Medications

I wouldn't. Meds need to be in original bottles with the prescription label attached, just like you received them from the pharmacist. Otherwise customs won't know what they are and will question what you are bringing in to the country. It could cause you problems.

Here is the answer I've posted before:
TSA does NOT require that meds be in original bottle or label. 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- and I take a large number of medications)
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. You also need to dose size and frequency (ex. 10 mg. tablets, 2 tablets 3 times a day).

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. Put all the small bags into one larger 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 and keep it with the organizer. Or just take the printouts that the pharmacy gives you when you pick up your prescriptions.

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 with your email address 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. This should be identifies to the TSA agent. Also if you use a CPAP, nebulizer, etc, these devices must be declared and removed for separate screening. Most airlines don't count these bags in # of allowed carry-ons.

New Note- I'm not sure why people think the original bottle is so special- you could easily take out pills and replace them with others........

So far the only "customs" inspectors that actually checked anything were the Americans at the Calgary airport checking the takeaway food we were carrying into the terminal on our return to the States.

Entering Europe (including Italy) I have always walked through the nothing to declare exit and have never been checked.

I say carry your bottles, I have traveled to Europe almost every year for 15 years and I can tell you they never do anything the same twice. Also if you have a supply of pills you will be covered if some big delay happens and it can, such as Volcano's, strikes and cancellations, you never know when you leave the country what can happens. If you have your meds you can almost handle replacing anything else.

And please bring several extra days' worth of your meds (if they are must-take prescriptions)! You can lose them down the sink drain, under the bed, etc. and if your flight is delayed a day...or a week...

As one who travels extensively year around and carries meds all the time (and has lived in Paris, Rome, and Florence), I strongly suggest that you carry all medications in their original labeled containers and also carry along a prescription for each one in case of loss. Things can happen that would lead to you and your unlabeled pills being questioned and possibly detained. It might not but it is not worth the hassle.

I know several people (including myself) who take lots of pills and bringing all the original bottles would mean a lot of extra weight and space taken up in carry on. Everyone I know uses the 7-day carriers or the little plastic zip-loc bags made for this purpose. Have never been questioned and don't know anyone who has. I always carry the extra label they give you at the pharmacy and a copy of the prescription itself just in case. Otherwise no issue, don't sweat it. Here's a couple of links to some previous threads.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/medications-in-carry-on-bag
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/packing-prescription-meds-to-europe

By the way, TSA recommends (but does not require) them to be in the original containers.

Has ANYONE here been stopped going through customs and questioned about their medications? Or seen anyone who has? I am talking about say the last 15 years, or since they have had the green line "nothing to declare" line in the European countries. I have not, nor do I know of anyone who has.

If you take a lot of meds and vitamins, the bottles take up too much space. Put them in a pill minder or plastic bags, and bring extras in case of delays. And DEFINATELY bring the labels for each prescription med.

If you are super concerned about it, you could bring the bottles for any narcotic pain med if you have that---oxycodone, Vicodin, or whatever. Narcotics are what they might possibly care about---in the rare event they stopped you to ask.

@Toni

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

US Customs DOES require it(http://tinyurl.com/ol2xcj8):
"...Prescription medications should be in their original containers with the doctor's prescription printed on the container. It is advised that you travel with no more than personal use quantities, a rule of thumb is no more than a 90 day supply. 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. A valid prescription or doctors note is required on all medication entering the U.S...."

@Sasha

Has ANYONE here been stopped going through customs and questioned
about their medications?

Me. At Newark airport reentering the US. I was selected for a hand search. They found an asthma inhaler, and a nose spray for hay fever. Both had factory labels on them describing the medications, but all they cared about was the pharmacy label; I got a major chewing out about it. I wasn't fined/strip searched, and nothing was confiscated....but it did lead to further questioning and a more thorough search of my dirty underwear. Fortunately Newark was my final destination, but if I had a connecting flight there is a good chance I would have missed it.

Thinking about the movie "Midnight Express" don't strap your opiates to your body then go through Turkish security. 2 kg is more than a personal use quantity even in Colorado or Washington States.

@ Michael, this is the key in your post from the TSA: "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."

So, put them in the little baggies or pill minders and carry copies of the prescriptions and pharmacy labels and you're good to go. Takes up a lot less room.

Regarding the inhaler and nasal spray, a factory label saying what they are for is not the same as a copy of your prescription and a copy of the pharmacy label with your name on it.

EDIT oops sorry Michael, US Customs then, not TSA, my response remains the same. And you're right that inhalers need to be their original container - I take my inhaler with me to Europe also.

@Nancy
The rules I quoted are from US Customs not the TSA.

Regarding the inhalers, you are correct I was in violation of the rules. I now travel with the boxes the inhalers come in which have the pharmacy labels. At the time it was only my second trip overseas, and I was unaware. The more stamps you have in your passport the more strict officials are as they expect seasoned travelers to know the rules. My goal is always to be 100% compliant.

Exactly. "Should be" in their original containers is not the same as "must be.". The alternative of carrying prescription labels separately from pills in bags shows that this OK.

The inhaler might have been problematic as it is an aerosol? A "factory label" can be faked. Without the actual prescription, you were not in compliance.

And that was coming back to the US, not entering Europe.

And that was coming back to the US, not entering Europe.

In my case that's semantics. With inhalers there is no way measure-out exact dosages

I do something between original containers and baggies. We belong to Kaiser and every medication (pills, that is) comes in the same size bottle - huge. This would take significant space in my luggage. I went to an independent pharmacy and asked if they would sell me some of their smallest pill bottles. The cost was minimal. Then, when I refilled my prescriptions at Kaiser, I asked for an extra label. At first the clerk told me that was impossible (which is ridiculous), but I held my ground and a supervisor okayed it. Now they never question it. The new labels go on the small bottles, so they always have up-to-date information. I also carry a filled 7-day pill container and I've never been questioned about it.

Having the RX label is VERY important.

On our trip in the fall, my husband discovered that he had not brought enough of one med he takes daily. So he worked out a formula for taking it to make what he had last until we got home. All along during our time in Istanbul and Greece, I kept asking him if he wanted to go to a local pharmacy and see if we could get enough for him to take them normally and he refused to do it.

Fast forward to getting standby stuck in Fiumicino. He then realized that he was going to totally run out. So we took the bottle down to the local pharmacy. The pharmacist had pretty good English and was able to sell us the exact same thing in a small amount which got him back on track and lasted for awhile after we got home.

I always take at least a couple of weeks extra of my meds. He would have had plenty if he had counted that particular prescription more carefully and added some from the new bottle we had at home. It's the first time he's been so lazy about doing that, but I bet it will be the last.

This is all you have to know about bringing prescription meds to Europe:
If you're renting a car, the driver (and probably the passenger) should get a prescription for anti-depressants before you leave.
If you're taking the train, all you need is a bottle of wine, to celebrate your finesse in knowing how to get around Europe the ways the locals do. And you can get the bottle of du vin over there.

I'm in trouble, then. I have an Epi-Pen, two of them to be exact. I threw away the box they came in along with the "trainer" pen because it was bulky. No where on the pens does it indicate it's a prescription (and I have 2 doses of epinephrine in my purse)!

Ask your pharmacist for a copy of the prescription.

Of course its ok.
Would I do it , no.
I have had my medication questioned during a random Heathrow inspection in 2013, since it was all in ziplock plastic bags including the doctors letters, it wasn't questioned further. In New Zealand last year, it was also a very quick inspection.
In two weeks another adventure begins , I just don't see the point of not taking the simple steps recommended for international travel.

I just might meet that very unhappy customs lady at Heathrow again.

We take all our medications -- prescriptions and supplements -- in ziplock bags, each filled with one day's prescription, and have never had any problems with this system. We go to Europe every other year. If I were worried about it, I suppose I could add a single sheet list of my prescriptions copied from my hospital's website, but I've never found it necessary. I would never take each medication in its individual bottle, as that would take up far too much room in my travel bag. I travel extensively through the US in my job and have also never had a problem with this with the TSA folks.