Over the Counter med and prescription medicine in carryon in ziplock bag?

[Alice777]

I don't know if this is the right thread but since it sort of links to transportation via flight...

Does over the counter medicines and prescription have to be in their original box/bottles when carrying on flight?

I put "emergency" over the counter medicines such as advil cold medicine, tylenol, etc. in tiny zip lock bags to save space and also I put my daily prescription in tiny zip lock bag with each date marked so I won't forget.

Can take them in my purse on my flight in clear plastic bags?

Thank you

 

[supersnoop]

I don't know if this is the right thread but since it sort of links to transportation via flight...

Does over the counter medicines and prescription have to be in their original box/bottles when carrying on flight?

I put "emergency" over the counter medicines such as advil cold medicine, tylenol, etc. in tiny zip lock bags to save space and also I put my daily prescription in tiny zip lock bag with each date marked so I won't forget.

Can take them in my purse on my flight in clear plastic bags?

Thank you

Only liquids have to go in the clear plastic bag. Put the OTC medicine in your purse. Prescriptions should always be in their original containers. You don't want to get arrested for smuggling a controlled substance.

 

[rwdavis2]

Prescriptions are not required to be in original bottles. But, if I had a prescription for a controlled substance then I would take the original bottle. I always put my daily meds in a pill wallet and keep it zipped up in my backpack. Been doing this for years and never had a problem. The TSA does not care about meds unless it's a liquid. And then they are allowed anyway but as the PP said, put the liquids in a plastic bag.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Prescription meds do not have to be in original containers.

 

[minnie mum]

Prescription meds do not have to be in original containers.

Not as far as TSA is concerned. Customs control is a whole different matter. So is medication safety.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Only liquids have to go in the clear plastic bag. Put the OTC medicine in your purse. Prescriptions should always be in their original containers. You don't want to get arrested for smuggling a controlled substance.

While TSA doesn't have the authority, if they have any concerns, they do have the responsibility to contact local police.
Also something else you should consider is every state's law varies regarding medicine and transporting them. Honestly, when traveling, it is really smartest to keep everything in original containers. Yes, a little more trouble, but much safer!!

 

[maxiesmom]

While TSA doesn't have the authority, if they have any concerns, they do have the responsibility to contact local police.
Also something else you should consider is every state's law varies regarding medicine and transporting them. Honestly, when traveling, it is really smartest to keep everything in original containers. Yes, a little more trouble, but much safer!!

I don't see how it is safer to have over the counter meds in their original bottles. I have a tiny little bag that I keep even tinier little bottles in, and that bag goes in my purse. I keep advil, naproxen, immodium, and loratadine in it. Never have been asked about it. And the pills are all very distinct, so no worry about getting confused as to what is what.

 

[Starwind]

Not as far as TSA is concerned. Customs control is a whole different matter. So is medication safety.

Also, some states have state law that requires Rx meds to be in properly labeled containers. The laws vary between states as to what exactly is required.

 

[Starwind]

Also, some states have state law that requires Rx meds to be in properly labeled containers. The laws vary between states as to what exactly is required.

Here is an article about Maine's law on the issue. Many other states have similar laws:
http://edfolsomlaw.com/2013/01/illegal-possession-of-your-own-prescription-drugs/

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Also, some states have state law that requires Rx meds to be in properly labeled containers. The laws vary between states as to what exactly is required.

This has nothing to do with the question about the TSA and prescription drugs through airport security.

 

[Woodview]

Are you taking Hold Suitcase with you & have it Check in for Flight. ?

If Yes then why not put your Medication in the case

Are you taking only a " Cabin Bag " .... Then have the medication ready for display.

Liquids .......... Have the Correct amount in a Zip Lock Bag.

Are you sure that you Need to Take All your Medication with you ..... as I am sure some of the

Medication can be bought in a local drug store near where you are staying

 

[stitchlovestink]

I don't see how it is safer to have over the counter meds in their original bottles. I have a tiny little bag that I keep even tinier little bottles in, and that bag goes in my purse. I keep advil, naproxen, immodium, and loratadine in it. Never have been asked about it. And the pills are all very distinct, so no worry about getting confused as to what is what.

I should have clarified that I was really addressing prescription meds rather than OTCs.

 

[goofy4tink]

I tend to keep my prescription meds in the original containers....that way I have plenty if I get stranded! I had one trip to WDW that I started off with the tail end of a nasty cold. I wasn't contagious, but man, I felt crappy!! My carry on bag looked like I had raided the closest CVS!! I must have had about 7 boxes of meds!! No one questioned them, they never came out of the bag for inspection.

 

[Gracie09]

Are you taking Hold Suitcase with you & have it Check in for Flight. ?

If Yes then why not put your Medication in the case

Are you taking only a " Cabin Bag " .... Then have the medication ready for display.

Liquids .......... Have the Correct amount in a Zip Lock Bag.

Are you sure that you Need to Take All your Medication with you ..... as I am sure some of the

Medication can be bought in a local drug store near where you are staying

You should never put needed medication in a checked bag. If it gets lost, you get delayed, the bag gets ruined etc etc you could be in trouble. Travel may cause you to need medication while on the plane. The cost of medication at Disney is high and they don't have a lot of variety. The time and cost it takes to get off site to get needed medication especially if you don't have a car can be high. I don't travel with much - allergy meds (kids and adult), advil (kid and adults), cold meds (kid and adults) but they stay with me. DH travels with several prescription medications. The only one to stay in its original container is a gel that has to be pumped out is measured doses. Everything else goes in his carry on. Never an issue. Never a question or second glance.

 

[Alice777]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I have 6 prescription medicines so it'll be too bulky to carry them all in the original bottles so I was planning to put each day medicines in tiny ziplocks. To be safe, I'll put my prescription medicines in my purse but will put over the counter medicines in our checked bags.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I have 6 prescription medicines so it'll be too bulky to carry them all in the original bottles so I was planning to put each day medicines in tiny ziplocks. To be safe, I'll put my prescription medicines in my purse but will put over the counter medicines in our checked bags.

Only 6? I carry probably 15 prescription bottles. It's not that big of a deal. I refuse to take any chances of having any issues. Each state's laws are different about how you are allowed to carry around prescription medications and *I* choose not to take any chances. I have been in vehicular accidents caused by other parties. It can happen anywhere any time. Just not worth it to me.
I hope you have a wonderful and safe trip.

 

[Mandi Bartz]

If the original bottles are too big, go to your pharmacy. My CVS will issue me the smallest bottle they have to fit what I need with a new label for travel.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well....lets see, what do I have in my carry on bag? B/P meds, anti-depressant, ibu, ibu-pm, allergy meds (non-decongestant and decongestant!!), saline nasal spray (yes, I have allergy issues!!!). And yes, I travel with original containers!! Then again, I have a fairly large carry on bag. I can actually pack for 3 days in it!!!

 

[Starwind]

Also, if you needed a separate extra small bag to carry ONLY your medications (and any other medically necessary items), that small bag does NOT count towards your carry-on allowance. I have enough medications and other medical items that I actually fill a small rolling carry-on bag with them. In canada and the USA it does not count towards my carry-on if it ONLY contains medical items (and yes, the airline can demand to check) (which means I have 3 carry-on items: normal small carryon roller; personal item tote; and the medical bag).

For OTC meds: ideally they should also be in carry-on NOT in checked bags. In addition to the potential for loss or delay due to checked baggage taking an unauthorized little adventure without you and the possibility of theft of medications from the bag, an often overlooked issue is the pressure and **temperature** changed that checked baggage undergo.

They can sit on tarmacks in the heat or the cold, they can bake and then freeze inside the cargo hold of an airplane, and they undergo significant pressure changes from ground to aloft and back. All of these can be a problem for medications, most of which will have at least a specified temperature range they are supposed to stay within. Too hot or too cold can harm some medications, and you may have no way of knowing it has been affected just by looking at it.

Thus, carry-on baggage is the best and preferred place for ANY medication, prescription or non-prescription.

SW

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I don't see how it is safer to have over the counter meds in their original bottles. I have a tiny little bag that I keep even tinier little bottles in, and that bag goes in my purse. I keep advil, naproxen, immodium, and loratadine in it. Never have been asked about it. And the pills are all very distinct, so no worry about getting confused as to what is what.

I don't think its a matter of safer, it more of a way to reduce any delays with questions, having pills in the original bottles. The less possible questions that come to mind of the government inspectors the better.


But to each their own!


AKK