Traveler Questions: Prescription Medications

A frequently asked question is how to carry prescription medications while traveling. The following is some general advise about traveling with prescription medication, but we always recommend you speak to your travel agent about your specific concerns and destinations.

• When traveling, bring more medication than you actually need – somewhere between 2-10 days depending on the length of your trip and your specific health risks.
• Bring them in their original containers, especially schedule 2 narcotics, anything with pseudoephedrine, or other sensitive drugs.
• Regardless of what state you live in, traveling with marijuana, even when used for medicinal purposes is almost uniformly prohibited
• When flying, it is best to bring all medications as carry-on luggage, however, be aware of the TSA Regulations (see this link)
• Cruise lines, some lines will require it, while others will recommend it. You will also want to carry this on with you.
• Foreign countries or ports-of-call, bring only what you need for the day or for your excursion – if you are stopped having one or two pills will go much better for you then a jar of medication. Also be aware that purchasing medications overseas is often illegal – so avoid the temptation to purchase cheaper pharmaceuticals.
• US Customs – having reasonable amounts in their original container, which was issued from a US Pharmacy will go a long way to avoid any issues. If you have more than a reasonable amount that are not in original containers may raise concerns and delay your processing through customs.

We also recommend that you carry a complete list of all of your medications with you, along with the contact information for your doctor. This information can come in handy in the event of a legal issue we bring up above, a need to replace lost or forgotten medications, as well as assist in the event of an medical emergency.

We hope you find this information helpful… enjoy your trip!