First aid kit? Medicine?

[bellkim]

To bring a first air kit onboard the ship - do all the items have to be new and sealed? Like anti-biotic ointment or ibuprofen. Can you bring the ones you have at home (opened and used) or do you have to buy all new items? Cough syrup, etc? I know all snacks have to be factory sealed. But medicine, too?? Thanks!

 

[Chirple]

No, they don't. I bring previously opened OTC meds on every cruise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

To bring a first air kit onboard the ship - do all the items have to be new and sealed? Like anti-biotic ointment or ibuprofen. Can you bring the ones you have at home (opened and used) or do you have to buy all new items? Cough syrup, etc? I know all snacks have to be factory sealed. But medicine, too?? Thanks!

Your personal first aid kit you can bring the items opened or unopened.

 

[clten]

No, medicines do not need to be sealed and new. We have our set kit that has traveled with us over and over. We use what we need and bring it back the next time. Items are only replaced when they are used up or expired.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Just make sure if you are flying to comply with the TSA liquid rules. So if you are bringing cough syrup, for instance it better be in your checked bags on the plane. Once you get off the plane, you can put it in whichever bag you like.

 

[bellkim]

No, they don't. I bring previously opened OTC meds on every cruise.

Thank you so much!

 

[bellkim]

Just make sure if you are flying to comply with the TSA liquid rules. So if you are bringing cough syrup, for instance it better be in your checked bags on the plane. Once you get off the plane, you can put it in whichever bag you like.

Thank you so much!

 

[bellkim]

No, they don't. I bring previously opened OTC meds on every cruise.

Thanks!!!

 

[bellkim]

Your personal first aid kit you can bring the items opened or unopened.

thanks!!

 

[MrsSmalls]

Not that you asked, but I am going to throw in an idea. I went to Joann's and got one of those divided organizers that looks like a larger size pill organizer. I am filling it with adult Advil tabs, chewable Advil tabs, chewable Pepto Bislmol, melatonin and other assorted pills. I taped the dosing to the top of each lid. That way it's all in one container. The one I got is big enough to fit those single serving ointments. It's like this:

 

[FigmentSpark]

Not that you asked, but I am going to throw in an idea. I went to Joann's and got one of those divided organizers that looks like a larger size pill organizer. I am filling it with adult Advil tabs, chewable Advil tabs, chewable Pepto Bislmol, melatonin and other assorted pills. I taped the dosing to the top of each lid. That way it's all in one container. The one I got is big enough to fit those single serving ointments. It's like this:

Great idea, as long as customs isn't involved. I wouldn't want to assume whatever I was taking across the border would draw interest because it wasn't in it's original bottle. Also, things that are OTC in one country may not be in another. And prescriptions should be in a bottle with the original scrip and instructions in case there are any questions.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Not that you asked, but I am going to throw in an idea. I went to Joann's and got one of those divided organizers that looks like a larger size pill organizer. I am filling it with adult Advil tabs, chewable Advil tabs, chewable Pepto Bislmol, melatonin and other assorted pills. I taped the dosing to the top of each lid. That way it's all in one container. The one I got is big enough to fit those single serving ointments. It's like this:

According to TSA guidelines, you aren't actually supposed to do that. All medication has to be in its original container and labeled. It can be opened and used but needs to be in its original container.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

According to TSA guidelines, you aren't actually supposed to do that. All medication has to be in its original container and labeled. It can be opened and used but needs to be in its original container.

Is that for carry on bags only, or also for checked luggage? Just curious.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Is that for carry on bags only, or also for checked luggage? Just curious.

Actually, I was referring to carry ons, since you don't ever want to pack your medications in checked luggage (in case it is lost) but there's always the possibility that customs or whichever other party may perform a random check with checked luggage (it def happens) and you surely wouldn't want to get flagged for a bunch of misc pills in your checked luggage!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Actually, I was referring to carry ons, since you don't ever want to pack your medications in checked luggage (in case it is lost) but there's always the possibility that customs or whichever other party may perform a random check with checked luggage (it def happens) and you surely wouldn't want to get flagged for a bunch of misc pills in your checked luggage!

Oh good, I always put my 1st aid, Over the Counter Meds in my checked bag. Haven't had any issues with it. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't breaking any TSA rules. They aren't prescription, so worst case scenario, I'd just have to pay ship prices to replace them if they were lost and I actually needed them. Most of them go back and forth unused. Downside of being a former BoyScout. (Prepared more than I usually need to be.)

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Oh good, I always put my 1st aid, Over the Counter Meds in my checked bag. Haven't had any issues with it. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't breaking any TSA rules. They aren't prescription, so worst case scenario, I'd just have to pay ship prices to replace them if they were lost and I actually needed them. Most of them go back and forth unused. Downside of being a former BoyScout. (Prepared more than I usually need to be.)

If you could see the traveling pharmacy i take with us (5 of us), it'd make you feel better. Lol. Also, pro tip: any medications don't have to count as part of your carryon luggage for the airlines we fly. We take all medications, OTC or Rx, including band aids and sunscreen, and pack it in a separate hand held cooler bag for TSA screening. Really frees up space in our "2 carryons per passenger" regulations, esp the one time we were attempting "carryon luggage only /no checked bags" trip.

 

[MaleficentRN]

According to TSA guidelines, you aren't actually supposed to do that. All medication has to be in its original container and labeled. It can be opened and used but needs to be in its original container.

That is not true. From the TSA Blog:

• TSA does not require passengers to have medications in prescription bottles, but states have individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription medication with which passengers need to comply.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

That is not true. From the TSA Blog:

• TSA does not require passengers to have medications in prescription bottles, but states have individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription medication with which passengers need to comply.

If not TSA, then must be the airlines we fly and airports we fly through/foreign countries. I've read it for so many years now, I'm certainly not about to risk not doing so. Everyone should do what their own comfort level dictates.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I've never had a problem traveling domestically with meds (OTC and prescription) in a pill organizer, but I would never go through customs with any meds not in their original containers. But none of our meds are controlled substances. Any controlled substances MUST be in their prescription bottles.

But in reference to the OP's question, open medicine containers are fine. The "must be factory sealed" rules apply only to food.

 

[Dug720]

If you could see the traveling pharmacy i take with us (5 of us), it'd make you feel better. Lol. Also, pro tip: any medications don't have to count as part of your carryon luggage for the airlines we fly. We take all medications, OTC or Rx, including band aids and sunscreen, and pack it in a separate hand held cooler bag for TSA screening. Really frees up space in our "2 carryons per passenger" regulations, esp the one time we were attempting "carryon luggage only /no checked bags" trip.

Does this apply to OTC cough medicine (or scrip if it comes to that)? I'm hoping this cough leaves STAT, but just in case (no fever, not contagious...just annoying).