Taking prescribed medication with me?

[stacy87]

Has anyone had any experience taking prescribed medication with you to the US?

I have some anti-sickness tablets prescribed by my GP, that I wanted to take with me in my checked in baggage, but I have never done this before, and not sure what the procedure is - any help/advice would be appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Saimaeve]

Take it in your carry on in the original bottle with the prescription info on the label.

 

[stacy87]

Take it in your carry on in the original bottle with the prescription info on the label.

Thank you!

 

[Kath2003]

Don't put it in your checked baggage, you never know if it will go missing! Anything you need to keep MUST go in your hand luggage.

 

[strawberry blonde]

I take mine in my hand luggage with a copy of my repeat precription.

 

[saintrob]

I take mine through in hand luggage in the original packet - never had any queries/problems.

 

[stacy87]

Thank you everyone for the replies! The tablets I have are in a small bottle with my prescription label on them, so will make sure I put them in my carry on luggage

 

[pampat]

I take mine in a dosset box, no original packaging, but with my full list of meds in case I need more. Never a problem. I take my lancets (blood testing in hold luggage.

Pam

 

[Nia20]

I have type 1 diabetes so I have to carry a lot of medication and needles (always in hand luggage!) because some of mine could be seen as 'suspicious', cartridges of clear liquid after all, i always get a note from my gp or specialist nurse to say i am prescribed this medication and i need to carry it. some gp's will charge for the letter, but in my case it could potentially save a lot of hassle.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have type 1 diabetes so I have to carry a lot of medication and needles (always in hand luggage!) because some of mine could be seen as 'suspicious', cartridges of clear liquid after all, i always get a note from my gp or specialist nurse to say i am prescribed this medication and i need to carry it. some gp's will charge for the letter, but in my case it could potentially save a lot of hassle.

The letter is not needed; no one in security in the US or UK will ask for this or even look at it. Medications are allowed in carry on bags and they see these meds many times a day.

 

[stacy87]

Thank you everyone for your replies! You're all so helpful

Just 6 sleeps to go now (and 2 days left to work after today), and with work driving me absolutely insane, it really cannot come soon enough!

 

[Nia20]

The letter is not needed; no one in security in the US or UK will ask for this or even look at it. Medications are allowed in carry on bags and they see these meds many times a day.

I have travelled all over the world inc us and the middle east and i have never needed to use the note, the only time i've been questioned was in NY and the security guy did know what my insulin pen was and it was in my jacket, so i had to get it out and show him. ever since i've been diagnosed i've been told to get a note so that's just what i've carried on doing

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have travelled all over the world inc us and the middle east and i have never needed to use the note, the only time i've been questioned was in NY and the security guy did know what my insulin pen was and it was in my jacket, so i had to get it out and show him. ever since i've been diagnosed i've been told to get a note so that's just what i've carried on doing

That TSA agent was misinformed. No note necessary.

 

[Nia20]

That TSA agent was misinformed. No note necessary.

well it was recommended by every diabetic professional i have seen and Diabetes UK. so maybe we have different guidelines here in the uk? its obviously not applicable to every medication, but i'll always follow the advice of my medical team even if i have never needed to use it

 

[Starwind]

The other issue with having medications in checked baggage (aside from the fact that checked baggage can be delayed or lost) is that checked baggage can go through extremes of temperature (heat, cold) that can affect medication in significant negative ways. Many medications have relatively narrow temperature ranges that they are supposed to be kept within -- the temperatures checked baggage can go through, wheher sitting on a tarmack or in the cargo hold of an airplane, often end up outside those ranges, sometimes for hours. And you would have no idea it had happened.

 

[edinburghlass]

I have to carry needles with a pen in a cool bag and ice packs for a daily injection and as long as my airline tell me to carry a letter from the medical provider then I will carry the letter

I haven't been asked to show it at security but leaving USA I was asked to roll up my sleeves, they really don't want to see where I actually administer the injection