[hamster-bamster]

I want to ask somebody to transport a Sumatriptan (a migraine attack abortive med) to the US. It is a prescription drug in the US. It is an OTC drug in the country from which the person would be traveling.

I have read
The Rules for Medication on an Airplane | USA Today

What's Allowed

You can bring pills, liquid, gel and aerosol medications onto the plane, as long as you pack and prepare them in a way that complies with the regulations of the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA. You can bring prescription or over-the-counter medications on the plane and they can be packed in either your checked or carry-on luggage. One exception is medical marijuana. Leave this drug at home, since it's illegal to transport it across state lines, even if it's been prescribed to you. Even if you're flying within the state, packing marijuana can cause issues with the security agents and airport police, so leave it at home.

So it seems to suggest that my purpose is legal.

I wonder if there are more explicit rules: I plan to ask to transport a 6-month supply of the medication, which is light in terms of weight (nasal sprays weigh close to nothing), but would take up space, volume-wise, so it might well be noticed by customs.

Any pointers to government or airline information or accounts of personal experiences would be much appreciated.

[venusss]

I have no experience with flying in the US, but usually when carrying medicines, you should carry a doctor's note with it, that's to your name and supply for the time you gonna be spending there.

Not sure what to do if it's OTC in where you coming from... can you still get doctor's note? (I know here, doctor can prescribe OTC medicine (and it's paid fully or partially by health insurance then). Just to be safe.

[Perna]

One cannot bring stuff into the US except for one's own use; if your friend is not staying 6 months and does not take/need the Sumatriptan, you can't get there from here and risk getting your friend in trouble:

Information on U.S. Customs | Embassy of the United States Stockholm, Sweden

OTC drugs are regulated by the FDA too, and have to fill out New Drug Application forms, etc. and prove they are okay to be OTC so I suspect the drug would be "classified" as prescription in this country, no matter where it was bought.

[splitimage]

Just my experience, but I've carried OTC from the US back into Canada, where it wasn't approved for sale, for years and never had any problem. I usually put it in my checked baggage, since that's less likely to be searched, but even in carry on I never had it questioned. I'd typically bring back a 4-6 month supply.

splitimage

[hamster-bamster]

OK. I will ask to bring a 6 month supply of the tablet form of it - it will not be conspicuous in the checked-in luggage. the sprays take space and look conspicuous. I prefer the spray, but, oh well.

[-jimi-]

I don't know if I read this right but are you asking us advice how to commit a crime?

[H3rmit]

Originally Posted by jimi...

I don't know if I read this right but are you asking us advice how to commit a crime?

Funny, I thought she was asking how to avoid committing a crime.