Flying with multiple medications

[Beccabunny]

OK, I know what to do with the liquids, injectables, and the ones that need to be kept cool. What do you do with multiple pill-type medications? Between the three of us, we're a walking pharmacy. Those little containers with the individual compartments for each day of the week are far too small, and I really don't want to have to carry all the individual bottles. When we're driving I put all the pills in little ziplock bags and label them by day and time of day. Can I do that when flying? The TSA site recommends, but doesn't require, having your prescription label. Am I going to get questioned if I have a bunch of little bags of pills in my carry-on? I just don't want any hassles going through security. Never worried before, as the last time we flew we had less than half the medications we now have.

 

[sjs314]

I am a walking pharmacy too, anyway when traveling I just take all my perscriptions in their original bottles inside a large zip loc bag placeing it into my carry on...I figure why invite a problem if TSA decides to look in my carryon. Once I get to my resort then I divide up my daily pills into the weekly pill case I use putting the original containers back in the zip loc and into the room safe for storage until I need to pack up and go home again.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

My good friend (adopted sister ) who travels with insulin makes sure to take a doctors note with her that stated what the prescriptions are she is carring. So no matter what she can carry all her injections on board without problems.

 

[M5ward]

My husband is also on many medications. We divide the pills by name and put them in the day of the week compartments (which we label by name.) Those day of the week containers come in different sizes. For the meds that require multiple pills per day, we simply use two compartments. My husband actually requires two containers, but it's less bulky than taking all the pill bottles. He always takes a few extra pills of each kind. We put this in a carry on..just in case!!

 

[PatsMom]

I also use a container but I think the ziploc bags would work just fine too. I used to carry the original prescription bottles but now I am up to two gallon ziplocs and it just seemed silly to carry that much stuff when I don't need it. I take a few extra of each pill just in case of a travel delay and end up with two containers but it works out for me. I've never been questioned about it.

My doctor does provide me with a printed list of my medications (including OTC supplements) on paper that is like prescription paper. It is easy for her to generate - something handled by their computerized medical records. I carry that with me in case anyone ever did question all the pills.

 

[pipersmom]

My daughter takes over 13 different "pill" meds daily, and we've never had a problem with security using the "weekly" pill boxes. You can find ones with larger containers if you look for them. My other idea would be to save empty bottles, soak the labels (or cover them) and use one for each day's meds. We've travelled both with and without a Dr's list of her meds, and never had any trouble. Honestly, I think the TSA agents have things they worry about a whole lot more than what meds someone is taking. If the baggies work best for you, I would go for it. If you have any hesitation, just get your Dr to give you a list, as a pp suggested. :

 

[NeurosurgeryNP]

I travel with pills as well as insulin and syringes, etc. While I carry a letter about the insulin and syringes, I have never been asked to produce it. Never been asked to open the items, bag, etc. I just tell them before my bag goes through the x-ray what is in there. I bring my solid meds in a weekly case.

 

[SueM in MN]

Post # 15 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has links to the TSA website's information about travel with medications.

One thing to think about - even though they don't require your medications to be labeled, in an emergency, it would be helpful for Emergency Personnel to know what the medications are. Medications can be looked up in books from appearance and the number/markings on the pills, but it would be faster to have the names on the medications.

 

[barkley]

there's something to consider other than the tsa-individual drug laws in different states. in some states it is illegal to have certain perscription drugs in anything other than the labled perscription bottle. i know it's a long shot that something might happen where a person would run into a legal issue with this but it can happen so in my mind it's better to be covered on all bases than not (and my pharmacist has had patients who have had tsa refuse to let them bring those pill a day containers on flights, so while it might not happen allot tsa does sometimes refuse to let those pass).

the pharmacy i use (national grocery store chain) will make up travel bottles for me when we fly-they estimate how many of a given pill i'll need for the duration of the trip (so they can go with the smallest possible container) and make up empty bottles with all the script info. on them.

 

[PatsMom]

Barkley, the people you know who had problems with the TSA and unlabelled medications must have been a while ago. I just went to doublecheck the requirements after reading your post and this is what I found on the TSA web site:

All medications in any form or type (for instance, pills, injectables, or homeopathic) and associated supplies (syringes, Sharps disposal container, pre-loaded syringes, jet injectors, pens, infusers, etc.) are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened. Atropens, an auto-injection system that can help treat many emergency conditions (low heart rate, breathing problems, and excess saliva related to insecticide, nerve gas or mushroom poisoning) are also allowed.

We do not require that your medications be labeled.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) migraine inhalers and CO2 refills.

Medications in daily dosage containers are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened.

Medication and related supplies are normally X-rayed. However, as a customer service, TSA now allows you the option of requesting a visual inspection of your medication and associated supplies.

You must request a visual inspection before the screening process begins; otherwise your medications and supplies will undergo X-ray inspection.
If you would like to take advantage of this option, please have your medication and associated supplies separated from your other property in a separate pouch/bag when you approach the Security Officer at the walk-through metal detector.
Request the visual inspection and hand your medication pouch/bag to the Security Officer.
In order to prevent contamination or damage to medication and associated supplies and/or fragile medical materials, you will be asked at the security checkpoint to display, handle, and repack your own medication and associated supplies during the visual inspection process.
Any medication and/or associated supplies that cannot be cleared visually must be submitted for X-ray screening. If you refuse, you will not be permitted to carry your medications and related supplies into the sterile area.

I don't know about state laws and prescription labeling. The type drug they are probably concerned with I don't take on a daily basis so it isn't in my pill containers. My narcotic type drugs are in the prescription bottles.

 

[JustMe3]

I just want to thank all of you who posted on this. I was wondering the same thing. My daughter and I both take several medications and I have not flown in six years. So many things have changed!

It looks like we will be going for weekly medication dispensers and not worry about traveling with all of the pill containers with the rx information.

 

[deerhart]

it also depends on the medications you are taking.

If you are taking ANY controlled substance or narcotic (pain meds) along, then you MUST transport them in a current and properly labeled prescription bottle. I would also include any anxiety/depression meds or any other meds that are routinely sold in the drug market (usually controlled substances, narcotic meds, and anxiety/depression meds cover the routine black market ones)

Otherwise, you run a risk of having to deal with the meds being confiscated and the possibility of a drug charge (even if you can produce a valid prescription) its NOT worth the hassle when you are vacation!

I just have never run the risk and just toss the whole thing in the bag. Thus we also avoid any issues if something happens to happen to one of the pills (dropped on the floor and lost, accidentally dropped in the toilet, my son spills his open capsule of focalin yeah!) because we have the remainder of the bottle with us.

I also make sure that we have plenty of prescription to cover our vacation and spare so no one is running out right at the end of vacation. Never know when a plane will get delayed or we get stuck somewhere and the vacation is unintentionally extended.

 

[deerhart]

I would also be very cautious of taking unlabeled meds not in the prescription bottle into Florida due to the high rate of drug trafficking in that state versus others