medicine and airline security

[englishteacha]

Both my DH and I take prescription medicine daily and use those weekly pill boxes. Am I correct in thinking we should bring our meds in the original packaging and then put it in our pill boxes once we arrive? I don't want people thinking I'm sneaking in something illicit!

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, that is the best idea. I always bring my actual med bottle so they can check it out in case they have a question. Never been questioned but better safe than sorry!!

 

[justplaingoofy]

Absolutely! Bring original packages and carry them on with you.

You don't want to look like Karen Walker from Will & Grace the pill popper with her baggies of pills

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I've never once been questioned but I have been told by my friend at TSA that if you carry your meds with you (which is ALWAYS a good idea in case your luggage is lost) then you should have them in the original prescription containers.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

I fly twice a week and have never been questioned about the contents of my pill boxes. Never, ever, pack medicine in checked luggage - never. If you are the slightest bit concerned, then by all means carry your meds in the original containers.

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

Sorry this is off topic, but can you have safety pins/nail clippers in your checked luggage?

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I fly often and never have my pills in their original containers since I can save space in a weekly container. I have never been questioned. I guess it would be a good idea to carry it all in its original containers but that would just take up way too much space for me.

 

[BonnieA]

I never carry my original pill containers. It would take up too much room. I only carry my weekly pill organizer and have never had a problem. Maybe I've just been lucky

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

My DH has GWS and takes about 30 pills a day (no lie). I always put his humungous pill holder in my carry-on and have never had a problem. I take Ativan for anxiety, and since it is a controlled substance, I always carry it in the original bottle. Same for DS's ritalin.

When we flew to Boston, the guy in front of me put his shoes, jacket, carry-on, and a bottle of Corona into the bin to be x-rayed! So I didn't feel so bad with my walking pharmacy.

The one TSA guy asked another..."Can he bring this?" THe second one said, "Yeah.....I think so. It's not open."

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Sorry this is off topic, but can you have safety pins/nail clippers in your checked luggage?

Yes, you can have safety pins and nail clippers in your checked airline luggage. You can even have them in your carry-on bags.

In fact, you can bring a meat cleaver in your checked airline luggage.

For the full story, see this PDF file from the TSA.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to the Transportation Security Administration webpage about medications.
Here's a quote of the most important information:

Medications
All medications in any form or type (for instance, pills, injectables, or homeopathic) and associated supplies (syringes, Sharps disposal container, pre-loaded syringes and dispensing products, vials, box of individual vials, biojectors, CO² migraine inhalers, CO² refills, jet injectors, epipens, Atropens, infusers, etc.) are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened.
Medications should be labeled so they are identifiable.
Medications in daily dosage containers are allowed through the checkpoint once they been screened.
Medication and related supplies are normally x-rayed. However, as a customer service, TSA allows you the option of requesting a visual inspection of your medication and associated supplies.

We always carry our medications in the original pharmacy bottles - at least then they are marked. If your bottles are too large/bulky to carry easily, you could ask the pharmacist for a small bottle that will fit the number of pills (plus a few extras) you need for your trip.
If you do use a daily dose container, I don't know what they are exactly looking for as a label. If the box is really big, you might be able to get an extra prescription label for each medication to stick on the box.

 

[DebbieB]

I was told by TSA that the daily dose containers are fine for domestic travel. I've never had a problem. For domestic flights, they are just looking for security threats.

 

[keishashadow]

My problem is our insurance carrier requires us to use mail order & obtain a 3 month supply of all manintenance Rxs - resulting in very large bottles.

I asked pharmacist @ local drug store (where we're able to get 1st 3 months filled before we're booted off to mail order) if she could just label empty bottles w/the drug, dosage etc. & I'd provide my own meds. How weird is that????

She said she'd have to clear it w/corporate first! Still waiting for an answer.

She did say it was her understanding that "controlled" substances are the only meds that need to be either in original container or have a scrip on-hand for them to pass thru security.

Really hate to lug a bunch of over-size bottles with us again but, do need our meds - would hate to be faced w/a security hassle. Especially since DH & DS (with same 1st & last names) have always been subjected to extra security screenings.

 

[safetymom]

I travel almost weekly and have never been asked about my meds. I carry them in my luggage and carry ons.

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

We fly quite often and always carry our meds in those weekly pill containers and have never had a problem. A few times our bags have been opened and inspected but we've always been told ok, you can go now. Course, we're both in our 60's so maybe older couples carrying tons of medication for a trip is "normal"?

 

[NotUrsula]

TSA is *not* the DEA; they are not supposed to be spending their time looking for drug traffickers. If TSA saw someone carrying a really huge supply of recognizable street-valuable pills (like, say, several hundred Valium pills), they might alert airport police, but they wouldn't try to bust anyone for possession themselves, as they don't have authority to do that. The only thing they are likely to question are injectibles, as syringes could be used as weapons.

Even overseas, so long as you are not in the third world, you don't have to have the meds labelled in original bottles. When I travel in Europe I use a pill case that is in a sleeve, and I keep a second set of labels in the sleeve, just flat. The labels prove that my possession of the meds is legitimate.

 

[dbarker]

Thanks for all the info. I also have a 3 month supply of meds and I do not want to lug around that big bottle.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Big pharmacy here too. Have stomach, migraine, and asthma. And might not need um, but you never know. We also have the 3 month problem, too. With gaint bottles. Here is my fav. wdw tip: Keep your older bottle for the your 3 month supply refill, and only fill with the meds needed for your trip. Yes, you will have gaint bottles going but coming home you don't. I just magic mark out my info, and leave the empty bottles coming home. Then you have your "current" bottle at home when you get there. Of course, if your delayed coming home you will run out, or your prn's (as needed meds) will still be full.
2nd = (FYI) Put your meds in the safe!!! Have had certain migraine drugs taken out of "my hidden, make up bag in a suitcase, already. So we make room for anything interesting in the lockup.

Have a safe and great trip. mky