[mikem1034]

I have to take an internatiponal flight which will be at least eight hours long. This makes me quite nervous for a number of reasons. For one, this is going to be a really stressful trip (which is never good for me) but it's unavoidable.

The main issue I'm freaking out about is travelling with my medication. Judging by the time of my flight, I will not need to have any of my meds in my hand luggage so I want to pack it all in my checked bag. I done this once before when I first travelled with my mdes without even thinking about it and it was fine but now I'm a little worried about it.

For international flights, leaving the US and then coming back, is it correct / okay to pack all my meds in my checked bag?
Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks in advance!

[FooZe]

Hi mikem1034, welcome to Psych Central!

I've done only a little international traveling myself and I wasn't carrying any real meds. I did do quite a bit of research on how to get my vitamins, shampoo, trail mix and other suspicious items through customs and security in both directions.

What I mostly found was that regulations vary from country to country. There are separate authorities (with separate regulations) in charge of security (what you can and can't bring on the plane) and customs (what you can and can't bring into the country). I gather that meds are going to be a customs concern rather than a security one; the TSA site, for instance, makes no mention of them (besides cautioning against marijuana). You should probably check the international-visitor websites of all the countries you expect to be entering. I remember reading that to enter the particular country where I was going and/or re-enter the US, I had to have my vitamins in their original labeled containers and (I think) copies of any prescriptions if I'd been bringing any in. That's just an example.

I found that I quite enjoyed knowing that I'd done my research the best way I knew how and didn't have anything to hide. I wouldn't be surprised if the customs people picked up on this at the checkpoints, because they let me through with very few questions. I learned only afterwards that customs people "hate" bags of ground coffee in baggage because it's so often used to hide contraband from drug-sniffing dogs. I'd had coffee in my checked baggage but it didn't even occur to me to mention it among the examples of food I was bringing in.

[hamster-bamster]

I took all the meds on the plane. This was partly because I needed to take some of them and partly so that they would not get lost with checked-in baggage. Checked-in luggage can get lost.

[aquaman]

I haven't flown internationally, but when I do fly I always bring my meds in my carry-on. If you put them in your checked bag, you risk that bag getting lost, then you'll be stuck with nothing.

I think if you keep them in their original bottle with a copy of the prescription on hand you shouldn't have any problems.

Welcome, mikem! Good advice from FooZe. Research the rules of the airline you'll be flying and the specific countries. They spell it out pretty well, so you can proceed with confidence.

I've checked a bag only once. Coming back. I'd gone hooo-doggies hypo and bought too much. Lol. (It was so heavy! Just had to get a set of marble coasters, you know. Another trip I was lugging concrete statuary, so guess it's all relative. That time was train though.)

Ok, back on track. Even if I were one to check bags, I'd definitely have my meds in my carry-on. Stuff happens. Delayed flights, weather, what-have-you. Why chance it?

It's been awhile since I've gone international, but I can't imagine any regulations dictating they be in checked luggage, since, though you don't anticipate needing yours during the flight, others would. Check, of course, but I can't imagine it.

Packing for a recent flight (domestic) I got kind of wiggy about the meds thing. There were so damn many of them(!) Half-expected the Spanish Inquisition. Nope. I had them all together in a big plastic bag. Otherwise they'd be all over the place. Plus, I figured, it's right out there, nothing to hide. Now... in reading, I found where one agency did not insist they be in original bottles, while another one did. My take on that is: do the original bottles. That way you're covered.

Happy travels! (Even if it is stressful, may everything go nice and smoothly for you in all regards.)

[Eliza Jane]

Originally Posted by aquaman

I haven't flown internationally, but when I do fly I always bring my meds in my carry-on. If you put them in your checked bag, you risk that bag getting lost, then you'll be stuck with nothing.

I think if you keep them in their original bottle with a copy of the prescription on hand you shouldn't have any problems.

Agreed. Airlines actually recommend that you NEVER check medications because of the chance that they will be lost or delayed. That would really make you freak out. Keep them in your sight at all times.

Safe travels!
EJ

i would also take the doctors prescription along just in case they want you to show that the meds are yours.

I'm perplexed on the idea of also bringing the prescription that's come up. How is that is even possible? I've EITHER got the slip OR the bottle. Not both. When I go to the pharmacy, they take the prescription in order to fill it. Any refills are noted on the bottle. I don't get the slip back.

They would know that the meds are yours because your info is on your bottles. You already have your ID in order to travel. They match (presumably).

In addition to this, consider all the other info that's on the bottle -- Pharmacy name, location and phone number, as well as the prescribing doctor. You are well beyond covered on the verification thing. And really? It wouldn't even get to that (and I'm prone to over-thinking.)

the prescription rules and the amount of info on the bottle varies from country to country. for one of my meds i got my prescription back and the pharmacist made a copy. one of my meds has my name on it, while another does not. it is a bit confusing :]] when i asked my pdoc about traveling oversees and bringing my meds she said i had to have the prescription on me for the respective country.

[mikem1034]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

I'm perplexed on the idea of also bringing the prescription that's come up. How is that is even possible? I've EITHER got the slip OR the bottle. Not both. When I go to the pharmacy, they take the prescription in order to fill it. Any refills are noted on the bottle. I don't get the slip back.

They would know that the meds are yours because your info is on your bottles. You already have your ID in order to travel. They match (presumably).

In addition to this, consider all the other info that's on the bottle -- Pharmacy name, location and phone number, as well as the prescribing doctor. You are well beyond covered on the verification thing. And really? It wouldn't even get to that (and I'm prone to over-thinking.)

Thanks for the responses

During my research, I was also completely perplexed. I usually just get the bottle. Last time, They gave me a pharmacy print out for each med I was taking, it just says the dosage, prescribing doctor and the possible purpose of the med (eg. bipolar and mood disorder for Geodon etc., too much info maybe... ). In my mind, that should be more than enough. I was just worried about the controlled ones, like Ambien, Lorazepam and other benzo's that I take as needed.

As everyone has said though, these are my meds, legally prescribed by my US Pdoc so I shouldn't be so worried...

[bunnifoo]

I wouldn't check your medication. Just based on the fact that you can't be sure what's going to happen to your luggage. It's one thing to have your luggage lost and need to get replacement clothes, another to replace medications. Also don't pack valuables in your luggage becuase things get stolen.

Last time I few domestically (in the US) I put my medications in a pill box in my purse and no one even blinked twice about it.

[AeonDM]

Check with your pdoc. Get a letter from him of your meds.

[FooZe]

I found a couple of webpages with more information. One is by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, for people coming into the US. Their recommendations:

• Declare all drugs, medicinals, and similar products to the appropriate CBP official
• Carry such substances in their original containers
• Carry only the quantity of such substances that a person with that condition (e.g., chronic pain) would normally carry for his/her personal use
• Carry a prescription or written statement from your physician that the substances are being used under a doctor's supervision and that they are necessary for your physical well being while traveling

The other is Medications and International Travel, a "tipsheet" by Mobility International USA. It's all about... traveling with meds.

[purpledaisy]

Keep them in your carry-on luggage.

Don't put them in your checked luggage. You never know if you will see that luggage again.

Plus, airport employees have access to our luggage and you never know if someone might steal your meds for whatever reason. Or compromise them. I sure wouldn't want to put something in my mouth after it had been out of my sight for a while.

Personally, I keep my meds in my handbag or computer bag that I carry with me rather than in the small piece of luggage that fits into the overhead compartment.

Why?

Because, ever since the airlines started charging for checked luggage, more people have been fitting everything they need for their trips into one carry-on piece that fits into the overhead compartment, and I've been on a couple of flights where there were so many that the overheads were full. The airline employees gave us valet tags as we entered the plane and took our overhead-sized luggage away.

I have sleep apnea and must sleep wearing a CPAP machine so I will breathe. I keep it with me, no matter what. There is no way that I would put such an expensive machine into checked luggage and risk it being lost or broken. Plus I don't want to wonder what might have happened to it sanitation-wise while an airport employee went through it.

Same with meds. Keep them with you and don't risk losing them.