I'm wondering how best to handle my prescription drugs while going through TSA/customs etc. Is it better to bring them in the bottles from the pharmacy, plus written prescriptions for each of them? Or is it OK to pack them in my seven-days-a-week multi-compartment plastic container, where I usually put them with my daily vitamins at home?
Thanks!
Ideally, you want to have all your prescriptions in their filled bottles, especially if you're taking medicines that might be tightly controlled in other countries. But that could turn into a lot of space in a small carryon. I carry a lot of meds and there's no way I can carry each bottle so I tend to pull the prescriptions off and tape them onto little bags of the medicine. FWIW, I've never been asked about any of my meds, but I am cautious nonetheless.
I second Valerie's post - I have been doing that for 13 of the last 14 years with some heavy duty prescriptions and have never been asked about any of them.
There have been numerous threads on the forum about this topic, here is one that had lots of answers and suggestions:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/medications
Here's an answer I've given before.
The TSA does NOT require that meds be in original bottle or have the original 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 and lots more 'local' flights).
There are lots of acceptable 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 with the organizer.
I always take generics for : naproxen (Aleve), aspirin, Benadryl, omeprazole (Prilosec), cough gel caps (Nyquil/Dayquil), and Dramamine. Additionally, I take plenty of our prescription meds. I also have a small first aid ‘kit’ in a quart baggie with band aids of assorted sizes, gauze pads, adhesive tape, seri-strips, dental floss, alcohol wipes, hand wipes, and small packets of Neosporin and cortisone cream. 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.
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.
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. Feel free to private message me if you want a sample copy of the info sheet. Also, note that liquid meds (3 oz or of more than 3 oz) should **NOT be placed in your 3-1-1 bag, but should be in their own baggie, in 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-on.
Thanks very much!
I can get some of those little ziplock baggies.
Sandra, I do the same as Valerie or have the pharmacist print an extra label to put on ziploc bags. I also have a list of my over the counter medicines and prescribed medicines which I have my physician sign and include that in the large ziploc bag with all the medications. I don't know if that does any good but it makes me feel better!
Toni , thanks for your post. I am going to call and have my med information sent to me so I can take it on my trip.. very good idea even if I am taking the bottles.
G
We don't take any prescription medication, but we do take lots of supplements, and the occasional OTC pain pill. I pack them in small baggies, with hand-writen labels, and we've never been questioned. Of course, we're not going into cardiac arrest if an agent were to take our quercetin or glucosamine away!
In my decade of traveling to and through Europe, I have never been asked about any of the pills or prescription liquids in my one carry on bag that is the total of my luggage.
Even so, I do like to keep them all in their original containers whenever possible. Now that I get most of my drugs through the mail order pharmacy my insurance insists I use, it can be difficult because hauling the 90 day supply bottle on a 2 week trip does make for a lot of wasted space. I think I will try the labeled baggie method next time. Thanks for that idea!
On a somewhat related topic, back when Coke changed their formula, I was in a Caribbean country that still had the original Coke in cans. When passing through immigration on our return, lady behind me said "I stuffed my bag so full of Coke cans I can barely carry it!" To which the immigration agent perked up and took her aside and dumped every thing out of her suit case looking for the "cocaine" she was talking about. She was not amused.
In my decade of traveling to and through Europe, I have never been asked about any of the pills or prescription liquids in my one carry on bag that is the total of my luggage.
Well OK, but I've never been asked for my IDP either but that doesn't mean that one day, somewhere, one person won't insist on seeing it and heaven help me if I don't have it.
I don't think it's unwise to use the original bottles with all the fancy prescription info on them, that would be pretty tough to argue with. Also if you need an emergency refill, you can show the bottle to the pharmacist as proof.
I think my post (and some others') may have inadvertently implied that you can get your prescriptions filled/refilled at a pharmacy in Europe. YOU CAN NOT! But you can visit a physician there and show him your information and he can write a new prescription for you. Even carrying the original prescription from your doctor will not work. He / she is not licensed to practice medicine in which ever country you visit in Europe. Having the full name of your medication (brand name, generic name and if possible, the chemical name or at least the category - like statin, etc.) and knowing the purpose for the medication (to control high cholesterol, for high blood pressure, to help during an asthma attack, etc.) will help the doctor understand your needs.
It is important that you take sufficient prescription medications for the duration of your trip plus enough extra to get you through a few extra days (remember the volcano delays and canceled flights a few years ago, or 9-11.... ). If you 'depend' on a particular brand and strength of an over-the-counter medication, you should also take that with you. You may or may not find the same brand and strength available over-the-counter in some countries. In some it may require a prescription.
The TSA does NOT require that meds be in original bottle or have the
original label.
But US Customs does:
I was once hassled on my return to the US by customs when I was selected for a hand search. My nose spray didn't have it's pharmacy label on it, which led to a more thorough search of my belongings and a chewing out . Always best to be in compliance.
You can also ask the pharmacist for a smaller bottle that would only hold your travel pills. Some of the bottles they give out with the prescriptions are really big.
UK Customs 'recommends' medicine to be in its original containers.
My pharmacist prints an extra label for me, and I keep that in the bag with the meds (I take a 90-day supply, summer trips). I have never been asked about it, or had to show the label, but you never know.
I scanned the prescription labels and store them in Dropbox on my mobile devices.
thanks, everyone, for your help!
I think I will ask my pharmacist if there's anything they usually do for travelers.
My mother has a lot of prescription medication. She carried them all in her original bottles. She was stopped at customs. They were very sweet to her but they went through all her medications and asked her questions.
On our last trip, who also has several medication, got the pharmacy or doctor to re-issue her medication in the exact quantities that would get her through her trip. Her regular bottles are big. This way she had small bottles with legal labels.
Also, note that liquid meds (3 oz or of more than 3 oz) should *NOT be placed in your 3-1-1 bag, but should be in their own baggie, in original bottle.
This is also true for contact lens solution- medicinal use and all.
One other thing I'd do for common drugs you use is to do quick online search and see if it's over the counter or prescription in your primary destination. Paracetamol (aka Tylenol) with codeine is OTC in the UK but, IIRC, requires prescription in the States. Other drugs may also be OTC here but prescription-only over there.
