Prescription Medication

This question is frequently asked here. To save you from searching for prior answers: Pharmacists who answer this question frequently suggest that, for purposes of re-entering the US, you just might (technically) want to have prescription medications in the original containers (especially anything that is a "controlled substance", such as ambien). Note: pharmacists mention this re re-entering the US, not entering Europe. Non-pharmacists who answer this question usually say something like: "Well, we've never been questioned or had a problem with this." This being a public internet forum, it might be that we would tend not to hear from people who have had a problem with this kind of thing.

I usually take some hydrocodone along just in case of a wrenched back, sprained ankle on the cobblestones, etc plus my BP pills. I ask my doc to prescribe a 30 day supply of 2x/day for the hydrocodone in a separate bottle with all the details on the bottle, same for the BP meds, in their own little bottle from the pharmacy. I have had the bottles examined both going and coming with no problems. You just never know when a customs agent, like in Turkey or another country with draconian drug laws, will make an issue of your meds. I'd sure hate to get on the wrong side of a Turkish court over some back pain pills and do 15 years in a Turkish prison. Exaggerated? Maybe.... but I like to error on the safe side.

Could your pharmacy give you some smaller bottles with the prescription labels on them so they won't take up so much room? This fall is the first time I'm traveling with a prescription med, and I'm taking my 3 week supply in the smaller bottle it first came in when the doctor was seeing how the medication would work for me. That bottle is less than half the size of the ones my refills come in since it was for fewer pills.

Some pharmacies will put your meds into those blister packs with all the meds together (ex. day 1 morning meds in one "cell" , day 1 lunch meds in next 'cell', etc.) and put the lables on the top or bottom of the card. Or ask you pharmacy to print extra lables and put them on a ziploc bag- one bag per medication. Or take the information sheet the pharmacy gives you (it has same info - and more- as the lable). Or use a pill organizer and put all the lables on one sheet of paper. There is NOTHING sacred about those brown bottles!!! It is the INFORMATION that is important- more in case you have a medical emergency, need to refill (lost meds, trip extended, etc.). You should have the "real" name of the medication (ambien, etc.) and the generic name, and if no generic, a "chemical" name as names in other countries are not the same. Also have written down the condition for which you take the medication, dosage- how often and when (am, pm, as needed, etc.) and how much (size of pills (ex. 500 mg) and how many). I have a form I always carry with me. It gives a brief mecial history, my medications and it also includes my doctors' and pharmacy's phone numbers and emergency contact info. Private message me with you email if you would like a sample copy.

Lisa, everyone has given you some excellent advice. The problem is that TSA and Customs have a differnet set of rules; TSA says: "We do not require that your medications be labeled. "Medications in daily dosage containers are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened." http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm#4 Customs can really get you (generally, like Kent says, when you come back) if you are carrying addictive drugs:: "If you need medicines that contain potentially addictive drugs or narcotics. Carry such substances in their original containers;Carry a prescription or written statement" http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml#Medication For other drugs Customs suggests: "Any medications being carried overseas should (NOTE: "should", not "must") be left in their original containers and be clearly labeled. Travelers should check with the foreign embassy of the country they are visiting to make sure any required medications are not considered to be illegal narcotics." http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html#customs Generally I don't worry about it, and throw all of my pills together. But if I was going to take Oxycodin, etc, I would only take it in the original bottle, and have a copy of the perscription. Why take a chance.