Can you take prescription medications on a plane?

You can take prescription medications on a plane. They can be placed in a clear plastic bag for screening or in your checked-in luggage. But you may have to undergo additional security checks and you should be prepared for these. The following tips may help:

• Arrive early to allow time for screening which may take longer because you have medications
• Tell the security officer that you are carrying medications with you and show them your disability card if you have one
• Let the security office know if you have liquid medications that you do not want to be screened by x-ray. They will be screened by another method
• Liquid medications in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) are allowed in carry-on baggage but may be subject to additional screening. Other liquids must follow the 3-1-1 rule (no more than 3.4 ounces, must fit in one clear plastic bag, and you are only allowed 1 bag)
• You will be screened by advanced imaging technology and a walk-through metal detector or undergo a pat-down if these screening techniques are not suitable for you. If you have a pacemaker or are traveling with a portable medical device, such as an insulin pump, be sure to tell the security officer beforehand



• Additional screening, such as explosive trace detection or possibly fingerprint drug detection may also be undertaken at some airports
• At any time during screening, you may be asked additional questions by a supervisor or asked to go to a private screening area
• Contact the TSA helpline, TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227, or email TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov, by Twitter (@AskTSA) or Facebook Messenger
• Be aware that some medications that you have obtained legally in the United States, may be illegal in other countries. These include prescription narcotics of any sort (including those that contain hydrocodone or codeine), needles or syringes, and some medications for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Some countries even have restrictions on sedating antihistamines, seizure medications, or hormonal contraceptives
• Always take what you need for the trip, plus an extra two weeks just in case you have delays. But if you need more than 90 days – arrange for more to be delivered by mail or courier. Include a letter from your doctor, and the original prescription, and keep all medicines in their original container with the label attached
• It is best to take your medicines in your carry-on luggage – just in case you need your medication during your flight, have delays, or your checked luggage goes missing. However, you can take extra supplies in your checked luggage
• If you are traveling overseas and are concerned about the legality of your medicines there, contact the embassy at your destination country or call the TSA toll-free number at 1-855-787-2227 for further advice
• Nitroglycerin tablets and spray (used in people with coronary artery disease to treat episodes of angina) are allowed
• Make sure you know enough about your condition and medicines so that you can clearly and confidently answer basic questions. Have your doctor’s phone number on hand just in case or get them to write a letter as support.

Call the TSAs toll-free number (1-855-787-2227) at least 72 hours before traveling to find out more about screening policies, procedures, and what to expect at security checkpoints.

What about OTC medications?

Even if your medications can be purchased over the counter from a pharmacy or supermarket, carry them in a clear plastic bag, in the original packaging, and tell the security officer that you have them with you.

Each country has its own laws regarding medicines. There may be some medicines available from a drug store or supermarket in the United States that are prohibited in another country or even worse – considered a controlled substance. There may be serious consequences if you violate the laws in another country including removal of your medicine, fines, or jail time.

If you are concerned about the legality of your medicines in another country, contact your destination country’s embassy as well as the embassies of the countries you have layovers for to make sure your medicines are allowed.

In your carry-on or checked luggage?

Take your medications in your carry-on luggage – just in case you need your medication during your flight, have delays, or your checked luggage goes missing. However, you can take extra supplies in your checked luggage if you need to.

What if my medication requires refrigeration?

Check with your pharmacist before you leave how long your medication can stay out of the refrigerator. If your medication requires refrigeration during the flight you will need to prearrange cold storage for the flight, so contact the airline about this. Carry your medicine in a separate bag ready to hand to the flight attendant when boarding the plane.

The American Diabetes Association has worked closely with the TSA to ensure all diabetes-related supplies can be carried on board by people with diabetes once they have been properly screened by x-ray or hand inspection. The ADA offers the following tips for people traveling with diabetes:

• Arrive at least two to three hours before your flight. Ensure all your supplies, including devices, have a prescription label or you carry a note from your doctor explaining the reason you need these supplies. Place all medications in a clear, sealable bag and keep them separate from your other belongings for screening. Pack twice as much medication as you think you would need
• Carry or wear medical identification and your physician's contact information as well as a quick-acting source of glucose (such as candy, and juice) and a nutrition bar to treat low blood glucose. Learn to say "I have diabetes", or "sugar or orange juice please", in the language of the country you are visiting.
• If you use an insulin pump, inform the screening officer of it before screening begins. You will not be required to disconnect the pump; however, the pump itself may be subject to additional screening and possibly explosive trace detection sampling
• If you do not want a liquid, gel, or aerosol X-rayed or opened for additional screening, inform the screening officer before the process begins. However, be aware that medications not cleared by other additional screening means may have to be x-rayed or they may not be allowed on board.

For more information about traveling with diabetes ring TSA Cares (1-855-787-2227) Mon-Fri 9 am-9 pm EST, excluding Federal holidays; or look on their website, www.tsa.gov.

I am crossing several time zones. How do I work out when to take my medicine?

How much you need to change your medication schedule depends on how far you are traveling, and for how long. If you are just traveling from the East to the West coast of the U.S., for example, you may be able to keep to a similar schedule or just gradually adjust the timing of your dosages over a few days.

For people traveling further abroad, talk to your doctor a few months out from your holiday. A different formulation of your medication may be available, allowing you to take it less often during the day. This makes adjusting to time zones a whole lot easier and reduces the chance of missing a dose.

If you have to take medications twice, or even three times daily, keep a written list of all your medications and how often you normally take them. Use the hours to your destination rather than the time of day to work out how many doses you will need during your flight and mark off when you have taken a dose. You may need to gradually adjust the dose by an hour or so each day to make it easier to fit in with the time zone of your new destination. Have a written plan that you have discussed with your doctor as well as a daily marked pill box to keep track of your medicine. When you are jet-lagged it can be impossible to remember if you did take your medicine or not!