Prescription Drugs in Original Containers on NWA

Ask your local pharmacy to package a smaller quantity of the meds in smaller bottles with a prescription label. I carry vitamins and other over the counter meds in a ziploc bag in my carryon and have never been questioned about it, but if it were to be confiscated I could just get more when I arrived. On my last trip I had antibiotics with me, and I was not asked about them, either. I'm sure that certain classes of drugs would be under more scrutiny, but most times they won't even notice what it is. Security is more concerned with dangerous items being carried onto the plane than with what meds you are taking.

I had a convesation about this( non offical )the agent said he wouldnt worry about some pills not in container I do print out or make a copy of prescription bottles or my list which is on line from Group health very convenient

We also carry a complete list of our prescription and OTC drugs, signed and dated by the prescribing physician. It came in handy going through Seattle passport control once when someone with the same first and last names as my husband had been flagged. We carry all drugs in original bottles--I even purchase small bottles of our vitamin pills. I request from the pharmacist additional small empty prescription bottles that will be the right size for the amount I need. I also take my weekly pill planner filled and have never been asked. All medications should be in a separate ziploc bag to go through security. This could even be a gallon bag if need be. This medications bag is not the same one as the liquids ziploc bag.

I combine my meds into a few larger prescription bottles (not recommended) to save a bit of space and I place them in a Ziplock bag. These prescripton bottles have real labels on them with my name on them. When I go through the line, I put the Ziplock bag out with the Ziplock with my liquids. I also have a copy of my prescriptons with me. I have never been challenged.

Also, if there are any plans to ride any of the EU budget airlines, they have a super strict policy of one carry on. With a separate bag for meds, you may have to choose.

Thanks for all of the input. It sounds like they can go ahead and use the small container and just bring a copy of their prescription reciepts (which are small) with them. That will allow them to travel with one carryon each, which is what they were hoping to do. THANKS AGAIN!

I'm going for two weeks and plan to put my daily meds in two of the 7 day pill containers, one in each front pants pocket. Three of the pills are prescription and two are vitamins.

I'm doing that to save space and for my own convenience as I already use the pill containers to remind me to take my meds. In my own case my meds aren't critical, so I'm not concerned about getting replacements should I lose them.

There's a sub-class of prescription medications that are legally classified (in the US) as controlled substances, for example, ambien, a prescription sleep-aid used by some long-haul travelers to get a good night sleep the first couple of nights in Europe. These are legally in a different category from other prescription medications, apparently because, although perfectly legal when prescribed for you, these substances have some potential for causing addiction or dependency.Anyway, my point was, I'm under the impression that it's not a bad idea, if possible, to keep medications that are controlled substances in their original container with the label on it (these original containers are usually small, right?) proving it was prescribed for you. If the container is small, why not leave controlled substances in their original container? Probably will never be a problem--but in theory, if for some reason your things were being looked at by US TSA upon leaving or re-entering the US, why not avoid a situation where you have a controlled substance in some non-original container and no way, except your say-so, to prove that you legally possess it.

None of the prescriptions we are taking would fit into the "controlled substance" category. Things like synthroid, celebrex, crestor for cholesterol, flomax, and alot of different vitamins.

What about taking two sets of prescription meds that you will need for the trip, one set with carry on and another backup set packed away in checked luggage. Is this ok? Thanks!

George, please keep in mind that you might never see your checked baggage again. I've never lost a bag but if I do need to check--and I often do--I never put anything of value in it. Money, camera, jewelry (which I never take anyway)and any medication goes with me in my carry on.

I put all my pills into the weekly divided plastic box, but also take the original containers for the Rx meds, which are small. I put all my vitamins and suppliments into one bottle because they are easy to tell apart. I have never been questioned about any of my meds except the one time I took a powdered supplement in it's original bottle, which could have easily been a liquid, so it's understandable why they looked at it. I would NEVER put meds in my checked bag! Anything of value or not replaceable goes in my carry-on!

I save pill bottles that are empty-one for each pill. When I go to Europe, I place the number I will need in each container and put them in my carry on. Then, before I leave Europe, I just throw the empty bottles away and have more room to bring back treasures. Everywhere recommends strongly that scrips must be in pharmacy labeled containers.

I am diabetic and on an insulin pump. My first trip, I was really concerned, as the supplies I need are not labeled. I called the supplier and asked for labels, but they do not provide them. I take insulin in labeled containers, and the supplies unlabeled and have never had a problem. The TSA website actual states that diabetic supplies, liquids in particular, are subject to different rules.