Can you fly with prescription pills just in a pill organizer?

[NotUrsula]

Please remember that TSA is not the DEA. They do not have any drug enforcement authority. As long as you are flying domestically you can take any pills you need with you in an organizer or a baggie or a twist of paper -- they don't care about quantities for personal use even if there are a lot of them.

The only way that it is likely that a supply of pills on a domestic flight would draw enough attention from TSA that they would be moved to call a LEO to come and speak with you would be if you had a really large quantity of several different unmarked types of pills, and by "really large quantity" I mean at least a few hundred of each. A gallon baggie containing 400 Viagra and 1000 Percocet just might get a second glance, but not the usual variety needed by the average middle age person for a two-week stay.

Cruises can be a different animal, because you are dealing with DEA at the entry port and often are visiting ports in countries that are common origins for drug smuggling.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I would just go to your pharacy and ask them to print you out a label list to carry with you. I really don't think you will have a problem with domestic travel though. I have flown a ton and never had the slightest problem with anything other than liquids and gels. Even then, I have only gotten more than a quick look once and a problem once (with a gel).

 

[aubriee]

Please remember that TSA is not the DEA. They do not have any drug enforcement authority. As long as you are flying domestically you can take any pills you need with you in an organizer or a baggie or a twist of paper -- they don't care about quantities for personal use even if there are a lot of them.

The only way that it is likely that a supply of pills on a domestic flight would draw enough attention from TSA that they would be moved to call a LEO to come and speak with you would be if you had a really large quantity of several different unmarked types of pills, and by "really large quantity" I mean at least a few hundred of each. A gallon baggie containing 400 Viagra and 1000 Percocet just might get a second glance, but not the usual variety needed by the average middle age person for a two-week stay.

I agree! We always take our meds in those weekly organizers and have never even been questioned. I also take a Victoza pen and needles for my diabetes that are not labeled. My mom takes four bottles of insulin (two Lantus and two Humalog) that are not labeled because they are taken out of their boxes so they can be put in a little diabetic insulated thingy she has that has elastic straps that hold them in place, plus her syringes, lancets, glucometer and etc. Neither of us have ever been questioned about those either. I have a friend whose brother is a TSA agent. When questioned his exact words were that they were not DEA and couldn't care less what meds you take and meds don't need to be in original containers even according to the TSA website.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have a friend whose brother is a TSA agent. When questioned his exact words were that they were not DEA and couldn't care less what meds you take and meds don't need to be in original containers even according to the TSA website.

+1

Exactly right, but if someone wants to spend time unnecessarily worrying or preparing for events which aren't going to happen, that's their right.

 

[puffkin]

My DH is type 1 diabetic, on an insulin pump (pod system), takes tons of pill meds and has vials of insulin, extra pods and needles and we have never once gotten a second glance. None of it is in original boxes/containers. We just shove it all in a gallon ziploc and it goes through security in his laptop bag. We fly quite a bit domestically.

 

[Mom2Luci]

The only things I have ever been questioned about is DD's inhalers and her nebulizer meds. I'm guessing the only reason I got questioned about the neb stuff was because I didn't have her nebulizer with us. I borrowed one from a friend at the other end of our trip.

We just went to WDW in October and had DH's meds in an organizer in his carryon. We didn't even get a 2nd look from anyone.

 

[js515]

While per TSA rules it may be fine, it is illegal in many states to carry prescription pills in a pill organizer and not in their original bottles. While most people do it, technically a police officer in any of those states discovers it on you for any reason, such as in your vehicle, even if you have a note, or copy of prescription outside the correctly labeled bottle note prescription labels indicates color and shape of pill ) they can charge you with a felony or misdeameanor. It is not worth the hassle. I've researched this. In my state, Georgia, it is illegal. Now, I agree, having a police officer search you or discover them is unlikely but is it worth the chance ? Even if a judge dismisses it when you provide the valid prescription, think of the hassle and legal fees.

So with respect to this topic, this may is a rare case where local laws will usually be more strict than the TSA rules. it is more about what happens to you when carrying the pills in everyday life, to and from the airport, than what the TSA actually cares about.

 

[maxiesmom]

We fly quite a bit and have only had trouble with inhalers. We've been asked for the prescription box several times with them.

Really? I never have gave mine a second thought. They are tossed into my purse. Same as always.

 

[maxiesmom]

While per TSA rules it may be fine, it is illegal in many states to carry prescription pills in a pill organizer and not in their original bottles. While most people do it, technically a police officer in any of those states discovers it on you for any reason, such as in your vehicle, even if you have a note, or copy of prescription outside the correctly labeled bottle note prescription labels indicates color and shape of pill ) they can charge you with a felony or misdeameanor. It is not worth the hassle. I've researched this. In my state, Georgia, it is illegal. Now, I agree, having a police officer search you or discover them is unlikely but is it worth the chance ? Even if a judge dismisses it when you provide the valid prescription, think of the hassle and legal fees.

Well, first they would have to prove they are not just over the counter pills, correct?

 

[siskaren]

Zombie thread alert!

 

[looking4themouse2]

having worked in the substance use disorder field for awhile my rule of thumb would be if I had any medications that fall into the controlled substance category I would make sure to have those medications in their original bottles, otherwise you should be fine. Many states especially now with opiate overdose deaths seriously rising would question/remove or arrest you for not having those types of prescription in its original container with proof that it belongs to you.

 

[kdawg8762]

Until we moved back home to GA, i flew for about 45 weeks a year. With a stomach condition and bp issues, I took roughly 7-10 pills a day and had a bunch of "if this happens, take this pills." I never once had them in my original bottle, but I do realize you are supposed to. I generally had the scrip on my phone if questioned, but taking that many bottles would have lead me to putting them in my checked bag...and good lord..no.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

While per TSA rules it may be fine, it is illegal in many states to carry prescription pills in a pill organizer and not in their original bottles. While most people do it, technically a police officer in any of those states discovers it on you for any reason, such as in your vehicle, even if you have a note, or copy of prescription outside the correctly labeled bottle note prescription labels indicates color and shape of pill ) they can charge you with a felony or misdeameanor. It is not worth the hassle. I've researched this. In my state, Georgia, it is illegal. Now, I agree, having a police officer search you or discover them is unlikely but is it worth the chance ? Even if a judge dismisses it when you provide the valid prescription, think of the hassle and legal fees.

So with respect to this topic, this may is a rare case where local laws will usually be more strict than the TSA rules. it is more about what happens to you when carrying the pills in everyday life, to and from the airport, than what the TSA actually cares about.

This thread is FIVE years old; I think the issue has been resolved. What's the point in bumping ancient threads?