Taking meds through customs...

I have heard that as long as you have a prescription with your name or the pharmacy medication information page with your name, name of the medication and prescribing physicians name printed on it that it will also be accepted, even if the medications are not in their original bottle.

Thanks, but..... I have also read that somewhere, but I'm hoping to hear from someone that actually did it.

Thanks again..

Maybe you can go to a pharmacy in Boulder (Walgreens or a national chain and explain to them that you will be traveling and ask if they would do you the favor of bottling up your meds so that you can get through customs. They may charge you a few dollars but I bet they would help you out. Even an independent pharmacy would probably do it for you. Give it a try it can't hurt!! My meds are always in bottles from a pharmacy so I really can't answer your question but thought that I would try to help with an idea. Happy travels!!!

I am thinking about taking my prescription bottles with me thru security then while waiting for our flight, put them into individual baggies or my pill minder and throwing the bottles away. Just save the old BIG bottles from the last refill and put the rest of your pills in it.

Jayne, I too receive 90 supplies in larger bottles. Last month, I combined 6 prescrptions into two bottles and had these two bottles in a ziplock bag (full 30-day supply). Each of the two bottles had my name on them. As backup, I had a copy in my travel bag of all of my original prescrptions. At each security location, I pulled out my two ziplock bags. One was my prescriptons and the other was my 3 oz stuff like shampoo, shaving gel, etc. At one stop, I forgot to take out the prescrptions ziplock and they went looking for it. I was not hasseled at any time about the prescriptions. If they are not out, they suspect liquids and gels. Just put them out where they can see them and you shouldn't have a problem. None of my presriptions were gels or liguids. It was simply helpful that that they could see them. At one airport, there was a TSA person on the input side of the belt and as my stuff was going in, she yelled out that the bottles were presriptions and it simply went through.

Jayne, I too receive 90 supplies in larger bottles. Last month, I combined 6 prescrptions into two bottles and had these two bottles in a ziplock bag (full 30-day supply). Each of the two bottles had my name on them. As backup, I had a copy in my travel bag of all of my original prescrptions. At each security location, I pulled out my two ziplock bags. One was my prescriptons and the other was my 3 oz stuff like shampoo, shaving gel, etc. At one stop, I forgot to take out the prescrptions ziplock and they went looking for it. I was not hasseled at any time about the prescriptions. If they are not out, they suspect liquids and gels. Just put them out where they can see them and you shouldn't have a problem. None of my presriptions were gels or liguids. It was simply helpful that that they could see them. At one airport, there was a TSA person on the input side of the belt and as my stuff was going in, she yelled out that the bottles were presriptions and it simply went through.

We have the pharmacy print us an extra label that is then put on a small freezer zip lock bag and covered with clear sealing tape. We then put the meds in the bag. In addition, we also take the data sheet showing our name, Rx # & name, and etc. We have never been questioned (knock on wood)in five trips to Europe. We also take a back up supply the same way and keep the back ups with us just in case something happens to the main supply in our bags while we are out and about during the day. Hope this helps.

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I never thought about combining pills into one labelled bottle... and the next time I get refills, I will start saving all the extra labels.

My experience is that ONLY the US worries about medications. In all of our travels (15+ years, 300 days) we have never been asked, looked at, question, etc. when going into another country. Most customs/immagations checks for European countries is for passport only, never luggage. However, returning to the US is another issue. It is far easier to leave the US, than it is to return. By the time I return to the US I am down to a half a dozen pills in a small bottle. Never a question.

I am have to agree with Frank. My wife and I both use 90 day prescriptions. We just put our vacation supply in any old bottles we can find, and throw them in our carry on. We never put them in a baggy to show people (except for the aerosols). None of the countries that we have been to has even looked at our prescriptions. The only problem we have ever had was comming back into the US. I had run out of a prescription in Austria, and got some at a pharmacy there. When I came thru, Customs pulled me aside and asked what drugs I had just purchased in Europe! Big Brother at work!

On all our trips to Europe we have never had our prescription drugs checked or mentioned at customs. We carry all meds together in one container, but also carry along prescription slips we receive from the pharmacy. Though we've never needed them, they will come in handy if we ever lose our meds.

Thanks again, Everyone!

TSA agents are not narcotics agents. They do not care about pills, whether presecription or over-the-counter. There are reasons for carrying a copy of prescriptions with you---such as if you lose your pills and need to get them replaced in Europe. But you do not need copies of the prescriptions to get through security, or to pass customs in Europe. Everyone I know carries aspirin, vitamins, and prescription pills in ziplock baggies or pill-minders, and we have never been asked about them. However, if your prescription meds include a narcotic painkiller, it would be a good idea to carry the prescription with you to show you have them legally. You could also take just what you need for the trip, and discard any excess before going through customs in the US idf you are worried about it.

I fly often and have for a long time both in the US and Europe. I also take morophine which I put in my carry-on in its perscription bottle. I also carry a letter from my doctor explaining what and why. I have NEVER been questioned by authorities, either in the US or in Europe, about the drug. Now that I have stated that and the fact that I am flying to Europe next month........oh, well.