Flying with medication?

[patticake3]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but thought someone here might know the answer. We are flying to Orlando at the end of Feb. for a Disney/Universal vacation (my son's Make a Wish trip). He's a heart transplant recipient and takes a lot of medication. We haven't flown in a long time so I'm not sure if there are airport restrictions for medications. We normally pre-sort it into medication boxes for every day of the week. Does anyone know if we have to have original bottles and if we have to have all his meds in a plastic bag for security? Our doctor did give us a letter listing his need for meds and the med list (she told us we might need it). If anyone has experience traveling with medication, please share anything you think we should know. Thanks in advance!
-Patti

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have never kept any non-liquid medications in their original containers when flying but have always put them into daily pill containers. I do carry, in my wallet, a list of all the medications I take, including doses and have never been challanged. (And last year I had seven round-trip flights.)

 

[Selket]

If you have lots of meds that are liquids, gels or creams, etc. that are over the 3 oz. limit for the baggie don't bother doing the baggie thing. I put all of my son's meds in one carry-on suitcase - and that is ALL that is in the suitcase (his medical supplies are in it too - syringes, etc.). When you get up to the security screener then you "declare" the item - I tell them that this bag has diabetic medical supplies in it that are over the 3oz limit. The bag goes through the xray machine with everything else. Sometimes they will hand inspect it on the other side.

I put my cosmetics and other 3oz or less things in the baggie in a different suitcase. I think it has helped us get through screening to put all the medical items in one case and that is the only thing that is technically "over the limit" - but allowed if medical supplies.

If the medical supplies are pills (not liquid, cream, gel, etc) then they really are just like any other item to the screener I think. It is always good to have a copy of the script label if you can but we have also traveled without a script label for everything.

 

[SueM in MN]

Not much to add to what was already written.
Here's a link to the TSA website page that gives the official documentation for what the other posters wrote.

 

[patticake3]

Thanks for the replies! All his meds are pills, so sounds like it will be a breeze. One less thing to worry about!

 

[mickey&minniealways]

I always go to the pharmacy before our trips get smaller bottles than what would be used for the full prescription and have them put the scrip on the label. Putting them in all in the same bag with a list of what is in there and why. This way there is no questions about it. I would rather be safe than sorry. Do not check them with the rest of your luggage! Bring them in a carry on. Luggage can be replaced if it gets lost or delayed. Meds are not so easy. Also if something really should be refridgerated you can give it to the flight attendant. They will make not of your seat numbers and make sure you get it back before you depart the plane. My son is on meds for his siezure diorder, ADD, OCD, asthma, reflux and allergies so we bring alot.

 

[LauraVV]

We haven't flown in a long time so I'm not sure if there are airport restrictions for medications. We normally pre-sort it into medication boxes for every day of the week. Does anyone know if we have to have original bottles and if we have to have all his meds in a plastic bag for security?
-Patti

We just went at the end of Jan/beginning of Feb. We all take a whole bunch of meds. We put them in a pill dispenser. Some things to remember: put all medical supplies in a carry on and declare the contents to TSA. We keep liquids in original containers. One was in a child's lunchbox with ice as it needs to be refrigerated. They can't count this bag as one of your allowed carry on/personal bags. We take all expensive medical equipment on as carry ons. Medical equipment and supplies should be packed separately and can't count as your baggage allowance. Liquid medicines don't have the same total amount restrictions as non medical liquids. Keep any KY in with your medical supplies.

Just be sure to declare the contents to TSA.

 

[henrylovespooh]

If you only have pills, just put them in your carry-on and you'll be fine. Liquids are the only thing that need to be declared. I work at TSA - let me know if you have any other questions.