Should we take original med bottles or a pill sorter ?

[ChattyKathy]

Since we have to go though Customs, is it better that I take meds in the original containers with the drs name and directions ~or can I take them along in a 'daily sorter'....Anyone run across this problem or doesn't it matter?
TIA





Kathy

 

[feenie]

I'm pretty sure that you have to have prescriptions in their original bottles....

 

[webray]

your cruise documents say take original containers..

 

[SeaSpray]

I've also read that it's a good idea (and certainly can't hurt!) to bring along a doctor's note saying why the medications are necessary. We went on a Royal Caribbean cruise this summer and they told us the same thing. DH is diabetic so we have to travel with syringes and various medications. We didn't "need" the letter, but I feel it's always better to be safe than sorry, and be prepared!

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Does anyone know if it is a REQUIREMENT or a RECOMMENDATION?

DH takes a lot of meds and that really takes up space. Especially since he organizes them in a daily sorter to keep them straight.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by BuzzBoyMom
Does anyone know if it is a REQUIREMENT or a RECOMMENDATION?

DH takes a lot of meds and that really takes up space. Especially since he organizes them in a daily sorter to keep them straight.

I've never been on a Disney cruise, but I cruised on Royal Caribbean this past summer and have flown a few times in the last couple of years, and NO ONE has ever checked or looked at DH's diabetes medications and supplies. So I'd have to say it's a recommendation that you bring medications in their original containers with the lables on them. It's STRONGLY recommended that you do this, you wouldn't want to be the one person who gets checked and end up with a hassle over the medications.

I personally think it's worth the effort to bring the medications in their original, labeled containers. I wouldn't want the trouble while trying to board the plane or ship.

 

[Kaelynsmom]

I would leave them in their original containers. I'm currently going through fertility treatments and had lots of meds in my suitcase. My luggage was searched at the airport and I was asked about all of the meds I was carrying. Security made detailed notes about all of the meds that I was carrying in my luggage and what they were used for. I'm not sure what would have happened if I didn't have them in the original containers.

 

[figment52]

If you are concerned about space you could always ask your pharmacy if they could give you smaller bottles and give you the appropriate labels for them and then only pack a smaller supply. I'm thinking that if you normally have a 90 day supply those bottles can be bigger than you can carry enough for your vacation in an appropriately sized container.

just a thought....

 

[ChattyKathy]

on BuzzBoyMom's post...We are the very same way....My dd-11 has alot of meds & has a pill sorter also... & it also has the times premarked on it...so we don't get confused. The pill containers can be big and because there are so many pills.... that take up tons of room,
Good thought on the smaller pill containers figment52~IF the pharmacy will do that, I guess I can put the pills back into the pill sorter after I get on board...




Kathy

 

[Minnesota]

Hi from your neighborhood pharmacy tech. PLEASE bring the original bottles along. I have not cruised on Disney since 99 but do so only if for 2 other reasons.

1) if anything should happen to your DH helthcare workers will be able to quickly know what he is taking and how much of it. You may or may not be in a clear mind if he is laying in a diabetic coma and being medivaced off the ship. (I'm praying this never happens but be prepared. My dad is Diabetic too)

2) if something happend to the pills themselves and you need to get it replaced in FL you will need ALL the info on the lables for a pharmacy in FL to get it transfered and filled there. Without it some pharmacies may deny to transfer or it may take hours to complete.

Any self respecting pharmacy will give you duplicate, smaller prescription vials to lighten the load a bit and it only takes a few minutes to reprint lables.

If you still decide to bring the pill sorter at least bring xerox copies of the actuall prescriptions and keep them together. Your pharmacy should be able to give you reference copies given a day or two notice. Again this will help in the two issues I pointed out above.

Thanks
Minnesota CPhT.

 

[IrishCowboy]

Minnesota CPhT,

Thanks for the tips!!

 

[patches-4]

When we took our last cruise DH was and still is on a lot of meds, we took them in the original bottles, go the smaller ones for the trip and took several extras pills in case he dropped any. They did check his pills at the airports, but once we got on the ship he divided them off into the pill sorter for the other days. He did have the copy of the prescriptions from the Dr.'s if they needed them.

 

[Talking Hands]

I am on quite a few meds and use an organizer but still took the original bottles as recommended by DCL. Although I had filled out the medical before cruising if anything had happened they would have needed to know what meds I was currently using and my meds were changed between the time we sent in the med form and the actual cruise. Used a TW lunch bag to carry all the meds in and carried them aboard in my carry on just to be on the safe side

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by BuzzBoyMom
Does anyone know if it is a REQUIREMENT or a RECOMMENDATION?

DH takes a lot of meds and that really takes up space. Especially since he organizes them in a daily sorter to keep them straight.

From Disney Cruise Line website: http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/disneycruiseline/faq/faqgroupingindex?id=GeneralInfoFAQGrping#HomeCanICallHomeFAQ :

"Also remember to bring prescription medicines in original containers, an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, and your camera. Of course, if you do forget something, you can buy it on board. Please note that strollers are available for rental on board."


HTH

 

[walczak4]

As your friendly neighborhood Pharmacist, I have to agree with Minnesota 100%. If something should happen to Alyssa while you are on the cruise, the ship MD will know exactly what she is on and the current dose. You would be surprised the number of patients (and parents) that don't know the names of their medications or even what they are for. (Example: "Can you refill my little yellow pill for me?"). This is especially true if the patient is on a number of medications. Also, I would recommend that you pack all medications in your carry on bags so you know they won't be lost or tampered with in any way.

The only time that an airline (or ship) might require a letter from your doctor is if you are using any kind of injectible medication that requires you to take along needles & syringes. Also, if you are carrying any kind of controlled substance (Vicodin, Valium, Morphine, etc.) that requires a letter because you will be leaving and re-entering the US with it.

Hope this helped Chatty Kathy!

 

[ChattyKathy]

OK, sounds like I can handle taking her original pill bottles...
And I do beleive people are like that...they don't know what pills they take, LOL. Amazing isn't it...
My Alyssa can tell you what she takes, she even knows the name of her pills, because I refer to her pills by the name,...Not that color of this one or this color of that one... And,beleive you me, she takes alot of meds...
Is there a seperate medical form in the docs that gets filled out if you take meds?

Oh well, okay, nuff said....thanks all!





Kathy

 

[rae519]

Also, ALWAYS carry with you a list of your medications and those of your family members. It's astonishing to hear people, when in a crisis, forget their medications and dosages. A current list is a MUST!


Rae

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Thanks all! Reasonable enough for me....I'll do the packing for DH so we'll use original bottles. Great ideas and info.

 

[gizfish]

I understand how it can be important to have original bottles of pills with the RX info on it, but I also understand how people who are used to their pills being in an organizer tend to make mistakes or forget to take medications when that routine is broken. It is important to know the names, doses and times of every medication, and it's easy to forget all that when you are on a bunch of them. So, if you do take the pill organizer instead of a bunch of little bottles, just make a list of all the info from the bottles (including the pharmacy and doc's phone numbers.) Personally, I have traveled quite a bit with just my pill organizer filled with a bunch of different pills in all shapes and sizes, some prescription and others, vitamins and suppliments. DH does the same (and travels extensively for business). I know others who also take the organizer and not the original bottles. I know of nobody that has had a problem or been questioned. Of course if one is traveling with syringes and needles, that's a different story, but I think when customs is looking for drug trafficers or users, the profile generally doesn't include organinzing the pills by time and day. Lol, most junkies and dealer's are usually not that careful with their stash

 

[llfowl]

I used a pill sorter and had no problems.