Prescriptions on planes

[firsttimer03]

I was just wondering what do you do with your pill prescriptions when flying? I have some sample packs that are great for travel that I am taking and have some bottle Rx's too .........do you have to put them in the clear plastic baggie or can you carry them in your purse?
Thanks!

 

[Plannergirl]

I put them all in the clear plastic bag, less hassel from security and the TSA folks at MCO are a royal PIT you know where compaired to other places I have flown

 

[OKW Lover]

The clear plastic bag thing is just for fluids or gells. If you have pills there is no need to put them in the plastic bag.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Both of my daughters are on liquid prescription meds. The meds are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule, but I always put them in a separate ziploc and declare them. This link explains it better: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm

Also, make sure everything is in its regularly labeled prescription bottle.

 

[NotUrsula]

Unless you're carrying enough pills to be mistaken for a drug dealer (we're talking hundreds here), on a domestic flight you don't have to do anything at all with them. The TSA's mission has NO mandate on meds in pill form, so they just don't care, though they will call in law enforcement to get a look at you if they think you are a drug runner.

Unless you are flying internationally, you can carry the pills any way you like. You do NOT have to declare them or bag them, and they do NOT have to be in labeled Rx containers. Every business traveler I know carries pills domestically in a daily dose box (and carries 2 days' extra doses just in case of delays), but the Rx bottles stay at home.

 

[firsttimer03]

Well, it's only 3 Rx's I'm bringing.....so I don't think I'll be pegged for a drug runner. LOL! I need my cholesterol Rx just in case I have a steak!
I just wanted to make sure that they wouldn't be pitched in the garbage just because I didn't have them in a baggie.
(They did that to my eye drops last Oct.)
I appreciate the responses and info.
Thanks!

 

[DrmWvr1299]

I put all my meds in a baggie just to keep them together. Pressure meds, Advil and Tylenol sinus included. I just pulled the bag out, he looked and said, "great idea."

 

[bearybubba]

Thanks for asking this question!!! I was wondering if I had to keep my pills in my original bottles or if I could use my daily pill dose thingy, which should take up alot less room!!!
Thanks~!!!!

 

[thedish]

I put all of our pills and inhalers in a plastic bag. There is not a limit on volume. (Within reason)

 

[salmoneous]

Even though it isn't necessarily required, it's always a good idea to carry at least photocopies of any prescriptions with you.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Even though it isn't necessarily required, it's always a good idea to carry at least photocopies of any prescriptions with you.

Just curious - why? My pharmacy keeps the original. Do you copy it before you get it filled?
I carry a list with the med name, dose and Rx number so I can call my pharmacy if I need an emergency refill . . . most pharmacies will not honor an photocopy Rx

 

[NotUrsula]

Most people will say in case of an emergency, so that physicians will know what you are taking. I do carry a list, and I think that's good enough for domestic travel. For int'l travel I do carry photocopies, with the chemical name of the drug noted.

 

[bg4]

bringing copies of prescriptions is unnecessary.

all that you need is original bottle or whatever the rx was dispensed in and not in another carrier or bottle or otherwise unmarked. They want to know what it is. What is a prescription going to prove anyway?

 

[NotUrsula]

bringing copies of prescriptions is unnecessary.

all that you need is original bottle or whatever the rx was dispensed in and not in another carrier or bottle or otherwise unmarked. They want to know what it is. What is a prescription going to prove anyway?

Well, for domestic flights TSA doesn't need scrips at all for pills, and they don't care what it is, because under their mandate pills are not a possible source of explosives. As to what a prescription for a liquid is going to prove -- not a darn thing, but it does let them verify that the content is what it purports to be if it comes down to a swab test. Still not illegal to re-bottle whatever you like as long as it isn't an explosive or prohibited flammable substance, but it gives them an excuse to do a more invasive search.

Customs, on the other hand, DOES have a legitimate interest in whether the person carrying a controlled substance has a valid scrip for it. Failure to provide that proof can result in not being allowed entry into a country, so on intl. flights carrying at least a photocopy of the scrip is indeed important. (Japan won't let you in with so much as one pill of Prozac.)

When I travel domestically my weekly Rx pillbox stays in my handbag, where I have it within reach at all times. It doesn't rattle, and it doesn't take up a space the size of a Chicago phonebook, which it would if I carried the original bottles.

 

[Pixiedust34]

My ds has 2 gel (creams for skin) prescriptions, and the tubes are both bigger than 3 ounces, which means they shouldn't go in our plastic bag. I read this:

>>>>However, if the liquid medications are in volumes larger than 3 ozs each, they may not be placed in the quart-size bag and must be declared to the Transportation Security Officer. A declaration can be made verbally, in writing, or by a person's companion, caregiver, interpreter, or family member.>>>>

on the TSA site. Does this just mean that we say to the security officer, "Look. We have 2 RX tubes that are larger than 3 oz. so they are not with our other liquids?" What exactly do you do when your prescription RX is a liquid or gel and it's bigger than a 3 oz. dose?

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

My ds has 2 gel (creams for skin) prescriptions, and the tubes are both bigger than 3 ounces, which means they shouldn't go in our plastic bag. I read this:

>>>>However, if the liquid medications are in volumes larger than 3 ozs each, they may not be placed in the quart-size bag and must be declared to the Transportation Security Officer. A declaration can be made verbally, in writing, or by a person's companion, caregiver, interpreter, or family member.>>>>

on the TSA site. Does this just mean that we say to the security officer, "Look. We have 2 RX tubes that are larger than 3 oz. so they are not with our other liquids?" What exactly do you do when your prescription RX is a liquid or gel and it's bigger than a 3 oz. dose?

Both of my daughters take liquid meds, and the bottles exceed 3 oz. I actually put all of their meds (2 liquid bottles and 1 pill bottle) in a gallon sized ziploc bag (one bottle too big for quart). Then before going through screening, I pull that bag out along with my 3-1-1 bag and show the agents that it is prescription meds. I have never had an agent question the meds, and most thank me for putting them in a separate ziploc like that. I also leave all prescription meds in the original containers. They may be bulkier, but I prefer the original containers!

 

[salmoneous]

Just curious - why?

A copy of the perscription gives you a few useful things:

1) Details as to what drugs you are taking
2) You doctor's name and phone number
3) Proof you have a legal right to the drugs

There are other ways to get the same results, but a quick photocopy of the script seems easiest to me.

 

[Jcricket Fan]

Just returned from Disney went through 2 airports. Mom kept here weekly pills in her usual M-F pill case in the carry on. It was never questioned.

She also carried her inhaler in a separate plastic bag she showed it at Bradley airport (CT) security just waved her through with it and so did the folks at MCO. Absolutely no issues at all.

Colleen

 

[bumbershoot]

Just curious - why? My pharmacy keeps the original. Do you copy it before you get it filled?
I carry a list with the med name, dose and Rx number so I can call my pharmacy if I need an emergency refill . . . most pharmacies will not honor an photocopy Rx

Not THE prescription that the doctor writes. But the labels with your name, the name of the drug, etc, it's a good idea to keep at least a copy of those, if you're taking the medicines out of their original bottle.

My ds has 2 gel (creams for skin) prescriptions, and the tubes are both bigger than 3 ounces, which means they shouldn't go in our plastic bag. I read this:

>>>>However, if the liquid medications are in volumes larger than 3 ozs each, they may not be placed in the quart-size bag and must be declared to the Transportation Security Officer. A declaration can be made verbally, in writing, or by a person's companion, caregiver, interpreter, or family member.>>>>

on the TSA site. Does this just mean that we say to the security officer, "Look. We have 2 RX tubes that are larger than 3 oz. so they are not with our other liquids?" What exactly do you do when your prescription RX is a liquid or gel and it's bigger than a 3 oz. dose?

You each have one bag with your hair gel and your lipgloss and whatnot.

Then you have a different place that you're carrying your medicines (other than pills). Could be a bag, could be a box, could be whatever. Just put all the medicines in there (even the 3 oz ones, if you want) and declare them to the officer/person.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

Just an FYI. While TSA has no mandate to confiscate prescription drugs, other law enforcement does - federal, state, and local. If for some reason you are found in possession of prescription pain killers without the original packaging it can be a real PIA in many instances and could outright ruin your vacation. You can be arrested and your medications can be seized. Forget right and wrong, it could take days to verify that you are in legal possession. If you're carrying any narcotics or CDS, even such things as Darvocet, Tylenol 3, etc - keep them in the original prescription bottle.