Medication

[candoo]

I am shortly going on an extended holiday to Spain and then on to the USA. I am on a lot of medication for pain, depression and various other problems

Some of them are quite nasty and easy to overdose on, although all can be prescribed in the two countries. I am taking 8 weeks worth which would almost fill a small suitcase by themselves, I'm curious as to the best way of packing them.

Should I declare them? Would my bag be liable to search if packed in hold luggage and an x-Ray picks up large numbers of tablets? Should I take a separate carry on bag? Should I list my prescribed medications, and associated ailment and attach this to them?

Any help appreciated!

[cavortingcheetah]

Pack them in a plastic click seal top box and stick them in your carry on bag. Fold up and take with you one cardboard package and insert slip for each specific medication. Take enough for an extra week. Get your doctor or pharmacist to give you a copy of your prescription and an invoice. If it's all legitimate then you have nothing to declare.

[PAXboy]

Don't forget to pack 48 hours worth of medication - and a copy of the prescription in your handcase - in case you never see your suitcase again!

[cavortingcheetah]

It is my opinion and practice that if, your medicine would be difficult to replace where you are going, you'd best hand bag the lot of it. If you stick your medicine in your check in baggage and it goes missing, you'll need at least a doctor's appointment and perhaps a specialist's as well, just to get your medicine replaced at a US pharmacy. ( No US pharmacist will accept a UK prescription.) Such an exercise will be time consuming, expensive and boring for you. Take all the stuff with you in your carry on and a bit more besides in case of you either want to or have to stay there a few days longer than intended.

[radeng]

Having once had the problem of having to stay longer in the US than anticipated, (it cost the company some $600 for medication plus another $200 for the doctor to see me and write a prescription) I STRONGLY recommend following cavortingcheetah's advice and carry it in hand baggage. Additionally, get a letter from your doctor listing your medications - UK Customs can be a bit difficult at times.

I have only once been through Bangkok, on the way to Sydney. I was interrogated at length regarding the insulin.

"Why are you carrying insulin?"
"Because I am diabetic and need to take two injections a day"
"Why have you got so much?"
"Because I will be away for four weeks"
"Do you have a letter from your doctor?"
"Yes".

He then read the letter, took the passport number and flight details and still seemed worried about it.......Why they worry about insulin there, I know not.

[ExXB]

Radeng, just curious. Was the insulin in Pens, or in small bottles with associated syringes and needles?

I've transmitted BKK a number of times with Pens (two types) and have never been questioned there.

In fact I have never been asked to produce my prescription anywhere. It probably wouldn't be much use to someone who doesn't understand French. It does look very official though!

Take it with you, you will never regret doing that.

[radeng]

ExXB

In capsules for pens.

Funny thing is that you are not supposed to take steroids into Australia, so I declared them, and all they asked "Are these for you to take?" Being told "Yes", was waved through......

Candoo, take it all in hand baggage!

[ExXB]

OK, Thanks

My insulins are in disposable, not refillable, pens. I travel with gel cooling wallets which could hide them ??? Or, not :confused:

[candoo]

Thanks all, think on balance will take as carry on.

[1DC]

Mrs 1DC and I travel a fair bit, she is diabetic and we both take a fair bit of medication. sometimes we are away for up to three months so the medication bag is quite large. We always carry everything in hand luggage, the insulin in disposable pens goes in up to 5 insulated wallets.The medicines are in a see through zip bag. we carry our prescriptions and a letter from Mrs 1DC's Doctor to confirm she is diabetic. We have never had to show the letter or prescriptions and in fact don't even bother to declare the medication now because we were always told it was OK..We do split the insulin between our two carry on bags but i usually carry the medicine, i suppose it would be more sensible to split that as well...