Hello ~
I have read in numerous places that you should only bring medications in the original pharmaceutical bottles with prescription label affixed. However, my question relates to vitamins ... are you allowed to bring various vitamins on an international flight in a pillbox or other container other than the giant vitamin bottle? Any guidance is appreciated. Thanks!
I do it all the time, Julie. I count out the number of each thing that I need for the trip, and throw them all together in a ziploc bag. No one has ever cared or asked about them. Security is looking for weapons, not vitamins.
I recently checked the TSA site for another reason (needed to take my nebulizer on a flight and wanted to double check). It specificly says that medications DO NOT have to be in labled or original containers. HOWEVER, it is always advisable to take detailed information with you about the medications you take- including over the counter and vitamins/minerals, etc. The TSA is not concerned with it, but you might be if you become ill, an so will the physician or pharmacist who tries to help you.
I think the people who check you know which drugs they are looking for. While anything is possible, I can't recall hearing someone get in trouble for vitamins regardless of how they are packaged.
For prescription drugs, you want the bottle because it shows the drugs are prescribed to you (hopefully the name on the bottle matches the name on your passport).
I think Rush Limbaugh got in trouble not long ago for entering the country with drugs that were prescribed to his doctor. Apparently he was concerned about his privacy so his doctor put them in his own name. After some calls, it was cleared up and he wasn't fined or arrested. I don't remember what the drugs were but it wasn't the oxyconton he got in trouble for earlier.
I use the little individual plastic med bags ( at drugstore) and put each days pills in them (meds and vitamins).I went for a month to Europeand 30 tiny bags was much easier to pack than bottles or the plastic daily boxes. Never had any trouble at airports and I used only a carry bag and large purse. I did have little bags everywhere they would fit.
Thanks, everyone, for the helpful tips. You can probably tell that I'm a little 'green' at this. I appreciate your help!
My husband is a supplement junkie. I bought him one of those craft boxes from Micheal's that is designed for beads, or thread...it has 16 different little compartments. Lid snaps shut and he's never had a spill
he labeled each one on the lid. Before we travel, he fills the little compartments with his pills. He can open on the one box and see all at once.
Now, I think this is crazy, cuz I only take a muli-vitamin and a calcium pill, but he "needs" his supplements - so he travels with this.
it does pack light, and it's well organized. Thought I'd add to this tread with what works for my husband.
I peeled the label of the bottle and put it with my vitamins in a snack-size ziploc. I've never been questioned, but I would think the label would be a sufficient explanation of the contents.
Unless you are carrying what might be considered to be a "commercial" quantity of anything I can't you being questioned about any medications.
