Benadryl on flights

[Alysa]

Southwest says you can bring:
"Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is traveling, and prescription medicine with a name that matches the Customer’s name (along with insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines"

My daughter has an epi pen for her serious nut allergy but we also carry benadryl at all times by her allergist doctor's orders. Do you think this is essential other non perscription medicine? I called today and can't get in to get an appointment with her allergist to get him to write a perscription for her for this until December. I could take a bottle and offer to drink some...we leave in 25 days - any thoughts?

 

[eeyoregon]

If she can't swallow pills yet, is she old enough for the Benadryl Fast-Melt tablets that dissolve in the mouth?

 

[PollyannaMom]

We also flew Southwest, and took Benadryl in our carry-on, in a ziploc with other meds, and had no problems.

 

[Ariel8676]

I would probably see about the fast melt tablets..if not just call your doc and tel him that you just need a prescription..maybe he will write one out without seeing her, you would think they would understand..good luck

 

[laughinplace199]

If you need a prescription and you can't get an appt w/the allergist, could you just get an appt w/her ped and have the ped write the prescription? my DD's ped writes the Epi Pen prescription if we happen to see him before we see the allergist.

 

[alloyd1170]

Since it is a liquid and not a prescription then I dont think it will be allowed. If she cant take the fast melt pills, then the only other option would be to give her a dose before you check your luggage and stick it in there.

alison

 

[Schmeck]

You've got the epi-pen with a prescription on it, so they'd know your daughter has an allergy problem. Security takes each situation case by case - explain how the Benadryl needs to be taken, etc. Make sure you bring a new, unopened bottle. Take it out of its box before you go, but don't break the bottle seal!

 

[Dina]

We're in the exact same situation. My kids have peanut and other allergies, we have the epi-pens, but also always have Benedryl just in case. My 5yo does the fast melt tabs, so that's no problem, but my 3yo still does the liquid-- we have all this with us all the time, I feel like Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman when we leave the house (plus asthma inhaler). We have prescription for Zyrtec liquid, so I can take that, but that's not as good as Benedryl in an emergency (we only use the Zyrtec in the spring, I always stop by middle of June). So, I'm going to ask the doc to write a prescription for liquid benedryl (apparently this is normal, and done for kids who need to keep Benedryl in nurse's office in schools-- they will only give out prescription meds in schools). I'm actually trying to get in touch with the allergist now, but if I can't I'm going to just ask my pediatrician. If, for some reason, I can't do that-- I may just give him some benedryl (proactively) when we get to the airport-- I know that sounds horrible, but I know it won't hurt him-- our flight is only 2 hours, plus 2 hours at the airport-- that dose should last us through the flight just in case there's a problem. It will make him a little drousy, but other than that-- I know it won't hurt him. I also usually give sudafed before the flight to make sure their ears are clear (doctor's suggestion). I'm going to ask the doctor all this before we go.

 

[firkat]

Personally, with today's climate, I would not hassle with trying to get it on board without the prescription. If you have a regular allergist, I cannot imagine that you could not just stop in and get a prescription without an appointment. While the meltaway tabs are a great idea, I would worry about how 'fast-acting' they are. When my children had a recent food allergy problem, the doctor said give the liquid because it gets in the system so much faster than the pills . . . but I did not ask about the meltaway tabs.

 

[Evil Queen]

You can try calling your airport, not airline. But, the answer could change by the time you get to the airport.

I would ask before checking in your luggage. If they say no, be safe, give a dose and stick it in your check in. I know yesterday, when I flew out of Nashville, they weren't letting in any meds unless it's was a prescription and the name matched the boarding pass/ticket.

 

[3littleHalls]

I don't see why you can't just call your allergist or pediatrician and ask for a script to carry on. They should be able to do so easily without seeing your child. Also, we really like the fastmelts with our toddler.

 

[eeyoregon]

While the meltaway tabs are a great idea, I would worry about how 'fast-acting' they are.

The meltaway tabs should actually work as fast if not faster as they are being absorbed directly into the mucous membranes and into the blood stream similar to how nitroglycerin tablets are used under the tongue for the fastest absorbtion. The liquid has to travel through the intestines and into the stomach before being absorbed.

Plus they are lighter/easier to pack around than a clunky bottle

These new regulations are definitely going to make it interesting! I am an AVID hand lotion user after washing hands as I can NOT STAND dry skin. The thought of my 7 hours flight and several hand washes without being able to use lotion is a bit freaky for me !!

 

[liznboys]

We also carry liquid Benedryl everywhere we go (along with Epi-Pen and Inhaler). It says "essential other non-prescription medicines" which to me would include liquid Benedryl for an allergic person. ??

About the tablets vs. liquid thing. My ds's allergist also specifically said to use the liquid not the tablets. My good friends kids allergist says the same thing. It's certainly something to look into further (I'm going to do so myself).

 

[Allison]

We also flew Southwest, and took Benadryl in our carry-on, in a ziploc with other meds, and had no problems.

Was this since yesterday? Everything has changed in the last 24 hours.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

This is probably unneccessary but I used to work in a group home and we couldn't give anything without both a prescription and a pharmacist's label on the bottle. If you have a prescription for the Benedryl you can take it to the pharmacist and they will type up a label for the bottle with your child's name, birthdate and all the other standard info. If you did that and brought the medication sealed I would think it would be 100% that they'd let you on the plane with it.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

These new regulations are definitely going to make it interesting! I am an AVID hand lotion user after washing hands as I can NOT STAND dry skin. The thought of my 7 hours flight and several hand washes without being able to use lotion is a bit freaky for me !!

My guess is that if these regulations remain in place airlines are going to pretty quickly figure out solutions to problems like this. For example, they could sell little tubes of hand lotion and bottles of water on the plane. In fact, I'm guessing they will because it will lead to more profits.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Call your pediatrician or allergist. They can certainly give you a prescription for an antihistamine.

Have a great trip!

 

[3littleHalls]

These new regulations are definitely going to make it interesting! I am an AVID hand lotion user after washing hands as I can NOT STAND dry skin. The thought of my 7 hours flight and several hand washes without being able to use lotion is a bit freaky for me !!

Sorry for the OT, but YES...I am exactly like you!!! The thought of not having lotion in a carry on freaks me out!!! DH laughed at me b/c they would have to peel me off the ceiling over this one! Sorry, you can continue with the regular topic.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Sorry for the OT, but YES...I am exactly like you!!! The thought of not having lotion in a carry on freaks me out!!! DH laughed at me b/c they would have to peel me off the ceiling over this one! Sorry, you can continue with the regular topic.

The hardest part for me will be not taking antibacterial hand-gel!

 

[karenTX]

The hardest part for me will be not taking antibacterial hand-gel!

This is what's giving me the willies especially since DD is a preemie and our flight is very close to RSV season starting. I guess I can still bring on my Purell Wipes since they're not "Evil Gel" and sealed up.

I called American Airlines yesterday regarding DD's Benadryl. I was told that it falls under "essential non-prescription" and would be ok to bring onboard. Even more so when it was Children's Benadryl and we'll have her with me.

But does anyone know if snack food like crackers, cheerios, or even a sandwich is allowed?