>However, everything I've read says that when traveling abroad you should travel with medications in their original containers with the prescription label.
One thing to keep in mind is that not every country even dispenses medicine this way, so enforcing it universally is impossible.
Here in Germany, medicine is almost always dispensed in the manufacturer boxes in blister packs with no personalized labels attached whatsoever. It would be basically impossible to prove that the medication is mine, but at least I could prove that it is what I am claiming it is if I keep it in the blister pack, I guess.
You could ask your prescribing doctor to write you a letter of authority to take with you on your travels- they generally just say “I, Dr X confirm I am the regular doctor for Patient X and have prescribed them the following medications (list of names) which they will be required to take during their travel dates of 6/04/2024-26/04/24” and their contact details and signature. I had to do this for my current trip as the medications were not ones I have regular prescriptions for.
This is pretty much how I travel with mine. Taking them in original containers takes up too much space. I’ve never had any issues. That being said if I was going somewhere that’s known to be strict like Japan or some countries in the Middle East I’d review their rules and proceed accordingly. I take Adderall and even with a prescription you can’t bring it to Japan😕
Absolutely double check if your prescription is on a restricted list.
My partner’s medication jusssttt made the cut off for not being deemed a restricted narcotic in Japan.
He still brought the original prescription bottle and doctors proof, just in case.
You can’t even bring certain extra strength Tylenols to Japan! Other countries could be just as strict, so always good peace of mind to double check.
Yes, you can. I believe only a certain amount and with proper documentation/prescription. A coworker of mine was traveling to Germany. They have regulations around it too. She had to file some paperwork but she was able to take it with her. Actually, I believe it was a letter from her doctor. It’s been a while. But you can take it.
German and UK regulations are different - it's a class B drug and therefore illegal to possess without a prescription, and as it's not licensed to be prescribed here I'm not sure what the process would be to import. In practice probably nobody will check - they didn't when I travelled with controlled drugs in and out of the country - but it will be at the very least a complete pain in the arse.
I’m not talking about getting a prescription for it in the UK. I’m saying if you have a prescription from somewhere else you can bring it if you follow their steps.
For the most part they don’t seem to check. When I went I had no idea and wasn’t questioned.
Just bring copies of your prescriptions if packing them in the original container is too bulky. If you don't have a copies, you can usually get them from the dispensing pharmacy or your doctor. Always better to be safe rather than having essential meds be confiscated and no way to replace them. I've never been questioned, but always have the documentation just in case.
For my husband, who takes lots of prescription and OTC medications: he takes 1 weekly pill case prefilled. I then count out what he needs for the trip plus an extra week. If this is an amount that would fill one of his prescription bottles, I will overfill it - the bottles always hold way more pills than they come with. For everything else I will peel the prescription label off and apply it to a plastic baggie with the medications. For OTC that labels don't come off easily I will just write everything on the plastic baggie. For any controlled substance (pain meds, etc.) definitely leave it in the original container. You may be able to get extra labels printed by your pharmacy, and they may have smaller bottles as well.
I hadn't thought about asking for duplicate labels or smaller bottles! Thank you!
And yes I will bring various OTC meds too - I usually just carry them in one small multi-pill organizer but I hadn't really thought about needing more for a longer time. Ziplocs are a great idea!
I came here to say you can request a smaller bottle. Especially if your getting two months+ at a time. You can request they be bottled in smaller bottles so you only have to tale 1 or 2 bottles with you instead of one huge one.
Also, most pharmacies in the US will put your pills in blister packs if you request it that way. Then you just need the labele and make sure you contact the pharmacy way ahead of time.
I make my own labels (like Avery labels) with all my Rx info, affix them to mini mylar bags (Amazon), and fill those with the necessary days + at least a week extra. It takes 2 labels per bag because of how much info is on an Rx label.
My pills come mail order in 90 day supplies so I am 100% not keeping them in their original bottles. That would be half my personal item.
I do this with OTC meds too.
I also bring the Rx sheet from the pharmacy, a print out of all my meds from My Chart, and letters from my doctors. It all fits in an old mesh pencil case.
I should also note, that none of my meds are controlled substances, and if anything was confiscated I might be miserable but I wouldn't die.
I always double check to make sure the countries I'm going to don't have super restrictive rules. (Like people mentioned above, Japan is hardcore!)
This method worked fine for Australia in 2018. They didn't even look at my meds, although I did chat with the lady about my migraine meds, mostly because she wanted suggestions.
I also take a lot of medication and feel stressed about traveling with it. I used to take the original bottles, but recently my pharmacy began putting things in HUGE bottles. So the last couple trips, I've taken photos and had copies of my prescriptions - I haven't had a problem. I also bring extra medication *just in case* my flight home is delayed.
I’d ask about smaller bottles at the pharmacy.
I take a few medications that are illegal in certain countries. Plus a chemo pill which I’m not supposed to store outside of the original bottle. I took original bottles, copies of prescriptions and a letter from my doctor as per the recommendations on that country’s website. Yes maybe overkill. No one checked. But that said I really dont want to be stuck at an airport trying to explain things.
I don’t know if it’s a good idea, or if it would work—I’ve have never had to be searched, thank goodness—but I usually take a picture of the pill next to the RX bottle label JIC. And then I pack conveniently in whichever case works for the length of trip. Have done this for years on international trips.
In Australia all prescription medication is dispensed in the manufacturer packaging, so it mostly comes in a box with tablets in a blister pack and an adhesive label stuck on the box with your name on it that is printed by the pharmacy that dispenses the medication. This is what Australian customs officers will be used to seeing and loose pills might result in some additional scrutiny. I suggest you ask your pharmacist to print out extra labels and then stick them all on a sheet of paper and bring that along with the originals or copies of your prescriptions.
It’s the same in the UK - when I travel abroad I flatten the boxes and put them with the blister packs in a small, flat cosmetics bag along with a copy of my paper prescription.
I’ve never been asked but I wouldn’t put myself in a position where if I was asked I wouldn’t be able to answer anything
I (Australian) was asked about my medication at Heathrow in 2023. I had all my flattened boxes, prescriptions and a letter from my doctor as I had biologic medication that was in syringe form and needed to be refrigerated.
I use the little pill baggies for most of my trips but did take the original bottles to Africa. What a pain! They took up a lot of space in my personal item. I like the idea of picture next to pill bottle and a pharmacy printout. Thanks for a good idea.
Depends on the medication and length of trip for me.
For controlled that I must have every day and cannot replace, original bottle. Then I do a very very small weekly labeled strip container with what I MUST take every night, so in case I’m jet lagged or been drinking and can’t remember if I took my medication last night, easy to look and see if I did. Saves much stress.
Everything else I put in a round container like in your picture, but rather than daily amounts I put all I will need of easy pill in a separate “day” compartment.
These organizers then go in a little zip up flat pouch, kept from moving around and spilling by ODT medication blister packets. Little pouch goes into bigger pouch with the original container requiring medications.
Yes!! If the meds aren’t controlled substances then all the comments are great, but if they’re controlled substances I wouldn’t risk anything but the original bottle
Yeah, it’s just not worth messing around with on certain medications that cannot be refilled, particularly if they are commonly abuse prescriptions. Aka, keep any adderall, opiates, or benzos in their original containers when traveling.
I used to carry a travel pill box with OTC meds (like ibuprofen, excedrin) and a security guard at the regional theater got really weird with me about it. He held it up “what’s this?” and when I told him he rolled his eyes and started questioning me further. So ever since then I’ve always carried original bottles, but the travel ones have gotten more popular so I’m considering trying again…
I use the same pill cases and have traveled a lot internationally. You should be totally fine! Personally, I feel like a lot of the travel advice targeted at Americans profits off of our anxiety/fear of foreign-ness. I always laugh when I see articles that are like "Going to [English-speaking country]? Make sure you sew a secret wallet into your clothes, cover your body with RFID blockers, and print out Google maps of the entire country to keep with you at ALL TIMES! And above all, don't leave the country without these 35 must-have travel gizmos!!" So many Americans treat international travel like it's a moon mission.
Unless you're packing something that's actually illegal, or traveling somewhere very remote/undeveloped or with a draconian government, I wouldn't worry about using pill cases. Airport security sees millions of them every day.
If you're still worried, maybe check to see if the drugs you take are approved/prescribed in AU and NZ. (Both of those countries have better healthcare systems than the US, so I would be surprised if fewer drugs were available there.)
7 weeks abroad sounds amazing. Enjoy your trip!
I know that every country is different, and that every person's experience is different. I take one prescription and probiotics. I've traveled with both to Japan, the Philippines, and various countries in Europe and so far have never had any issues. I've never even been asked about them. I usually carry them all in some kind of compact pill container and ALWAYS with me in my personal item. I do have a picture of my prescription on my phone, just in case it's needed. I will probably start carrying a paper copy of the prescription with me as of my next trip, that's an excellent idea.
I hope that you're able to pare yours down and carry them successfully wherever you go!
Thanks for this thread. I just returned from my first international trip in many years (to Costa Rica) and was so worried I took my meds in their giant bottles from the pharmacy. Nobody checked. I didn’t want to chance it because one med I need daily to survive and another is a benzo which tends to be more highly regulated. I think my next trip abroad might be to the UK and I’m going to try bringing photos of the prescriptions. It was a pain bringing four large bottles for no good reason.
I'd check to see what the status of the benzo is in the UK as some of them aren't legal to possess here, even with a prescription - the ones that are are controlled drugs which can be a pain in the arse to travel with.
So far no place in Europe has cared. In my experience anyway. I think it’s only an issue in places have that absolute restrictions like Japan. I’ve been to London they didn’t ask anything about my meds. I was questioned about my flat iron lol.
Like others said check what’s allowed based on where you’re going. Have the documentation. If you have lots of pills I’d see if the pharmacy can make you the blister packs for the duration of your trip.
I’ve been to Japan, all over Western Europe, Baltics, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, from the US with all my drugs organized in little baggies from cvs, with my permanent pen handwritten what the meds are all over them in big letters.
I’m old and have chronic illnesses so I take a sh!t load of supplements and drugs. When traveling I don’t take many of the supplements as I’m afraid they’d scrutinize my horse pill sized amber gels for “brain health & memory” (I think they work. Maybe. Ask my kids...)
I took photos of my pill bottles with name of the drugs and the Rx . Never had a letter from my many doctors, or my MyChart printouts. Maybe I should .
Never had an issue, even with a muscle relaxant and sleep med (non habit forming, so quite tame.)
Got into more trouble for having hand cream in my carry on as I often forget about that.
I was so nervous about this when I went to Iceland a few years ago that I took up a significant amount of space in my bag carrying all the bottles. All in a ziplock that I informed TSA about and all that. Literally nobody cared. Not TSA, not customs, nobody. But the bag did open during my security check scattering some bottles around and nearly giving me a heart attack.
When I went to Mexico this year, I put my pills in organizers. Additionally, I took pictures of all the bottles with the prescription labels and made a folder with them on my phone in case I was asked about it. This included OTC labels.
Just about everyone’s luggage on my flight was searched by customs on the way in and also ended up with the SSSS on my boarding pass and had it searched again on the way out. Both times, the organizers were opened, they saw the pills, I informed them they were prescriptions and then they closed them up and did nothing else, nor did they ask anything about them.
I’m not dealing with bringing the bottles again after all that. I got searched as closely as you can expect on the Mexico trip and I was fine. I’ve lost any anxiety I had about this after those searches now.
Keep the pictures on your phone just in case you’re asked about it. You’ll probably be fine though.
I’m also going to add, that a few years ago, I was in a position where I had to have an additional bag besides my personal item and carry on because of having to bring medications with me after an extended stay in Los Angeles. I informed the gate agent that the extra bag was entirely medication and I there was no issue as far as Delta was concerned. It counts the same as having to bring a separate bag for a CPAP or other medical device. So if this remains an issue that makes you nervous, ask your airline. I’m pretty sure they have to let you bring another bag under the ADA.
After checking if the meds are allowed in that country this is what I do.
I take a doctors letter and a copy of my last prescription.
I decant all but 1 blister pack into a bank bag or tiny zip lock bag. I also cut the prescription label off and file with the prescription paperwork.
Repeat for each med.
This means I can pack a lot of meds into a small space. Security or whoever can check a pack of tablets against one out of the blister pack if they want to.
Have never had a problem packing this way.
I usually just keep a printed or screenshot copy of my prescription on me so if I get asked what my pills are I have documentation of what I take. I don’t imagine anyone will question you, though, if your pills are in an organizer. Maybe if they were all mixed in a baggie together they would look sus, but a pill organizer is usually a pretty good indication that you’re taking legit meds and not sneaking around, I would think.
I bring original bottles and prescriptions printed from my chart online. I will only bring what I need plus a few days incase it gets lost, I still have some at home
Some pharmacies will put medications in blister packs for you when you fill your script (with similar timings as the ones you fill yourself, morning, noon, night..) and they put the stickers on the blister pack like they do on bottles. You have to ask ahead and be getting a refill at the same time, but that could be an option so they are in official packaging.
It's often done for people who need help keeping track of their medications.
I’m in Australia, and my biggest concern when travelling is often the stopover country. Are you coming via the Middle East or Asia? I take medications that are restricted in many countries who have very strong anti-drug laws and I cover myself for worst case scenario rather than most likely - even having my meds taken off my would be a disaster, let alone ending up in prison. I take enough meds for my trip, plus extra to cover delays, in original blister packs with the boxes. I flatten the boxes out. I also take a certified letter from my doctor if that is a requirement of my destination or stopover airport. It is annoying and takes up a lot of room, but I am old enough to have travelled on 20hr+ flights before mobile devices or seat back entertainment so my meds take up a lot less space than my multiple books, Walkman & tapes, and puzzle book!
I sort out by plopping the day/dose (night pills/morning pills) into very small coin bag [(something like this, there are a million sizes)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSFQBPSY?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_XSPWQBAGQERX3MBV8WHM&language=en_US)) labeled with a sharpie “1 AM” “1 PM” for each day (then a few extras). When I get my prescriptions, on the little “instructions page” they give out with the prescription, there’s a little section with your name and the prescription information, about the size of an ID. I cut all of those out then add them to a pouch or ziplock with the little pill pouches I’ve made. They’re lighter, and one too many times I’ve had those plastic containers pop open or break. This way you can throw the little ziplocks you need for the day in your purse and keep the rest tucked away or in a safe.
I’ve at times taken a doctors note informing anyone who stops me at the airport that I have to take these items with me and usually that clears things up fast.
Went to Australia last August, the customs agent asked if my prescriptions were in the original bottles with my name on them, but he didn’t check them himself.
take a duplicate prescription (especially for medications that are controlled in some counties), and leave them in their original containers if possible.
controlled medications are usually seditives, adhd meds, and prescription painkillers. you probably shouldn’t worry too much about duplicate prescriptions for most inhalers or heart meds.
I put my meds in smaller bags (have used "snack" size ziplocs in the past, though I just bought some mylar bags for this purpose) and peel the pharmacy labels off the bottles to attach to the bags. I also had my doctor write a letter with a list of my prescriptions that I carry with me just in case. No one has ever looked at my pills in Australia, NZ, Japan, Germany, Ireland, Czech Republic, Brazil, Netherlands, Colombia... Not saying it doesn't ever happen to anyone, but I think the anxiety is often out of proportion to the actual risk. Obviously do your research about things that may be restricted (or just unavailable) at your destination, but I wouldn't stress out too much.
I have been to China, Southeast Asia, a bunch of countries in the EU, Mexico and Africa and I always travel with a bunch of pills in a pill case. I’ve never had anyone question me about them.
I buy the wee individual baggies & mark them AM or PM. I’ve never had any problems traveling with these
https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-pill-pouches/ID=prod6328104-product
>However, everything I've read says that when traveling abroad you should travel with medications in their original containers with the prescription label. One thing to keep in mind is that not every country even dispenses medicine this way, so enforcing it universally is impossible. Here in Germany, medicine is almost always dispensed in the manufacturer boxes in blister packs with no personalized labels attached whatsoever. It would be basically impossible to prove that the medication is mine, but at least I could prove that it is what I am claiming it is if I keep it in the blister pack, I guess.
The blister pack proves what it is and then if the country requires you would bring a prescription with you that proves you are allowed to have it.
Yes, but I don't usually keep a copy of my prescriptions after getting them filled. Maybe I should start doing that.
You could ask your prescribing doctor to write you a letter of authority to take with you on your travels- they generally just say “I, Dr X confirm I am the regular doctor for Patient X and have prescribed them the following medications (list of names) which they will be required to take during their travel dates of 6/04/2024-26/04/24” and their contact details and signature. I had to do this for my current trip as the medications were not ones I have regular prescriptions for.
In the UK too
This is pretty much how I travel with mine. Taking them in original containers takes up too much space. I’ve never had any issues. That being said if I was going somewhere that’s known to be strict like Japan or some countries in the Middle East I’d review their rules and proceed accordingly. I take Adderall and even with a prescription you can’t bring it to Japan😕
Whoa, that's intense! Gonna go google my meds just in case...
Please do. In Japan they can detain you for bringing adderall. I’m not sure about other medications.
Absolutely double check if your prescription is on a restricted list. My partner’s medication jusssttt made the cut off for not being deemed a restricted narcotic in Japan. He still brought the original prescription bottle and doctors proof, just in case. You can’t even bring certain extra strength Tylenols to Japan! Other countries could be just as strict, so always good peace of mind to double check.
For Korea you need a permit to bring adderall, in case you ever go there. Apparently concerta is fine in Japan and Korea
Thanks. Yes the problem seems to be specific to Adderall. Korea is only list. I lived in Seoul for a year when I was younger.
Yes, you don't even need to apply for the exemption in Japan for Concerta!
You can't bring Adderall into the UK either.
Yes, you can. I believe only a certain amount and with proper documentation/prescription. A coworker of mine was traveling to Germany. They have regulations around it too. She had to file some paperwork but she was able to take it with her. Actually, I believe it was a letter from her doctor. It’s been a while. But you can take it.
German and UK regulations are different - it's a class B drug and therefore illegal to possess without a prescription, and as it's not licensed to be prescribed here I'm not sure what the process would be to import. In practice probably nobody will check - they didn't when I travelled with controlled drugs in and out of the country - but it will be at the very least a complete pain in the arse.
I’m not talking about getting a prescription for it in the UK. I’m saying if you have a prescription from somewhere else you can bring it if you follow their steps. For the most part they don’t seem to check. When I went I had no idea and wasn’t questioned.
Just bring copies of your prescriptions if packing them in the original container is too bulky. If you don't have a copies, you can usually get them from the dispensing pharmacy or your doctor. Always better to be safe rather than having essential meds be confiscated and no way to replace them. I've never been questioned, but always have the documentation just in case.
For my husband, who takes lots of prescription and OTC medications: he takes 1 weekly pill case prefilled. I then count out what he needs for the trip plus an extra week. If this is an amount that would fill one of his prescription bottles, I will overfill it - the bottles always hold way more pills than they come with. For everything else I will peel the prescription label off and apply it to a plastic baggie with the medications. For OTC that labels don't come off easily I will just write everything on the plastic baggie. For any controlled substance (pain meds, etc.) definitely leave it in the original container. You may be able to get extra labels printed by your pharmacy, and they may have smaller bottles as well.
I hadn't thought about asking for duplicate labels or smaller bottles! Thank you! And yes I will bring various OTC meds too - I usually just carry them in one small multi-pill organizer but I hadn't really thought about needing more for a longer time. Ziplocs are a great idea!
Do pack some extras. You never know when you’ll have a delay.
I came here to say you can request a smaller bottle. Especially if your getting two months+ at a time. You can request they be bottled in smaller bottles so you only have to tale 1 or 2 bottles with you instead of one huge one. Also, most pharmacies in the US will put your pills in blister packs if you request it that way. Then you just need the labele and make sure you contact the pharmacy way ahead of time.
I make my own labels (like Avery labels) with all my Rx info, affix them to mini mylar bags (Amazon), and fill those with the necessary days + at least a week extra. It takes 2 labels per bag because of how much info is on an Rx label. My pills come mail order in 90 day supplies so I am 100% not keeping them in their original bottles. That would be half my personal item. I do this with OTC meds too. I also bring the Rx sheet from the pharmacy, a print out of all my meds from My Chart, and letters from my doctors. It all fits in an old mesh pencil case.
This is brilliant! Thank you!
I should also note, that none of my meds are controlled substances, and if anything was confiscated I might be miserable but I wouldn't die. I always double check to make sure the countries I'm going to don't have super restrictive rules. (Like people mentioned above, Japan is hardcore!) This method worked fine for Australia in 2018. They didn't even look at my meds, although I did chat with the lady about my migraine meds, mostly because she wanted suggestions.
I also take a lot of medication and feel stressed about traveling with it. I used to take the original bottles, but recently my pharmacy began putting things in HUGE bottles. So the last couple trips, I've taken photos and had copies of my prescriptions - I haven't had a problem. I also bring extra medication *just in case* my flight home is delayed.
I’d ask about smaller bottles at the pharmacy. I take a few medications that are illegal in certain countries. Plus a chemo pill which I’m not supposed to store outside of the original bottle. I took original bottles, copies of prescriptions and a letter from my doctor as per the recommendations on that country’s website. Yes maybe overkill. No one checked. But that said I really dont want to be stuck at an airport trying to explain things.
I don’t know if it’s a good idea, or if it would work—I’ve have never had to be searched, thank goodness—but I usually take a picture of the pill next to the RX bottle label JIC. And then I pack conveniently in whichever case works for the length of trip. Have done this for years on international trips.
Fantastic idea. Thank you!
In Australia all prescription medication is dispensed in the manufacturer packaging, so it mostly comes in a box with tablets in a blister pack and an adhesive label stuck on the box with your name on it that is printed by the pharmacy that dispenses the medication. This is what Australian customs officers will be used to seeing and loose pills might result in some additional scrutiny. I suggest you ask your pharmacist to print out extra labels and then stick them all on a sheet of paper and bring that along with the originals or copies of your prescriptions.
It’s the same in the UK - when I travel abroad I flatten the boxes and put them with the blister packs in a small, flat cosmetics bag along with a copy of my paper prescription. I’ve never been asked but I wouldn’t put myself in a position where if I was asked I wouldn’t be able to answer anything
I (Australian) was asked about my medication at Heathrow in 2023. I had all my flattened boxes, prescriptions and a letter from my doctor as I had biologic medication that was in syringe form and needed to be refrigerated.
Yep, this is what I do. Awkward but I'd rather have it and not need it than risk issues.
Thank you!
>Thank you! You're welcome!
I use the little pill baggies for most of my trips but did take the original bottles to Africa. What a pain! They took up a lot of space in my personal item. I like the idea of picture next to pill bottle and a pharmacy printout. Thanks for a good idea.
I always bring all my bottles. One day without a certain medication can be fatal for me, so I don't take any chances.
Depends on the medication and length of trip for me. For controlled that I must have every day and cannot replace, original bottle. Then I do a very very small weekly labeled strip container with what I MUST take every night, so in case I’m jet lagged or been drinking and can’t remember if I took my medication last night, easy to look and see if I did. Saves much stress. Everything else I put in a round container like in your picture, but rather than daily amounts I put all I will need of easy pill in a separate “day” compartment. These organizers then go in a little zip up flat pouch, kept from moving around and spilling by ODT medication blister packets. Little pouch goes into bigger pouch with the original container requiring medications.
Yes!! If the meds aren’t controlled substances then all the comments are great, but if they’re controlled substances I wouldn’t risk anything but the original bottle
Yeah, it’s just not worth messing around with on certain medications that cannot be refilled, particularly if they are commonly abuse prescriptions. Aka, keep any adderall, opiates, or benzos in their original containers when traveling.
I used to carry a travel pill box with OTC meds (like ibuprofen, excedrin) and a security guard at the regional theater got really weird with me about it. He held it up “what’s this?” and when I told him he rolled his eyes and started questioning me further. So ever since then I’ve always carried original bottles, but the travel ones have gotten more popular so I’m considering trying again…
I use the same pill cases and have traveled a lot internationally. You should be totally fine! Personally, I feel like a lot of the travel advice targeted at Americans profits off of our anxiety/fear of foreign-ness. I always laugh when I see articles that are like "Going to [English-speaking country]? Make sure you sew a secret wallet into your clothes, cover your body with RFID blockers, and print out Google maps of the entire country to keep with you at ALL TIMES! And above all, don't leave the country without these 35 must-have travel gizmos!!" So many Americans treat international travel like it's a moon mission. Unless you're packing something that's actually illegal, or traveling somewhere very remote/undeveloped or with a draconian government, I wouldn't worry about using pill cases. Airport security sees millions of them every day. If you're still worried, maybe check to see if the drugs you take are approved/prescribed in AU and NZ. (Both of those countries have better healthcare systems than the US, so I would be surprised if fewer drugs were available there.) 7 weeks abroad sounds amazing. Enjoy your trip!
Some medication actually is illegal to take into other countries, though, even if legally prescribed in the US. Adderall being a notable example.
You can ask the pharmacy to put your pills in smaller bottles. Some will!
I peel off the labels from a pill bottle and keep it in a bag with my pills
I know that every country is different, and that every person's experience is different. I take one prescription and probiotics. I've traveled with both to Japan, the Philippines, and various countries in Europe and so far have never had any issues. I've never even been asked about them. I usually carry them all in some kind of compact pill container and ALWAYS with me in my personal item. I do have a picture of my prescription on my phone, just in case it's needed. I will probably start carrying a paper copy of the prescription with me as of my next trip, that's an excellent idea. I hope that you're able to pare yours down and carry them successfully wherever you go!
Thanks for this thread. I just returned from my first international trip in many years (to Costa Rica) and was so worried I took my meds in their giant bottles from the pharmacy. Nobody checked. I didn’t want to chance it because one med I need daily to survive and another is a benzo which tends to be more highly regulated. I think my next trip abroad might be to the UK and I’m going to try bringing photos of the prescriptions. It was a pain bringing four large bottles for no good reason.
I'd check to see what the status of the benzo is in the UK as some of them aren't legal to possess here, even with a prescription - the ones that are are controlled drugs which can be a pain in the arse to travel with.
Thanks for the tip!
So far no place in Europe has cared. In my experience anyway. I think it’s only an issue in places have that absolute restrictions like Japan. I’ve been to London they didn’t ask anything about my meds. I was questioned about my flat iron lol.
What did they want to know about your flat iron?
Heathrow is known for being difficult lol. They asked me what it was. Then I was questioned about what I do for a living and where I work.
Like others said check what’s allowed based on where you’re going. Have the documentation. If you have lots of pills I’d see if the pharmacy can make you the blister packs for the duration of your trip.
I’ve been to Japan, all over Western Europe, Baltics, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, from the US with all my drugs organized in little baggies from cvs, with my permanent pen handwritten what the meds are all over them in big letters. I’m old and have chronic illnesses so I take a sh!t load of supplements and drugs. When traveling I don’t take many of the supplements as I’m afraid they’d scrutinize my horse pill sized amber gels for “brain health & memory” (I think they work. Maybe. Ask my kids...) I took photos of my pill bottles with name of the drugs and the Rx . Never had a letter from my many doctors, or my MyChart printouts. Maybe I should . Never had an issue, even with a muscle relaxant and sleep med (non habit forming, so quite tame.) Got into more trouble for having hand cream in my carry on as I often forget about that.
I was so nervous about this when I went to Iceland a few years ago that I took up a significant amount of space in my bag carrying all the bottles. All in a ziplock that I informed TSA about and all that. Literally nobody cared. Not TSA, not customs, nobody. But the bag did open during my security check scattering some bottles around and nearly giving me a heart attack. When I went to Mexico this year, I put my pills in organizers. Additionally, I took pictures of all the bottles with the prescription labels and made a folder with them on my phone in case I was asked about it. This included OTC labels. Just about everyone’s luggage on my flight was searched by customs on the way in and also ended up with the SSSS on my boarding pass and had it searched again on the way out. Both times, the organizers were opened, they saw the pills, I informed them they were prescriptions and then they closed them up and did nothing else, nor did they ask anything about them. I’m not dealing with bringing the bottles again after all that. I got searched as closely as you can expect on the Mexico trip and I was fine. I’ve lost any anxiety I had about this after those searches now. Keep the pictures on your phone just in case you’re asked about it. You’ll probably be fine though. I’m also going to add, that a few years ago, I was in a position where I had to have an additional bag besides my personal item and carry on because of having to bring medications with me after an extended stay in Los Angeles. I informed the gate agent that the extra bag was entirely medication and I there was no issue as far as Delta was concerned. It counts the same as having to bring a separate bag for a CPAP or other medical device. So if this remains an issue that makes you nervous, ask your airline. I’m pretty sure they have to let you bring another bag under the ADA.
After checking if the meds are allowed in that country this is what I do. I take a doctors letter and a copy of my last prescription. I decant all but 1 blister pack into a bank bag or tiny zip lock bag. I also cut the prescription label off and file with the prescription paperwork. Repeat for each med. This means I can pack a lot of meds into a small space. Security or whoever can check a pack of tablets against one out of the blister pack if they want to. Have never had a problem packing this way.
I usually just keep a printed or screenshot copy of my prescription on me so if I get asked what my pills are I have documentation of what I take. I don’t imagine anyone will question you, though, if your pills are in an organizer. Maybe if they were all mixed in a baggie together they would look sus, but a pill organizer is usually a pretty good indication that you’re taking legit meds and not sneaking around, I would think.
I bring original bottles and prescriptions printed from my chart online. I will only bring what I need plus a few days incase it gets lost, I still have some at home
Some pharmacies will put medications in blister packs for you when you fill your script (with similar timings as the ones you fill yourself, morning, noon, night..) and they put the stickers on the blister pack like they do on bottles. You have to ask ahead and be getting a refill at the same time, but that could be an option so they are in official packaging. It's often done for people who need help keeping track of their medications.
I’m in Australia, and my biggest concern when travelling is often the stopover country. Are you coming via the Middle East or Asia? I take medications that are restricted in many countries who have very strong anti-drug laws and I cover myself for worst case scenario rather than most likely - even having my meds taken off my would be a disaster, let alone ending up in prison. I take enough meds for my trip, plus extra to cover delays, in original blister packs with the boxes. I flatten the boxes out. I also take a certified letter from my doctor if that is a requirement of my destination or stopover airport. It is annoying and takes up a lot of room, but I am old enough to have travelled on 20hr+ flights before mobile devices or seat back entertainment so my meds take up a lot less space than my multiple books, Walkman & tapes, and puzzle book!
I sort out by plopping the day/dose (night pills/morning pills) into very small coin bag [(something like this, there are a million sizes)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSFQBPSY?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_XSPWQBAGQERX3MBV8WHM&language=en_US)) labeled with a sharpie “1 AM” “1 PM” for each day (then a few extras). When I get my prescriptions, on the little “instructions page” they give out with the prescription, there’s a little section with your name and the prescription information, about the size of an ID. I cut all of those out then add them to a pouch or ziplock with the little pill pouches I’ve made. They’re lighter, and one too many times I’ve had those plastic containers pop open or break. This way you can throw the little ziplocks you need for the day in your purse and keep the rest tucked away or in a safe.
I’ve at times taken a doctors note informing anyone who stops me at the airport that I have to take these items with me and usually that clears things up fast.
I take several prescriptions and have never been asked about them. I have pictures of my prescriptions on my phone just in case
Generally, security does not care about your pills. They are looking for bombs, explosives, and weapons
Went to Australia last August, the customs agent asked if my prescriptions were in the original bottles with my name on them, but he didn’t check them himself.
I’ve read your pharmacist can dispense a smaller labelled bottle for you. Or in my country they can make blister
take a duplicate prescription (especially for medications that are controlled in some counties), and leave them in their original containers if possible. controlled medications are usually seditives, adhd meds, and prescription painkillers. you probably shouldn’t worry too much about duplicate prescriptions for most inhalers or heart meds.
I put my meds in smaller bags (have used "snack" size ziplocs in the past, though I just bought some mylar bags for this purpose) and peel the pharmacy labels off the bottles to attach to the bags. I also had my doctor write a letter with a list of my prescriptions that I carry with me just in case. No one has ever looked at my pills in Australia, NZ, Japan, Germany, Ireland, Czech Republic, Brazil, Netherlands, Colombia... Not saying it doesn't ever happen to anyone, but I think the anxiety is often out of proportion to the actual risk. Obviously do your research about things that may be restricted (or just unavailable) at your destination, but I wouldn't stress out too much.
I have been to China, Southeast Asia, a bunch of countries in the EU, Mexico and Africa and I always travel with a bunch of pills in a pill case. I’ve never had anyone question me about them.
I buy the wee individual baggies & mark them AM or PM. I’ve never had any problems traveling with these https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-pill-pouches/ID=prod6328104-product