Meds, CPAP and Airport Security

The UK has a web site that explains their rules very nicely. I imagine France does too. Search and Google and no matter what you read here do what the government web sites say to do, to the letter of the law. Then sit back and enjoy your trip.

If any of your pills are narcotic or controlled substance, keep them in their original container. (Also check to make sure the medications are allowed in either the UK or France.)

Have a copy of each prescription--the one that comes on the bottles you get from the pharmacy. Your pharmacist will print them out if you need copies.

For anything injectible, have a note from your doctor.

Only bring enough for your trip and a few days extra. More than that and it could be questioned.

Customs is not trying to catch people with their own prescribed medication. Airport security only cares about the injectibles. I travel with three month worth of pills at the beginning of my trip--and that's about 900 pills. Almost all have been transferred to either ziploc bags or a weekly pill case. And I have never been stopped or questioned.

My experience is the same as Frank II but not 900 pills. Closer to 75 for a three week period. Never been questioned because you have nothing to declare and you walk through the Green door at customs without stopping. i used to worry a little bit about TSA seeing a zip lock bag of mixed pills. But, they have never said anything so throw everything in zip lock bags. But just plain old pills in a mix of color and sizes.

I just got back from England, and took meds enough for around 40 days, plus some extra. I also took CBD gummies, and a CPAP machine. Nobody blinked an eye or bothered to even look closely, that I'm aware of.

By the way, here's a tip for the CPAP. I got a new machine last year since my older one was 5 years old and Medicare pays for it. So I kept the old machine and that's what I travel with. Also, because Medicare provides new supplies every 3 months, I always have a stockpile of hoses, masks, and even a couple of reservoirs. When I get new supplies, I put them aside (if I'm close to a trip), then right before I leave, I take the older supplies and pack them in the case and put the new supplies on the home machine.

The morning I fly home, I pack the machine and the electric cord, then dump all the rest of the supplies. You can leave the case pockets for those empty or do what I do, which is pack it with clothes. Again, I've never been stopped or questioned about this.

We never have had even a comment carrying meds and a C-Pap through airport security throughout the world.

I would definitely not put meds in a checked bag; if the bag is lost or you're delayed in part of the journey, that could be really bad.

”…..we are flying into Paris and traveling to Normandy for the D-day anniversary events.”

I don’t have any medical information to share, but I hope all goes very well for you to attend this D-Day anniversary in Normandy! A very important, honoring trip.

I have traveled internationally a few times with an injectable medication (Humira). A few airports have checked the note from my doctor, and a few have not cared. I kept it in its original package. For my other meds (pill form), I usually take them out of the packaging without a problem, but I would recommend researching government sites and then deciding based on your comfort level. I would NOT put your meds in a check-in bag for lots of reasons- what if your bag is lost or delayed? Or your flight is delayed? Lots could go wrong there.

Yup, happens

https://nonuttraveler.com/allergy-medication-confiscated-by-security-at-london-heathrow-airport

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/heathrow-seizes-grans-lifesaving-medication-28939330

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2024/03/05/traveling-with-medicine-prescriptions/72685069007/

I have a of preplexing problem. In my new home country the prescription is confiscated when it is filled. The drugs dont come in bottles with a printed prescription label, they come in blister cards in boxes. I guess I will have to collect letters from my doctors.

I travel with a lot of meds - Rx pills, an injectable for diabetes, and a bunch of OTC supplements, none of which come with prescription labels. And it is always a concern that I will be questioned, or meds will be confiscated, at airport security somewhere. Hasn't happened yet, but it does raise anxiety levels for me.

The one takeaway after reading these threads is to stay away from LHR, even as a transit airport. Knock on wood, I have never had a problem at CDG, my go-to airport for international arrivals to and departures from Europe.

I do not have the link, but TSA does not care about meds carried in pill containers or baggies - it is on their site. TSA in the US is not the problem, it is overseas where the problems loom, at airport security checkpoints, not customs.