I generally fill two weeks worth of meds in 2 pill cases at home. I’m so nervous about traveling with my meds improperly and have seen several suggestions (usually conflicting advice). So, pack all my bottles and a pill case to sort them in once I arrive or ??? Don’t want to run into any problems as this is my first adventure out of country.
Thank you!
Don't be nervous, meds are usually no problem in EU countries or returning to the US. Apparently the authorities are interested in things other than your or my prescription meds.
Best to bring your original containers that show it's a legal prescription, maybe especially so if there are any controlled substances (ambien, some pain killers, etc). But otherwise don't sweat it, just so you have a pill sorter or some other way of keeping up with your daily meds while in Europe.
It is extremely unlikely that customs, TSA or anyone with care about your meds. That said, I always want to keep the actual prescription label with the medication. I ask my pharmacist to print extra labels and I put them on small ziploc bags and fill accordingly. I always include 5 or so more than I need. I've never had tablets break or become crushed, but I'm thinking that perhaps I'll include some very small bubble wrap sheets in the larger ziploc bag that I use for carrying all meds. Prescription liquids do not count towards your 3-1-1 limitations. If space is not a concern for you, I think the best practice is to keep meds in their original container. If you are going to use the pill boxes, I would ask for a print out that would identify each med should you be asked.
As Jules said, just keep meds in the original containers from the pharmacist--that's easy. No reason to take the meds out of their original container and putting them in a pill container, before your departure, because then, technically, you couldn't prove you had a prescription.
Just common sense and it's easy. When you get to your first destination, then you can transfer meds to a pill sorter or whatever.
Don't worry about this, just keep the meds in the original containers from the pharmacy, and then this is totally a non-issue for you.
And enjoy all you're going to see and do!
While issues with the authorities is remote, if you had to, it would be nice to be able to explain why you have a stash (either original containers or prescriptions) especially if you need controlled pain meds.
Aside from that, if you take critical meds (Can't go a day without) having the original container or a prescription would be critical for getting replacements, you do not want to try to verbally explain what you need. You would be surprised at how many people report spilling pills down the drain, losing some, packing the wrong amount, etc.
Bottom line, if not too bulky, original containers are best, you may even be able to have your pharmacy package in smaller containers or even individual pack. If volume and space is an issue, have copies of prescriptions.
I've always traveled with my meds in weekly "sticks". I have never been questioned, and have never heard of anybody having personal meds in an amount to cover their trip.
I can't imagine that being something immigration would be concerned about, unless you are traveling with a huge cache.
Thank you all. Was considering looking into that “PillPack.com” deal. Will keep in original and pack an empty sorter. It’s more an issue of space, easier to take flat pill cases rather than about 12 bottles of prescriptions (mostly minerals and vitamins, etc. No pain pills. )
That will work perfectly.
And don't worry about this stuff--your job is to have fun.
We’ve traveled all over the world for many years. We pour our pills into baggies; one for night and another for morning. We know what each pill is named and it’s purpose. We also carry a print out of our meds from our doctor in case we end up needing medical care as the list has the proper name as well as the brand name which is important if going to an MD in another country. We have both needed medical care while in other countries.
When Italians go to the pharmacy to have their prescription filled, they don’t receive meds in that special orange plastic containers with a personal label like we do in the US. They receive the meds in the original manufacturer’s package (which contains the max allowed by the prescription). When prescriptions were in paper, the pharmacist would keep it and attach a label from the manufacturers package box to it and retain it for reimbursement from the National Health System. Not sure how it works now for computerized prescriptions but Italians do not generally keep a copy of the prescription.
Because of that, nobody in Italy has the expectation that you carry your prescription meds in the individually labeled orange containers. That system is totally foreign to the way it works in Italy. They have no idea pharmacies in America transfer pills from the manufacturers’ package to the individually labeled plastic containers, therefore nobody in Italy would even dream of asking you for the plastic container with the label in your name. Those plastic meds containers do not even exist in Italy.
I work in healthcare and when I describe that to my pharmacist friends in Italy they say: “no wonder you pay so much for healthcare in America. You have to pay pharmacists to recount pills already counted in the manufacturers ‘ package and move them from the package to the orange container.” To which I respond: “that, plus the fact that American pharmacists get paid $180k+ for doing so, just to count pills in a box and type a label.”
I put all my prescription meds in one container, sometimes a small jelly jar.
We travel a lot. I have three different medications, and I just leave them in the original bottles from the pharmacy, and put all three in a ziplock bag. That way I don't have to worry about sorting the pills and they have their official labels on them. I carry my medications in my carry-on (don't want to risk losing them) and have never had any problems going through security.
I will add that the reason you find conflicting advice is that there is not a set standard or "correct answer". I would be most concerned about having what you need for your health. So, like several have suggested a list of meds (brand and generic names) would be helpful for a pharmacist or a dr. should you need medical attention. And really, seriously, like Kent said, this is nothing to be concerned about.
Individual baggies, one for each prescription with the Rx label peeled off the original bottle and pasted on the baggie -- much easier to carry! Works for me because I take everything once a day.
The one time we carried a controlled substance (pain pills in case a wonky tooth went bad on the road) we DID carry them in the original container, with prescription attached.
I deal with pills on trips the same way I do at home. I don't take many different meds, but I typically travel for about a month, so I do have to carry more than I would for a shorter trip. I also have to take some things at somewhat specific times.
Here's what I do with my meds, which seems to be very different from what most folks do.
I've always carried all the meds, both OTC and prescriptions in a well-marked clear 1 gallon ziplock bag, but I could never keep them neat in it.
They'd slide all over the place, making the bag take up more space than it needed to . Next trip I'm going to try stacking them in this narrow Eagle Creek cube. It will fit vertically along the edge of this new Sea to Summit cross-body personal item bag I just got.
@Laura B, Have you tried asking your pharmacist to just print you off an extra set of labels? Mine does for our family. It would just simplify. The first time I thought it might be considered an odd request. He thought it was a great idea.
Thanks for the suggestion, jules. I always seem to have old pill bottles around with spare labels, but I will check about getting extra labels the next time I refill 90-day prescriptions.
We never take the original containers since they take up far too much room --- I use my phone to photograph the label with one of the pills, and pack the pills in small ziploc bags. Have gotten refills at Italian pharmacies several times without any problems.
If most of what you have is vitamins and minerals, then use zip lock bags for those. I have travelled much of the world carry on only with never a problem about pills or meds this way. If you have prescriptions, do as suggested, get a second prescription label and stick it onto a separate ziplock.
Don't overstress it, and have a wonderful time.
Thank you all for such great ideas! One less worry to check off the list!!
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. I remember reading about only one case in the last 20 years.
On the off chance that one of the medications you take is Benadryl (or generic equivalent), be sure to take plenty. You cannot buy Benadryl anywhere in Italy, even with a prescription. Learned that the hard way on our second visit to Italy.
Also Advil, Naproxen, etc. are available in Italy but cost several times as much as in the US.
I place my cholesterol pills in the tiniest Day-of-the-week container. Then I also place the prescription label in my toiletries bag. I also have the name & generic name in my TripIt app in case the pills were lost, and I needed that info.
Oh my goodness I wish I read this post before my vacation. I just returned from Italy---family of 4---with many, many medications, at least 20 bottles of pills. We had a gallon size bag FILLED with those orange Rx bottles (original labels, meds inside) and carried them on the plane so as not to lose them but they took up SO MUCH ROOM in our carryon bag. I nearly had to choose: Rx meds for family or neck pillow, ha ha. Next time I will ask for extra labels and use ziplock bags!!!
Suzie, I have 4 kids. That was me for quite a few years! I recall once going thru tsa in Denver and the official looks at the bag like, "what in the world", and the other official said, "mom", and the first nods!
Yup, ask for additional prescription labels and put everything, including vitamins in a separate little bag sold next to the pill cutters. Only thing I have to add is to sort am meds in one sandwich bag and PM meds in another
