packing question

What type of medications? Pills? Liquids? How long are you traveling?

You can bring in enough medication to last for your trip (and perhaps a few days more) as long as the medications are allowed in those countries. They prefer you keep them in their original container but what they really want to see is the prescription (such as the label that comes on the jars.) That being said, if any of your meds are narcotic or controlled substance, keep them in their original containers.

With liquids, while TSA allows you to bring more than 3.4 oz/100ml of liquid medicaiton in your carry on, most European airport security do not.

Many OTC meds can be purchased in Europe if needed. They may just be a different brand.

That is, of course, if your are stopped which is unlikely.

I usually just put the pills/supplements in very small ziplock bags and label them, and have my actual prescriptions available on my phone (via MyChart) if I'm ever asked for them (which has never happened). Of course, if they're liquid, then that comes under 3-1-1 rules as Frank mentioned.

I know you didn't ask this, but never pack your meds in your checked bags. Especially if it is something you need. One of our trips I almost packed my allergy meds and in the last min I added them to my carry on. 2 hours into our trip, I was like Oh a Kiwi, I haven't had one of these in like forever. Well all of the sudden my throat started to tingle and my ears started to turn red (this is how I know I am having a reaction) and I was so glad that I had my meds.

Another flight we needed to gate check our bags, we wanted it to our layover airport, but they checked them through all the way to our final destiation. My husband forgot to grab his pain meds (we were in the ER two days before with a kidney stone for him). Even though it passed he was still in quite a bit of pain and couldn't get to his meds.

Also you never know if you will make it to your desitnation and your bags may be in a different destination.

Best practice is to always have your prescription and keep your meds in their original containers. Regarding OTC, be aware that OTC meds in the US may not be OTC in the country you visit.

And, in over 40 years of global travel I have never had anyone in customs check my meds, prescriptions, etc.

If your medications are liquid you should look into the carry-on rules for the countries you may transit through on the way to your final destination. In the US, you can bring more than the standard 3oz. bottle (have the prescription) but that may not be the case in other countries. If your medications contain a needle (like an epi-pen), definitely have the prescription and keep the pen in its original container. I've had mine examined in Hong Kong and Italy.

Thanks so much to each of you for your helpful replies!

Most men would have a small backpack for personal items and meds. Women can get by with oversized purses.

Just keep your meds in their original bottles. If you ever got checked and the customs had to identify your pills, it might be a long drawn out experience for someone like my wife. If liquids go over 3.7 ounces, split them up in travel bottles

The good news is that we've never been checked in 20+ trips to Europe.

Once while flying domestically we passed the lost luggage office and a man was screaming at the poor staff about his mother’s lost bag that had her prescription medication in it.
My personal item is mostly my meds, some OTC meds ( in case I need them while in transit) and a change of clothes.