First aid kit? Medicine?

[Cackyschmackers]

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).

Absolutely, yes. I am photosensitive so I must use sunscreen, and I included that, too, plus OTC supplements, allergy meds, and sinus meds (all liquid and OTC and in less than the 4oz containers). Also included nonliquid items such as band aids, neosporin, capsules that need a cold pack, and powdered supplements as well. All in a small cooler pack with disposable ice pack, which freed up so much space in my carryons. This falls under medical supplies with whatever airlines we use and doesn't count towards your 2 carryons. I have heard this may not be the case for overseas flights, however.

 

[Dug720]

Absolutely, yes. I am photosensitive so I must use sunscreen, and I included that, too, plus OTC supplements, allergy meds, and sinus meds (all liquid and OTC and in less than the 4oz containers). Also included nonliquid items such as band aids, neosporin, capsules that need a cold pack, and powdered supplements as well. All in a small cooler pack with disposable ice pack, which freed up so much space in my carryons. This falls under medical supplies with whatever airlines we use and don't count towards your 2 carryons. I have heard this may not be the case for overseas flights, however.

Thanks. I'd just be flying domestic.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Thanks. I'd just be flying domestic.

P.S. I forgot to mention that I also include all contact lens solutions in this bag plus extra contacts. We did fly to the Dominican Republic twice on a U.S. carrier using this separate medical bag idea. So I'm thinking it was a foreign carrier originating not from the US where this situation might not work.

 

[Starwind]

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.

OTC medications, as with Rx medications, are not subject to the 3-1-1 liquid rules. Cough syrup is allowed in carry-on baggage, just declare it to the security screener ("I have medical liquids") before sending it through the xray.

SW

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

OTC medications, as with Rx medications, are not subject to the 3-1-1 liquid rules. Cough syrup is allowed in carry-on baggage, just declare it to the security screener ("I have medical liquids") before sending it through the xray.

SW

This is a good exception to know! Thanks. I learned something new today!

 

[AllSam]

You can bring a new, unopened bottle of liquid medicine for personal use through TSA. My son is on Allegra year round and he hates the tablets so we take a bottle with us but we have to toss any left overs at the end of the trip. I can't remember if personal consumption is defined we only bring one small bottle - I assume like 10 large bottles would not be OK.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

You can bring a new, unopened bottle of liquid medicine for personal use through TSA. My son is on Allegra year round and he hates the tablets so we take a bottle with us but we have to toss any left overs at the end of the trip. I can't remember if personal consumption is defined we only bring one small bottle - I assume like 10 large bottles would not be OK.

Are you sure you have to toss it? We have brought open bottles in the original boxes and containers (already opened with some gone) through TSA screening, but it is children's medicine so it is an exception. Or could you put it in your checked luggage on the trip home? Maybe you do not want to do that though.

 

[AllSam]

I am a road warrior at work so I am pretty militant about carry on only - you could always try the worse they can do is throw it away. I also have TSA precheck and I do think you get away with a little more in the way of liquids in those lines.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for the cough medicine info everyone! Thankfully it doesn't look like it will be necessary. After a coughing fit during dinner yesterday evening, I took myself to CityMD (urgent care) to get checked just in case (I had felt like I might have sucked some salsa down the wrong way the other night). The doctor did a thorough exam and reassured me that had I aspirated anything on Friday, by Wednesday night if I hadn't coughed it up I WOULD have been running a fever and she WOULD have heard something going on in my lungs. No fever. No wheezing. Lungs sounded completely clear. Because I have "reactive airway" (translation: asthma that pretty much only acts up if I have something like a really bad cold or allergies going on) she prescribed prednisone and started me on a dose last night - those pills will be done my first night in Miami. Slept all the way through the night. She also prescribed a "just in case" Z-pack that I can take with me JUST IN CASE things turn south. I'll likely grab some cough drops just in case, but not feeling a need to take liquid with me this time.

 

[Starwind]

You can bring a new, unopened bottle of liquid medicine for personal use through TSA. My son is on Allegra year round and he hates the tablets so we take a bottle with us but we have to toss any left overs at the end of the trip. I can't remember if personal consumption is defined we only bring one small bottle - I assume like 10 large bottles would not be OK.

As far as I am aware there is no TSA requirement that the medication be in an unopened bottle. They do not say anything in that regard on their website.

TSA page for info about medications: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures

CATSA page for info about medications: http://www.catsa.gc.ca/medication-and-medical-items

Customs of a given country may have additional requirements, as may states for Rx medications, and it is possible there are other federal rules about controled medications.

Duty-free liquid also have a specific set of additional rules.

 

[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.

This is copied right from from the TSA website guidelines :

"Medications
Medications in pill or other solid form must undergo security screening. It is recommended that medication be clearly labeled to facilitate the screening process. Check with state laws regarding prescription medication labels."

Not sure what methods they accept as "clearly labeled " so keeping it in the original packaging seems like the best bet.

 

[MaleficentRN]

This is copied right from from the TSA website guidelines :

"Medications
Medications in pill or other solid form must undergo security screening. It is recommended that medication be clearly labeled to facilitate the screening process. Check with state laws regarding prescription medication labels."

Not sure what methods they accept as "clearly labeled " so keeping it in the original packaging seems like the best bet.

This just means it will have to go through xray like everything else. TSA does not care about drugs. They are not the DEA or CBP. They do not have the training or the authority to inspect medications and determine if you should have them or not. They are only looking for things that may breech the security of an aircraft.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

This just means it will have to go through xray like everything else. TSA does not care about drugs. They are not the DEA or CBP. They do not have the training or the authority to inspect medications and determine if you should have them or not. They are only looking for things that may breech the security of an aircraft.

I was never inferring the TSA was screening for drugs. More on their policy,

" You must declare all medications to a TSA officer for screening, even if they are solid pills or inhalers. Before sending your bags through the X-ray machine, declare your medications to a TSA agent for screening. You can then send them through the X-ray or unpack the items for the TSA agent to do a visual screening."

And from our home airport we originate through :

• If carrying medications, be sure to keep them in their original packaging, and bring accompanying prescription cards.

Several times we've been pulled out of line and our carryons swiped for the mass spec analyzer they use for screening chemicals. All of those times i was glad everything was in its original container, we didn't need any more stress or delays. Everyone should make their own informed decision on these matters.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I was never inferring the TSA was screening for drugs. More on their policy,

" You must declare all medications to a TSA officer for screening, even if they are solid pills or inhalers. Before sending your bags through the X-ray machine, declare your medications to a TSA agent for screening. You can then send them through the X-ray or unpack the items for the TSA agent to do a visual screening."

And from our home airport we originate through :

• If carrying medications, be sure to keep them in their original packaging, and bring accompanying prescription cards.

Several times we've been pulled out of line and our carryons swiped for the mass spec analyzer they use for screening chemicals. All of those times i was glad everything was in its original container, we didn't need any more stress or delays. Everyone should make their own informed decision on these matters.

Nowhere on the TSA website does it say that you must declare and have screened, other than liquids, all medications. If that were the case the lines would go out the front of the airports. And I agree, do what you think is best.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Nowhere on the TSA website does it say that you must declare and have screened, other than liquids, all medications.

I beg to differ:

Medications

Medications in pill or other solid form must undergo security screening. It is recommended that medication be clearly labeled to facilitate the screening process. Check with state laws regarding prescription medication labels.

You are responsible for displaying, handling, and repacking the medication when screening is required. Medication can undergo a visual or X-ray screening and may be tested for traces of explosives.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures

 

[MaleficentRN]

I beg to differ:

Medications

Medications in pill or other solid form must undergo security screening. It is recommended that medication be clearly labeled to facilitate the screening process. Check with state laws regarding prescription medication labels.

You are responsible for displaying, handling, and repacking the medication when screening is required. Medication can undergo a visual or X-ray screening and may be tested for traces of explosives.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures

As I mentioned above, this is referring to putting it through the xray machine. You do not have to declare your pills and inhalers. They do not have to be visually inspected. TSA is not trained to know what pills should look like.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

As I mentioned above, this is referring to putting it through the xray machine. You do not have to declare your pills and inhalers. They do not have to be visually inspected. TSA is not trained to know what pills should look like.

I think you may be misunderstanding what "declare" means in this context. It doesn't mean declare as you would to a customs official. It means remove for scanning or if you don't /can't, it means to tell the TSA agents it is in your carryons as they go through the xray.