Can I Bring Prescription Medication on a Plane?
Yes, you can bring your prescription medication with you on a plane, and you can have it with you in either your checked baggage or your carry-on baggage. There are some general guidelines you should be aware of though; you Rx medication should be in its original packaging and this means whatever packaging (vial, box etc.) that has the pharmacy’s label on it indicating the type of medication on it as well as your name as the intended recipient for whom the medication was dispensed. This does not apply to OTC medications, which can be carried in any type of container. If you are traveling with ibuprofen for pain relief, for example, you can put your pills into a Ziploc bag if you like
So there is your basic answer to can I bring prescription medication on a plane. You can, but not every type of medication may be admitted into any country. This is particularly true for medications that are controlled substances like sedatives, tranquilizers, or narcotic pain relievers. An example of one of those would be Toradol. It may be what you need for extra strength pain relief medication, but you may find yourself with a bit of headache if you try to enter certain countries with it. Here is a list of medicines that don’t go well with flying.
So providing a one-size-fits-all reply to can you take prescription medication on a plane isn’t so simple. The best piece of advice if you have concerns about flying with Rx medication is to speak to your airline’s customer service desk. They will have resources to reference that will explain if it might be a problem entering your destination country with a specific prescription drug.
Laws for Liquids
There will be times you’ll need to bring medication on a plane, and most of the time it won’t be an issue. That may only be true for pills, tablets, or injections though, because liquids are a different story. The same reason you can’t get on most planes with anything more than 100ml of any liquid in either type of baggage for safety concerns applies here too. The volume is different though, and with a medication you will be allowed to bring anywhere up to 3.4 fluid ounces of the medication onto the plane. This will apply for MOST airlines and for domestic flights within the US.
The last thing to consider around can I bring prescription medication on a plane is that for international flights you will want to do your own research about travelling internationally with liquid medication, and the same advice above will apply here too; contact the airline and ask what information they can provide for you. If they can’t answer the question, and email to the country’s consulate might be an idea.
Can I bring prescription medication on a plane? You can, but not every medication and an unlimited quantity may be possible.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
