traveling with prescription medicine

[davemchine]

I keep a small pill container in my pocket with about three different prescription medications. Someone saw me using this recently and told me it is illegal to carry prescription medications outside of their marked bottles. Can anyone tell me if this is true and if so what the penalty could be? The only situation I can imagine being "caught" would be at the airport. To be clear all of my prescriptions are up-to-date and legal.

[ztirffritz]

There probably is some obscure law, but I'd think that it would only come into play if the police were desperate for some reason to hold you in detention, or if someone other than you took the pills and ODed.

[davester]

That only applies in some states, and only applies to controlled substances, which are specific drugs that stimulate or depress the nervous system. It does not apply to all prescription medicines.

[Ken Sp.]

Maybe a picture of the bottle and the prescription on your phone would help if confronted.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

Ken Sp. wrote:
Maybe a picture of the bottle and the prescription on your phone would help if confronted.

I like this idea. Maybe keep a copy/photo of the prescription labels in the bottle with the pills in case your iPhone battery runs down and you don't want to plug it into a hacked charger.

[cbelt3]

Applies in some states, when crossing international borders, and quite possibly TSA at the airport. Basically any excuse in the War On Droogs to seize property without recourse.

When I travel out of state I carry the prescription bottles. I do have a smaller bottle that I put a week's supply into, and then wrap the sticker around from the 90 day bottle.

[Black]

cbelt3 wrote:
Applies in some states, when crossing international borders, and quite possibly TSA at the airport. Basically any excuse in the War On Droogs to seize property without recourse.

When I travel out of state I carry the prescription bottles. I do have a smaller bottle that I put a week's supply into, and then wrap the sticker around from the 90 day bottle.

TSA is not particularly interested in drugs.
I would also recommend carrying a recent prescription bottle for anything that would be considered a "narcotic."

[dmann]

I keep a small pillbox filled with Advil, Tylenol PM, migraine meds and some allergy meds. Have never been stopped by TSA. They don't even blink at my asthma inhaler.

DM

[cbelt3]

TSA:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/...medication

"Passengers are allowed to bring medications in pill or other solid form through security screening checkpoints in unlimited amounts, as long as they are screened. TSA does not require passengers to have medications in prescription bottles, but states have individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription medication with which passengers need to comply.
"

Customs and Border Patrol:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/...ygen-tanks

"If your medications or devices are not in their original containers, you must have a copy of your prescription with you or a letter from your doctor. A valid prescription or doctors note is required on all medication entering the U.S.
"

[dmann]

cbelt3 wrote:
TSA:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/...medication

"Passengers are allowed to bring medications in pill or other solid form through security screening checkpoints in unlimited amounts, as long as they are screened. TSA does not require passengers to have medications in prescription bottles, but states have individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription medication with which passengers need to comply.
"

Customs and Border Patrol:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/...ygen-tanks

"If your medications or devices are not in their original containers, you must have a copy of your prescription with you or a letter from your doctor. A valid prescription or doctors note is required on all medication entering the U.S.
"

As always, YMMV. I have not been questioned by international customs at all over the past 3 years (two trips into and out of Europe, two trips into and out of Canada.) Of course, not worth the hassle of worrying about it, so best to err on the side of caution.

DM