over the counter" types of pills and put them into small bottles that will hold a months supply. I have never been questioned by anyone, either in Europe or when returning to the US. Am I just lucky? Don't know but I have not hit the Lottery yet.

We take the medicine in the original containers and I put my herbs and vitamins in plastic baggies with labels.