Alternative to large prescription bottles?

You don't need the original bottles. Devise some simple storage system for yourself and just bring the prescription labels. I just use little plastic bags. And for anything that's prescription-based, I tape the prescription label to the front of the bag. I travel with quite an assortment of stuff, mostly over-the counter, but with 3 prescription items, and no one, in any country, has ever questioned my medicines. No one has ever looked at the labels for my prescriptions, but I bring them just to be safe.

I have read many times that prescriptions must be in their original bottles, but have never traveled that way. None of my prescriptions or vitamins have much like resale value on the street. Opiods would have a resale value and I would likely be more inclined to take them in a prescription bottle. Currently, I pack them in plastic bags.

Is it common in the U.S. for prescription drugs to come in large bottles? I take several different drugs, and all but one come in blister packs which show the name of the drug. The one that doesn't is in a small plastic container. Why is the practice different in different countries?

Bob - blister packs are pretty uncommon for prescription drugs in the US.

The large bottles may be because many insurance companies want you to buy a 90 day supply to lower the cost.

The NHS don't want you doing yourself an injury. Makes the tablets more expensive to manufacture, too.

I love the idea of the blister packs for ease of keeping track of the right dosage and whether I've taken the medicine, though my environmentally-conscious side cringes at the amount of packaging! :-)

Edited to add - the blister packs also seem like they'd protect the pills better. You don't have 90 pills rattling around in a big bottle turning to dust.

Another option would be to take a picture of the prescription label or bring any paperwork that has similar information. I used to get prescriptions from Target and they would provide a small label that had all the prescription information as well as a description of the pill that was either with my receipt or tucked into the prescription bottle. It was not actually stuck on the bottle so that was great to take when traveling. That option may no longer be available now that their pharmacies are part of CVS.

And as to the large bottles, my insurance company requires that I use their mail order pharmacy for 90 day amounts for any maintenance prescriptions.

Liquid meds do not have to go in the 311 bag. If you are taking RX pills 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 and I can only remember reading about one case in the last 20 years.

I just read of a new company called Pill Pack. I have not used their services. They will package your meds by dose (day, time). It appears that they work with some insurance companies. It looks smaller and lighter than blister packs.
Again, I haven't used their services so I don't know about the quality.

Other alternatives:
Make your own blister packs.

Ask your pharmacist to do a blister pack. This will cost you extra in the US.

I use a plastic travel pill case--slim, gasket so moisture can't get in and several compartments with plenty of room for any pills or vitamins I might need for several weeks. It goes in my carry-on and has never been questioned. My only prescription med is for cholesterol so I don't bring the paper copy, but when I brought a good quantity of Vicodin for my injured arm & shoulder I did bring that prescription just in case.

Be careful what you are taking where. There was a story on the BBC earlier this week when a husband had left a prescription pain killer in his suitcase which was the one his wife took on her holiday to Russia. The Russians took exception because the medication is banned in Russia.

She was arrested and detained. She may well be free now, I don't know, because after the story showed her distraught husband back home pleading for her to be released I haven't seen a follow-up.

Yes, it is a thing in the US for insurance to require prescription drugs to be purchased in 90 day amounts usually from the mail order pharmacy owned by the insurance company at a sometimes considerable cost savings over a single month supply from local pharmacies. The drugs are shipped with the entire 90 day supply in one huge bottle per prescription. This makes carrying the drugs very difficult if you take more than one or two and you are trying to pack light. Also, some of these might be looked at strangely if an immigration officer would take a look due to the size of the container and the number of pills in them.

Also in the US the prescription bottle has listed on it not only what the drug is that is supposed to be in the container, but also the name of the prescribing doctor, phone number of the pharmacy, DEA authorisation for narcotic type drugs, the dosage, how many of the items are in the bottle/package, manufacturer of the drug, and a description of the item (i.e. purple capsule, white round tablet, or whatever).

What I have done to get around having to carry those huge bottles is to have my doctor write a prescription for each of my drugs for a single month supply which I take to my local pharmacy. I ask them to put the drug in the smallest possible bottle. Insurance does still pay for these in my case as long as I get the small ones filled so that it meshes with the refill schedule of the 90 day supplies.

I keep smaller pill bottles, I peeled the labels ( carefully ) off larger bottles stuck them on smaller ones and just took what I needed

I've used baggies, counting out the number of pills needed, plus a few days extra in case of travel delays. I photo copy the sheet that comes with the drugs and has a copy of the label on it. On over a dozen trips to Europe I've never been questioned even when the baggies were pulled out during a security search in Germany.

We use baggies, dump the pills in all together as we know which is which and carry a print out of the prescriptions with their brand and generic names from the pharmacy. We've done this for many years, all over the world and have never been asked about them.

I do as Pat posted. I take prescription opiates that come in a smaller bottle as well as several other prescriptions that I put into smaller bottles and transfer the original label onto the smaller bottle. I have gone to Europe for 14 of the last 15 years and I have never been asked about any of my pills as I keep my fingers crossed in hopes that it does not start next year. I also take a letter from my general practitioner doctor stating the prescriptions I take just in case I ever do get asked.

I bought little ziplocks called EZY Dose. Those things are crazy convenient for so much more than pills. I put the pills in the baggie and write the drug and strength on the label. All the little baggies go in one bigger baggie or in the zipper section of my hanging toiletry bag. I use them all the time.

Yes, it is a thing in the US for insurance to require prescription drugs to be purchased in 90 day amounts usually from the mail order pharmacy owned by the insurance company at a sometimes considerable cost savings over a single month supply from local pharmacies.

My insurance company offers a savings for purchasing a 3-month supply, but it's not a requirement.

As for the original question, my prescriptions all come in the same size (large) bottle. I assume it's a cost saving choice. I went to an independent pharmacy and purchased small prescription bottles that will hold just the amount I need to take. They were very inexpensive. Then, I ask my pharmacy to print an extra label for each of my current prescriptions and I stick them on my small bottles. I've been using the same bottles for years.

Narcotics should be kept in their original containers. Other med.s can be placed in any sort of small container or pill organizer you desire. I take small "hockey puck" shaped screw lid containers. Any small container will do. Then, put an abbreviation label on the container - so that YOU know what it is. You can take med. labels if you wish for your own use. Over the counter med.s that come in blister packs are already labeled on the back - you can just bring the blister pack and leave the box at home. Security is interested in things that can bring down a plane like knives, explosives, fire starters, etc.. Pills do not cause plane crashes. Just take what you need for the length of your trip, plus an extra 3 - 5 days.

This is an answer I've posted before
I use the small Ziploc type bags (Rite aid carries them in their travel section) to hold each of the pills, then put them inside a larger baggie to organize (hubby’s prescriptions in one, mine in another, and otc’s in a third). Takes very little space.

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).
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.
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. 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, or in an envelope or folder with the organizer.

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. NOTE**- Pharmacies in other countries CANNOT accept/fill prescriptions from US (or Canadian) physicians. Feel free to private message me if you want a sample copy of the info sheet. Also, the info sheets that come with prescriptions could be helpful for foreign medical personnel- or a letter from your physician stating your condition(s), and what is prescribed.

Also, note that liquid meds (even if more than more than 3 oz.) should NOT be placed in your 3-1-1 bag, but should be in their own baggie, in the original bottle. Also if you use a CPAP, nebulizer, etc, these devices must be declared and removed for separate screening. Most airlines don't count these in # of allowed carry-ons.

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

US Customs does require it:

"...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...."

http://tinyurl.com/ol2xcj8

Michael Schneider as you observe you have to be an attorney to know the difference between "should" and "shall" or "must". But that's just U.S. law. What about the laws in the country you are traveling in? I would much rather be seen as s drug trafficker in the U.S. than in Turkey for instance. I saw all those movies when I was a kid. I really don't know the answer.

ME? I take a bunch of meds. For 10 years I have carried one of these. I got copies of each of my prescriptions from the pharmacy and I folded them and stuck them in the appropriate pouches. With 8 different medications, some of them horse pills, the bottles were just crazy to carry.

Is it the right thing to do. It "should" work with the U.S. customs, but like I said I have no idea in the rest of the world. Fortunately I have never been asked.

I researched Hungary for instance and the only "official" statement I could find was at the US Embassy in Hungary website which said:

Medicine and Narcotics:
A general rule: Bring only the medicines you will need, no more, no less. A traveler requiring medicines that contain potentially addictive drugs or narcotics (e.g. some cough medicines, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, or stimulants) should:
•Declare all such drugs, or medicines, and similar products to the CBP officer;
•Carry such substances in their original containers;
•Carry only the quantity of such substances that a person with that condition (e.g. chronic pain) would normally carry for his/her personal use; and
•Carry a prescription or written statement from your physician that the substances are being used under a doctor's supervision and that they are necessary for your physical well being while traveling.
Please note that only medications that can be legally prescribed in the United States may be imported for personal use.

I am assuming that I will need a prescription to take instant ice packs on the plane. Also has anyone ever taken a gel bead ice pack (that you put in freezer) in carry-on. Would that be covered by the prescription?

I actually saw something about ice packs on the TSA website. You should read it.

Larlock, are you sure you will have access to a freezer for those ice pack things? If not, leave them at home. They are heavy and bulky. Even if yes, you can probably create your own with a freezer bag of water frozen or melted to slushy stage or you can buy something similar at a local pharmacy.

Lo,
I recently got the shingles on my face and by my eye (get your shingles shot). I use a gel mask to reduce the swelling of my eye before bed--usually falling asleep with it on. I am hoping that by the trip in October I will no longer need it but . . . just trying to cover all my bases. We have rented airbnb's for most of the trip and a convent with frig in room for the last couple of days so getting it cold should not be a problem.

My trips tend to be long and I have to take prescription meds. I used to take the original bottles. Now, I spend some time putting them into dose bags and then put each does bag into larger ziploc bags and mark them "Morning" and "Evening." I then have the pharmacy print out a set of labels, exactly the same as they would for bottles, and put them with the pills. It is much lighter and takes up less room. It's also a lot easier to grab one bag for each dose rather than trying to figure it out twice a day.

Since all my meds are generic, I'm not worried. And since I have Global Entry, I'm even less worried coming back into the USA.

I did have a British airport security person peruse one of my bottles of meds once but didn't open it. She looked at the label and shook it to hear if pills were inside. (It wasn't clear and she couldn't see what was inside.)

The Pill Bags is use are these:

Pill Bags

HMRC for entry into the UK recommend the use of original packaging but it is not an absolute requirement.

You can also find small clear zip bags at your local craft store such as Michaels or a local pharmacy.

I use the small Go-toob containers, I can usually get 14 days plus a few extras in each one. They are different colors so it is easy to keep everything straight. I then take a letter from my doctor on his letterhead that lists each Med, the dosage and what it is for. In 10 years of travel I have never had any issues with TSA or customs.

Frank II:

"Since all my meds are generic, I'm not worried. "

I don't see what difference that makes if border agent is inspecting them. Could you elaborate? Thanks.

I do what Nancy from Oregon does for smaller bottles and labels, and also pre pack a week's planner. I also have a photocopy of my 2 prescriptions in case life goes awry.

Why leave it to chance that some day one official person will want proof of what's in the bottle. My posted reply above is one of my preventive travel dilemma strategies. Just like carrying around my original passport in my money belt and leaving a copy at home with someone and another copy back in my room safe, why leave these situations to chance?

Sorry, Mark, that should have read "common" generics--the medication that costs virtually nothing and is probably seen daily everywhere. No narcotics.

Diane, you are the most prudent of all of us.

I travel with medication for a heart condition (four different tablets). I purchased a 'pill box' from my local Pharmacy. The pill box has 14 seperate compartments, 2 compartments for each day (AM & PM). Each of these compartments will hold in excess of 2 months supply (60 tablets) of tablets (it takes up about the same space as a packet of cigarettes).

Anyway, I've travelled O/S for periods up to 10 weeks with no problems using this system. As for carrying your prescription, all I do is cut out the label (your name/medication/pharmacy) of the packet the medication came in, just in case some official asks, thought they never have.

Another reason to make sure you take a copy of your RX with the generic name is if you have a medical emergency while you are traveling. The local doctor or hospital will need to know what you are taking. It is also wise to take a list of the supplements and vitamins you are taking so that the medical personnel know that as well.

Just because it has never happened to you, doesn't mean it will never happen to you.

The rules are posted for a reason, but I seriously doubt that any border official, no matter how bored they might be, is going to harass a traveler because he or she has a dozen narcotic pain pills in their suitcase just for fun (and how would he know you have them anyway?). People get selected for extra screening every day and you could be the one unlucky person with the baggy of mixed pills which raises suspicion. Won't speculate at what the worst that can happen might be. But for me the worst would be having them confiscated because I cannot function without my pills. So I will just keep continue keeping all of them in labeled pharmacy bottles.

I do check before traveling that all of my meds are acceptable in the countries I will be visiting. Just because one drug might be a common generic in the US does not mean it is legal even with a prescription in other countries.

When returning to the US as an American citizen, I have never, ever been stopped by US Customs.

That gives me a chuckle Rose. A certain percentage of travelers get selected everday for hand searches by customs. It happened to me once at Newark airport. They discovered a prescription nose spray I was carrying without the pharmacy label. Even though I was not fined/confiscated, I did get a big time lecture about the label rule, and it lead them to throughly search every inch of my belongs and answer some very personal questions I was uncomfortable answering. It delayed me big time, fortunately I didn't have a connecting flight to catch. Ignore the rules at your own peril.

US Customs does require it:

"...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....

"....should be in their original containers...." does not mean "MUST". Read further and it specifies what must be done if medications are not in their original containers. This indicates that there is an alternative to bringing the original container.

And also as I stated, there is probably no border agent anywhere in the world who is going to harass any tourist for a few dozen pills in their bag. Now several gallon size bags of unlabeled pills would be another issue. :-)

True I have never been asked by border agents or customs about any of the drugs in my suitcase either in any of my foreign trips taken since 1980 which is approaching the 100 count. One time I had a large package of Mozart chocolates which the border agent claimed I could not bring into the US and he confiscated them and that was the only time so far in all my travels I have ever been questioned about anything.

I saw one person dragged away by customs when I was returning from Jamaica who jokingly stated to their travel partner "I hope they don't ask me about all the coke in my suitcase." She meant Coca-Cola (this was the 1980's during the time when Coke changed to New Coke and everyone was trying to get the Old Coke because it tasted better) of which she filled her entire suitcase with cans of. Last I saw her the entire contents of her suitcase was dumped on the floor and a dog was sniffing everything. Did not see her ever again.

I carry a printed list from my pharmacy which has a list of my current medications, the date they were prescribed etc. so I can take smaller bottles of medications with me.

I have been questioned twice about prescriptions - once in Hong Kong regarding my epipen - they wanted a letter from my doctor which I did not have (although the prescribing information including the doctor's name is on the epipen label). I had to try to understand what the problem was and unfortunately (and surprisingly given this was Hong Kong), there was no English speaking official available. It was eventually sorted out.

The second time was entry to Australia. I carry steroids for asthma and they wanted documentation of a prescription.

I have not had an issue in Europe to date, but once past immigration, I take the "nothing to declare" line and have not been stopped for an additional check by Customs.

I now am more careful about having the right documentation with my prescriptions, hence the document from my pharmacy.