Neurontin and new flight restrictions

[Tiggerific711]

Hi everyone. We're flying next month with my DS6 who is on Neurontin for a seizure disorder. He's on 2 1/2 tsp 2x daily so I figured that we'll need at least 10 oz of Neurontin for the 10 days we'll be in WDW. (Does that sound right?) Since Neurontin must be kept cold I can't put any in our checked luggage and must carry it all on the plane. I'm worried since the new flight regulations state that you can only carry on only 5 oz of liquid medicine. Will we have a problem with this? Would getting a letter from his doctor help?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on what type of insulated bag would be better to keep the bottles cold?

Thanks!

 

[vhoffman]

I have similar concerns about a drug that is injectable, part liquid, and must be kept cold. The amount is small, so I don't think it would be over 4 oz, but its the cold gel packs that worry me. I might have a hard time getting the gel packs onboard. I was considering shipping it FedEx overnight with freezer packs. You might want to consider that. The TSA website doesn't address gel freezer packs, so its probably up to the screener's discretion. The 4 ounce limit assumes its just to take while enroute, the rest can be packed, but some medicines can't be packed in check on baggage due to temperature requirements, etc. What if a person were traveling for an extended period with temperature sensitive drugs? This is a new requirement of the TSA, until they've had more experience with it I'd get around it by shipping my meds overnight.

 

[sadeeyore]

Hi,
I know it might be different for me from the UK, but we took medicine for my son it was an 8oz bottle and we had a letter from our doctor to say what the medicine was and who it was for.
The letter was checked in the UK by the airline and by security, we had no problems with it, but they did say the letter was needed. Flight from Sanford home on Friday evening they also checked the letter. I don't think either UK or Florida airports would have let us on the plane with the medicine as carry on without the letter to support the prescribed medicine.
For the UK we can only carry on prescribed liquid medicine of I think it's 4oz unless you have a letter to confirm who the medicine is for etc.
Hope everything works out for you and you have a great time

 

[emerymt]

I would not take a chance with gel packs on the plane. You could wind up not able to keep the medicine cold, or just with hassle you don't need. The hassle factor is important to me. I agree sending it ahead by FedEx is a great idea, wish I had thought of that! Go down to your pharmacy and see if they have any advice on packing it- they may even have free containers for you to use. After all, medication must come to them through the mail.

I have put my medication in checked luggage with gel packs in an insulated lunch bag and it has gotten through just fine- though one time it wasn't really cold (Montana to London, to be expected). My doctor said don't worry about it- I happen to be a doctor, too, so I figured that was the case. I don't know anything about Neurontin, though! It made it to Hawaii & Florida several times and was nice & chilly. I do worry about losing my medication (it is VERY expensive). Since I would be out of network, my plan would not pay for me to obtain the drug at my destination but would send it to me by next day air . That works because I only take it once a week. I used to check most of my meds and take just a few doses on the plane, but now you must have the Rx on the bottle, so I have to carry three of five.

So- see if it really has to be refrigerated at all times, send in your bags or by mail, and see if you could get it in Florida, just in case.

 

[Tiggerific711]

Thanks for all the replies. I spoke to the pharmacist already and she said that if the medicine isn't kept cold I have to throw it out. I plan on keeping it cold using ice in ziploc bags: dump the ice and water before security and get more ice on the plane. (I read about doing this a few weeks ago on one of the threads). I'm nervous about shipping the medicine in case something happens (he's been seizure free for almost a year, I don't want anything to mess that up). I just checked the prices online and found out that Neurontin is very expensive so I won't be getting it out of network. I'll have to get a letter from DS's neurologist and hope for the best.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[mrs.elliott]

Maybe you could have a prescription faxed to a pharmacy near WDW and you could take a cab and pick it up or have them deliver it. I know it's more hectic than bringing it yourself, but it might be well worth it. As for being out of network check with you insurance carrier, especially if it's private because generally prescriptions aren't considered 'out of network' or 'in network.'

Another suggestion is call the airline or TSA and pose the question to them. I am sure they would be more than willing to help you out.

Good luck to you and your son.

 

[ducklite]

You could also get more ice at most any restaurant or fast food place after security until just before you get on the plane if it's going to be awhile between the two.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Oh--another idea--check with your pharmacy--they receive their meds in these styrfoam packing things that accomodate a SOLID ice pack. Perhaps they would be willing to give you one?

Anne

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Is there anyway you could fill a prescription at a pharmacy such as walgreens in Florida since it is a national chain? That might be better than worring about TSA at the airport.

 

[arminnie]

Is there anyway you could fill a prescription at a pharmacy such as walgreens in Florida since it is a national chain? That might be better than worring about TSA at the airport.

That's what I would do. I checked everything, and Delta lost my suitcase so my doctor just called my prescriptions (6) in to Walgreen's, and I picked it up at the one by the outlet mall and Publix. ( OT - How do you lose a suitcase checked in over an hour early at an airport with only 12 gates and a less than two hour non-stop flight?)

On a driving trip a couple of months ago, I FORGOT my meds, and my doctor called in the prescriptions to the nearest Walgreens in New Orleans. I would make arrangements ahead of time. I had no problem even with my emergency refills, so doing it in a planned manner should be even easier.

I had to pay for my pills since my prescriptions had already been filled, and this was before renewal time. If you do it ahead of time, and work with your prescription provider you should even be able to work around that problem. I had a prescription that was going to expire while I was out of town and was able to get my provider to cover it early. Knowing what I know now I would just have had it filled out of town.

I think the only prescriptions that you might have a problem with are certain narcotics that are very tightly controlled. I don't take any of those, but friends with chronic pain problems do.

 

[Tiggerific711]

Thanks everyone for your help. I called the TSA contact center today and was told that as long as I have prescription bottles I'll be able to carry on the amount I need to. He also told me that I can bring on an ice pack since the medicine has to be kept cold. I'll get a note from neurologist just to be safe (since we're going anyway next week)

Thanks again everyone!

 

[KTink14]

Thats a good idea to get a letter anyway just incase since you're already going....wouldn't want you to have any problems getting through security at the airports.. 28 more days...woohoo!!