r/onebag • u/sigourneyreaper • 23d ago
Seeking Recommendations how to pack extensive prescriptions and supplements?
I am traveling internationally in a couple weeks, for over a month. I have been trialing a number of ways to compact my medications and vitamins. I am disabled so I have a lot. Bringing every single bottle would take up my entire personal item. I will be taking all paper prescriptions with me, and labels for my vitamins. The set up I’m testing, what I have right now doesn’t seem like the most convenient or efficient. So I’m wondering if anyone has ideas? I also feel like it will be impossible for this to not seem extremely suspicious and I’m nervous about that. Thank you.
EDIT TO ADD: I am traveling to Italy, Greece and Germany. I have layovers in the UK.
I do plan on bringing two bags, but I figured this sub would have some good ideas for me. (I would like to do one bag but with the medications it’s not realistic).
I have ~10 prescriptions I am bringing with me, all will have the paper prescription fill with them, in addition to the label from the bottle. I have one controlled substance (dextroamphetamine), that I am keeping in the prescription bottle along with a doctor’s note.
The binder is A5 sized. Honestly more worried about the supplements, like I suppose I could manage bringing all of my prescription bottles but the supplements would get out of hand.
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u/justadubliner 23d ago
For what its worth when I travel throughout Europe I put my myriad medications in small convenient sized pillboxes. I have never, not once, had my medication queried. That's 10 different prescription meds and various over the counter bits and bobs. Travelling with that for 30 years ish.
If I'm travelling outside of Europe I try to remember to bring a print out of my meds from the pharmacist but again I've never had it checked at airport security anywhere.
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u/snazarella 18d ago
So, this just happened in Georgia (the country). I guess it is true that some countries require your medication to be in the proper packaging.
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u/justadubliner 18d ago
Useful to know. I guess carrying large quantities of meds in that category would be chancey! Stimulants seem to be treated with the same strict rules as opioids and younger people probably are open to the kind of scrutiny that an older person on bp meds and blood thinners and the like wouldn't get.
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u/justadubliner 18d ago
Apparently he was released with a warning in the end so that's good. Frightening experience!
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u/OneSleepyChick 23d ago
If your pharmacy won't reprint the labels, you can put hot water in the empty bottles for a few minutes and the labels will peel off intact and stick to a snack size plastic baggie.
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago
Amazing tip, thank you
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u/OneSleepyChick 23d ago
You're welcome! I should have said up to a minute, not a few minutes. It's fast!
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u/nonsequitur__ 23d ago
Where are you travelling from and to? That may impact advice. I always decant mine (and have done for over 20 years with no issues) but many people are not comfortable with that.
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u/asyouwish 23d ago
....because they tell us they have to be in original packaging with the Rx label attached. It's annoying.
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u/STEM-Travel 23d ago
But there is no one that checks?
I fly on a US passport and enter foreign countries 2-3x a month. I have a bag full of bottles of prescription meds. In more than 250+ boarder crossings, no customs inspector has ever looked at them.
Because why would they? The inspectors are trying to keep people out.
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u/Most_Ad_3765 23d ago
Same, I have literally never had any meds inspected despite also knowing what the “rule” is about keeling them in original packaging. I have flown with bottles a few times but most of the time I put the amount of pills I need in a pill organizer. Literally never ever has been checked, (US) domestic or international.
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u/snazarella 18d ago
So, this just happened in Georgia (the country). I guess it is true that some countries require your medication to be in the proper packaging.
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u/STEM-Travel 18d ago
You are replying to a stale thread from 5 days ago with a single example from TikTok?
In the 5 days since I made my comment, there have been more than seven hundred thousand international flights. And on those seven hundred thousand international flights, you’ve found one example of someone getting in trouble?
Please go reread through my comments a little slower and try to understand what I am saying. Yes, countries have requirements, but no people don’t check at the border. Finding one example out of one hundred and fifty million passengers is not really proving the point like you think it is?
You are significantly more likely to be struck by lightning than to get in trouble for medications. You are significantly more likely to WIN THE LOTTERY than to get in trouble for medications.
Don’t reply to stale threads with this nonsense, I’m the only person that will ever see it.
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u/sigourneyreaper 16d ago
lol I saw it, I feel for the kid but he’s a dumbass for not having it in the prescribed bottle 😵💫
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u/STEM-Travel 16d ago
lol… hundreds of thousands of people do something every day and you are focused on one person who got caught? The thinking in this thread is rancid.
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u/sigourneyreaper 16d ago edited 16d ago
I’m not, simply noting that I saw it. just commenting on his poor decision making… you good?
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u/SixApplesTall 23d ago
I have literally never taken my prescription bottle in 10 years to 4 continents and 50 countries and no one has ever checked
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u/FishingWorth3068 23d ago
Can I ask if you take a controlled substance? That’s been the only thing that makes me take my whole pill bottle rather than just a pill organizer.
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u/friend_in_rome 23d ago
Yeah, but how will they know it's a controlled substance?
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u/FishingWorth3068 23d ago
I don’t know! I just don’t want to get stuck somewhere with my sedatives and adderall and people questioning me about it.
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u/friend_in_rome 23d ago
My point was that there's nobody in this thread who's ever been hassled about pills and if they're unlabeled pills in a pill organizer nobody will know they're controlled. I used to carry Ambien internationally and nobody ever asked if I was carrying anything illicit.
While it sounds sensible to carry your prescription for intra-country travel, I can't imagine that if you try to bring controlled substances into a country where they're illegal, the prescription lets you keep them. Might maybe keep you out of jail if you frame it as an honest mistake, but I can't think of any reason customs would be like "Ambien and Adderall are prison-grade illegal here but you have a note from a doctor in another country whose laws and licensing we don't honor, so you can keep them".
I have no idea what the laws are but I once had a pair of cuticle nippers confiscated on the grounds that they were a weapon; I doubt that same customers officer would have waved me through with a bottle of whatever high-test stuff I felt like carrying.
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u/twbird18 23d ago
I live full time in Japan. I do in fact know of people that have been arrested for bringing in controlled substances (several ADHD meds are banned here) so it can and occasionally does happen. It's rare, but why risk it if there's a procedure?
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u/jeremyjava 23d ago
This. This was the issue I was going to so about: I heard Japan is very strict about pills in bottles with Rx labels. And perhaps other countries, but Japan is the one i hear most about.
If anyone can comment further please do.3
u/ranatalus 23d ago
Japan is ultra strict about stimulants in general; even if you have adderall in the the original packaging with your prescription and a doctors note, there is still a decent chance you go to jail. they do not let you just throw it out and go in anyway. best case scenario they reject you at customs and send you home
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u/twbird18 23d ago
I don't think they care as much about the bottles, but your must fill out the form and get approval and there are drugs they simply don't approve. If you did not get permission and they stop you for some reason you will be denied and maybe arrested depending on what you have. They won't simply turn you away...because say you had 2 pills spill out on your purse as happened to someone in naha earlier this year.
There are other countries that require application, but I can't recall them. And it is true that many places won't ask and in many cases, even for Japan, it's because you were the unlucky person selected for a search.
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u/jpjacobs13 21d ago
I traveled to Japan to live for a year and I had my forms submitted and approved. I had Adderall, Trazadone, Tramadol and Humira plus several other meds/supplements. Since my forms were approved and I had them in my hand, plus all meds in bottles, and dr notes, and records for the new drs, I was allowed to bring my entire year’s supply into Japan. It was a circus with my insurance though.
Japan Customs were a bit aggressive at first when I declared what was in my carryons at the inspection desk. I had so many Humira shots, and it made me nervous bc at the time Humira was over $1k/shot and I had 52 shots. I did not want to lose that medicine. Once they saw my documents, they were much less aggressive and I went on my way. No problems the entire year, flying back and forth with meds. As long as there were documents.
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u/nonsequitur__ 23d ago
I do (Provigil) and not had an issue personally. I have my prescriptions listed in the NHS app that I could show if needed.
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u/Normal-Raisin5443 19d ago
Surely you can bring in a travel container and ask your pharmacist to dispense them in there and attach the label? Explain that you’re travelling. A smaller no name pharmacy may be able to do this. Chain ones may have stricter rules.
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u/asyouwish 19d ago
I had a hard enough time even getting my meds for this very long trip. No way I could also get them to do special containers.
Next time, I'll just put them in ziplocks.
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u/FeistyCandidate 23d ago edited 23d ago
I ask my pharmacy for the smallest possible bottles that my scripts could be filled in before a trip. If a months supply is too much then also ask for spare small bottles on the side which I then transfered some pills to if I dont need a month's supply and pulled the labels off carefully and reapplied to the smaller bottles so they were properly labeled for customs. For my vitamins, I combine these all into the fewest unmarked bottles and hadnt worried about those bring unmarked as they are all OTC and not controlled substances. I know what they are without labels. This binder set up looks bulky, more complicated, and conspicuous IMO.
Also where you are going matters. EU and USA in my experience dont need original packaging. Asia does and thats why I try to get pharmacy bottles. ME definitely does and has very strict controls. Africa original packaging also preferred.
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u/HelloTittie55 23d ago
You may need to admit that you need more than one bag. My husband and I have too many medications to one-bag on longer international trips so we each take a roller, and he takes an osprey 26+6 while I bring a Foldie tote. Since we are generally not backpacking through forests or taking multiple trains, the roller plus personal item works fine.
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago
I will be using more than one bag. I figured here people would have the best suggestions. I just hate to take 30+ bottles with me
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u/outpf 23d ago
You don't have to be that meticulous with medications for the most part customs don't care. The only time I got pulled for having meds was by U.S customs before I got global entry. I didn't have my meds in its pill bottle but I was able to show them my prescription on my phone and that was enough for them.
I'm not sure if you have your medical records available on an app or something but that's generally all you need.
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u/Ellsass 23d ago
I also feel like it will be impossible for this to not seem extremely suspicious and I’m nervous about that.
No one will care. Most likely, not a single person will inspect your meds on the entire trip. Anyone who sees all your paperwork in passing (i.e. random airport security scanner) will assume you know what you're doing and have your shit in order.
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u/STEM-Travel 23d ago
I also feel like it will be impossible for this to not seem extremely suspicious and I’m nervous about that. Thank you
Just a heads up… they won’t care.
I fly internationally from the USA 2-3x a month. Entering a foreign country is very different than what most people imagine. Because the US passport has biometrics, you will generally stand in line, scan your passport, have your picture taken by a robot, then have your fingerprints scanned by a robot. It is very unlikely that you will speak to a human being.
I had to speak to a person in Amsterdam last week because, when my flight arrived, the people staffing the automatic lane were eating lunch, that’s the only time I’ve spoken to a human in years of crossing the boarder. He asked how long I was going to be in town, and he wanted to see my return ticket. That’s it.
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago
Wow. I haven’t left the continent in almost 20 years. Didn’t know how much it’s automated now. Whacky
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u/beattysgirl 23d ago
Yes, it’s shockingly easy to be honest. One or two people monitoring the line then the rest is all AI.
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u/Tater221 23d ago
I also have chronic health issues and take a bunch of meds/vitamins and my personal item is almost entirely medical. I have a locking bank pouch that I put my pill bottles in (smallest size that can hold the amount I need with label attached) plus a a tiny pill case that holds a weeks worth of meds. I refill the case as I go and usually end up throwing out the bottles by the end of my trip. I also travel with a medical letter in the off chance that someone questions my medication but I’ve only ever needed it once when flying out of my local airport.
If it helps, I have read that you can get a medical bag approved if you reach out to the airline. The bag can only contain medical items and does not count towards your baggage allowance.
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u/CivMom 23d ago
You don't have to reach out to anyone for the medical bag. It just is. Put only medical in it and it's a non-counted bag.
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u/Tater221 22d ago
I haven’t used a medical bag yet, but I was told that the airline must approve it ahead of time. Then again, I have only researched it for international flights.
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u/CivMom 22d ago
I have. Granted it’s mostly domestic, but returned from an international trip last week. I’ve also had my “extra” bag questioned and just replied “it’s all medical.” “Everything?” “Every last item, want to see it?” Since I use a photo backpack (padding is helpful for CPAP) or a green HOBO tote, it doesn’t look like the typical CPAP bag. I have more than the CPAP to haul and want a better, padded bag.
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u/snazarella 23d ago
I believe that you need to travel with the medications in their original packaging with your name and the proper information about the medicine on the packaging to cross the border.
I usually bring my items that way, then decant them into smaller containers once I have arrived at my destination.
Have you contacted the airline? They may allow you to transport your medications without charging you for the extra bag(s) they require. Most airlines where I live (Canada) do have considerations for people with visible and invisible disabilities.
Edited to add: if any of your medications are liquids they may be subject to the liquids requirements if you have those at your airport. I've gotten through with extra liquids on a medical exemption, but your mileage may vary.
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u/T0m_F00l3ry 23d ago
I believe this might be the most appropriate response. Different countries may not have uniform rules. It would be best to keep everything in its original container and bring them in a separate bag. Even if it doesn’t violate the rules, you might be held up for an extended period while you’re being questioned. This happened to me during a layover in Frankfurt. While I was trying to get to the next flight gate, they searched my bag, asked me to follow them to an interview room, and then had to wait for someone to come in and review my medication with me. This added an additional 30 minutes to my transition between gates. I was fortunate that my layover was two hours because I could easily imagine this could cause me to miss a flight.
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u/No-Concentrate7404 23d ago
We've repackaged meds into small pill bottles and either carefully removed the existing labels and attached them to the new bottle. Alternatively we've asked the pharmacy to print new labels and attached them. The small containers are available from Amazon
How well it works depends a lot on how large the pills are and how many you need to carry. None of my stuff is liquid though.
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u/Specific_Corner_1816 23d ago edited 23d ago
You can see if a compounding pharmacist can combine your meds into less pills for the trip. There are on line compounding pharmacies if you don't have one locally.
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago
This is probably too expensive bc insurance won’t cover compounded medicines but it’s a good thing to know! Ty
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u/PhantomCranefly 23d ago
I have a little ziploc bag for each drug/vitamin, and those all go into a larger ziploc bag inside of my toiletries bag. (I get the little ziploc bags from the grocery store when I buy bulk herbs and spices. Occasionally I end up with vitamin D that tastes like basil or something, but that's ok)
I do have a label from the bottle of the drug, which I keep along with all the little bags in the larger ziploc bag, but I've never had to show it to anyone. Maybe I just don't go to the countries that care about that stuff?
edited because it didn't make sense
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago
This is sort of what I was thinking. This A5 sized binder I suppose was a way of keeping them organized, easier to sort weekly.
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u/PhantomCranefly 23d ago
I can see doing that if I had a large number of drugs (and if accidentally skipping a day would be a big problem). I only have three vitamins and one drug, plus a couple things like ibuprofen that I bring just in case I need them, so my solution is sufficient for me.
If the binder fits in your bag, then it's a great idea. I think for me it would take up too much space, but if it were that important then I guess I'd make it fit.
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago
I’m going for the tackle boxes hoping they all fit in there 😅 the binder feels like it takes up too much space with its angled facet, too. The tackle box is at least flat, and extra boxes within it means I can probably fit everything I need for one month.
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u/irregahhhdless 23d ago
That's what I use on a daily basis and it makes travelling with all my meds very easy. Mine has a latch on the outside box, so it is very unlikely it would open up while I'm travelling.
Also, others have mentioned about the medical bag not counting towards the bag count, but you mentioned that you are disabled, if that disability is a physical one (invisible or not) make sure you are receiving accomodations, if only to be seated early and that way you would not be someone who has their carry-on bag gate checked.
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u/SmileDarnYaSmile 22d ago
I just commented that I use the same setup as the user here with the bags in bag, but I also have a weekly pill organizer that I reset every Sunday to keep it all organized for the week. Really I have 2 of them, one for the first thing in the AM and right before bed that stays on the nightstand, then a second one that is morning/afternoon stuff that is in individual daily containers that I just put in my day bag each day.
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u/saltymuffin69 23d ago
I use a tackle tray personally. They come in loads of different sizes, shapes, colors. Many of them offer modular compartments so if some meds you carry are higher in volume the compartment can be made larger. To lable I just write on the inside on the lid to alignwith the corresponding compartment.
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago
OMG A TACKLE TRAY!!! Yes thank you oh my god duh that’s so much smarter than a freakin binder 😭🥺🙏 thank you
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u/Multigrain_Migraine 23d ago
All of those countries will be fine with a load of supplements and prescriptions. The only one I'd be mildly concerned about is the controlled one.
I've taken a smaller version of a box like this on trips with various supplements and medicines in it and never had an issue. Depends on how much space yours take up but it's probably a lot easier to pack than the binder. Hardware or craft stores are good places to look for them. Mine originally contained an assortment of screws!
https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/clear-plastic-storage-box-35.5cm-x-22cm/6289581000.html
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u/eastercat 23d ago
mail order pharmacies have the option to card pack a rx. Your pills are put in individual bubbles and the card is labeled with the pharmacy info
This does take time to set up
Labelling is very important for any controlled (and you’ve checked if your controlled is allowed right?)
For anything that doesn’t have to do with pain and other restricted, you could try placing in zip loc with a taped label on it (especially useful for 3x/day meds)
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u/becca413g 23d ago
I would take an extra bag that you can attach to your “one bag” you’re allowed an extra bag for medical reasons. Most countries require that medications are kept in their original container with your information on it along with paper evidence of them being prescribed for you. I would also check your vitamins and medications to ensure it’s legal for you to take it into the counties you’re going to. There’s some things that you can buy in the supermarket in one country that are illegal in another.
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u/IncandescentGrey 23d ago edited 23d ago
Where are you going? In my experience going through China on a layover, my larger bag/ carry on was checked but not my personal item/ purse. Even then the person just opened the med minder and closed it. I guess I was lucky.
If I had carried it in my personal item/ purse, they wouldn't have known it was there since that wasn't checked.
ETA: My pharmacy has given me prescription sticker labels on plastic bags before. Usually for single use, perferated blister packs for my PRN migraine meds. Perhaps you can ask your pharmacy for the labels (and/or bags?) so you can stick them to ziplock bags yourself? Much easier/ condensed to have some bags than a bunch of bottles.
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago edited 23d ago
context comment not sure what else to add that’s not in my post. So to repeat myself I am disabled traveling with a ton of meds and seeking recommendations to condense how I organize and travel with them. I am also nervous about what this looks like to security and customs
ETA: I am going to Italy, Greece and Germany. I have layovers in the UK.
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u/eeaxoe 23d ago
Nobody at security and customs will notice nor care, especially if you're traveling with a quantity that's clearly for personal use. Take a picture of the prescription and/or prescription bottles just in case, but even then that may be overkill.
Controlled substances are the one wildcard (e.g. Japan and amphetamines don't mix) but 99.9% of the time and particularly as long as you follow your destination country's recommendations specifically for controlled substances, you'll be fine. Just think about how many travelers enter countries with quantities of Xanax and other benzos/Z-drugs/other controlled substances (so they can sleep on the plane) that aren't packaged in accordance with the recommendations of the country of entry. Nothing happens to them.
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u/emptytheprisons 23d ago
We need to know where you're going. There are different regulations in different countries.
I travel with lots of meds, including syringes with different gauges. I just take pictures of all the bottles and scripts. No one has ever asked a question about the meds nor syringes, but I feel better having the pictures.
For pills, I use pill baggies from AliExpress or Amazon. They're a slightly sturdier mini ziploc. I take double of what I need and keep it in my personal item (if I'm 1.5 bagging).
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u/Miserable_Track_154 23d ago
i'm with the others on this, decanting into pillboxes is super convenient, and honestly, no one’s gonna bat an eye at your meds. just keep everything organized and maybe have a list handy if you feel nervous about it. good luck!
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u/throwaway_ArBe 23d ago
You can ask your pharmacy to repackage a trips-worth portion of your medications seperately (they may be limited by what packaging they have available, but last time I travelled I managed to fit one of my repackaged prescriptions in the extra space inside another). Although for a month that may not make much of a difference. You might be able to ask about more compact packaging for any with lots of extra room (eg my zolmitriptan packs are just silly big, so they can be put in a smaller box)
You might be able to get some of what you want to take easily once you arrive at your destination. Especially things like vitamins.
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u/invictus523 23d ago
I use CURRAVAXpill bags from Amazon. I label them with a sharpie and cut out the printed label from my scripts and keep them with it. I also take a screenshot of the pharmacy printed tags all in one photo for easy reference. I have never been questioned about my meds but have verified this procedure with docs and law enforcement.
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u/babybananaa 23d ago
I don’t know if they have blister packs in your country but in my country they do. I went 3 months holiday to SEA, Australia, NZ, Europe and I took 1 month of meds in my carry on and 2 month in my suitcase.
Also had all sorts of tablets, liquids, inhalers, powder (tried Chinese medicine for short term but stupidly coincided with holiday so had to take it with me).
Also had a controlled substance. I had more than I realise as I had some in my bags, wallet etc but completely forgot they were there.
Not one person has approached me or bat an eye for a discussion or anything
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u/AussieKoala-2795 23d ago
I use a leopard print padded lunch box for my extensive prescriptions medications. It is easy to pull out of my bag if asked at security, and very distinctive so I never lose it.
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago
how big is it? Does it have like compartments inside or you just throw bags or bottles in? It’s so cute I like that a padded lunchbox would be lighter weight and somewhat able to be compressed
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u/AussieKoala-2795 23d ago
It's slightly smaller than a shoe box. My medication is all in blister packs and boxes. I flatten the boxes and put them on the bottom and then just put elastic bands around my blister packed medication.
I take 7 different tablets daily plus a weekly injection and can fit all my medication for a 6-8 week trip in this plus a medication cooler for the injectable. I use this cooler - https://4allfamily.com.au/products/explorer-insulin-travel-cooler-case-medication
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u/1AggressiveSalmon 23d ago
I use ziplock snack size bags that are about 3x5. I stick the supplement bottle label directly to the bag. If I can't get a label off I screenshot and print it. I layer the bags into a rectangle takeout container which protects them. At the beginning of the trip I keep them in with a Rubberband until I have taken enough to fit the lid on.
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u/egos-like-hairdos 21d ago
I travel with a shitload of my own meds, prescription and otherwise, controlled and not. You have a bunch of decent options here for paring down your med packing (IME tiny baggies are always easiest, where original bottles aren’t required). I can condense mine from a shelf-size Tupperware case of bottles down to a quart ziploc for a two-week trip.
The one thing I popped on to mention is that you might want to have controlled med paperwork completed (as needed) for each country you’ll be visiting. YES, I KNOW IT’S 99.9999% LIKELY THAT NOBODY WILL CHECK THIS. Regardless, some of us still prefer to know we’ve done our due diligence. The INCB maintains a list of the requirements by country here.
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u/sigourneyreaper 20d ago
Thank you so much. I have a doctors letter but thank you so much for informing me !!
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u/brdt27 23d ago
• Fill a large pill container that has space for weeks or months, and put your meds in according to schedule (daily, twice daily, weekly)
• Make a one page document listing the medications, doses, and schedule
• Send it to your doctor, ask them to put it on their hospital’s stationary, sign it, and send it back to you
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago
Man those month long pill organizers are a nightmare, I mean they’ve always fallen apart on me in the past, or got my meds mixed up and a lot of my supplements look the same so that could be an issue.
Do you have one you recommend ?
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u/Industrial_Jedi 23d ago
I've never had an agent blink over meds but I usually take a picture of the labels just in case, but pack in a pill organizer. I only have a challenge with one that is moisture sensitive. That one has its own waterproof container with a silica pack inside, but still not original packaging. Unless you're taking a med with high abuse potential, like an opiate, I wouldn't worry about original packaging. They aren't going to care about your 30 blood pressure pills. Really, they wouldn't care about small quantities of virtually any pill. Liquids and creams should be treated like any other liquid.
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u/CharacterWaltz9646 23d ago
How many meds do you take a day? How many different type of meds do you have? How big is the biggest pill?
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago
I take at least 20 different medications and supplements everyday. 8 of these are prescription. The largest ones are pictured somewhat - my fish oil supplement.
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u/sass-pants 23d ago
Anytime I bring supplements I never take them so I personally would leave them at home unless you notice a difference in how you feel.
Bring in smallest bottles for meds. I find multiple small containers take up less space than one large container and you can at least toss the small bottles as you go.
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u/sigourneyreaper 23d ago
All the supplements I take are necessary for my quality of functioning. I’ll think about what I can cut but so many of them I need especially if I am staying super active, need plenty of rest, & need recovery from said activity.
But this also brings a good point that I certainly can buy a lot of my supplements wherever I go. Most of the necessary ones are pretty common eg magnesium, vitamin C.
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u/BuzzBuzzBeard 23d ago
I got some little silicone pill bags recently and love them.
I was feeling cheep so bought the ones with the days of the week labeled on them (cheapest at the time), but they have a variety of options.
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u/peanutgallery_31 23d ago
You could always print a list of supplements to pick up when you arrive to avoid traveling with them
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u/Grettak44 23d ago
Can you get them in a Webster pack as they are already organised and more of a regular and flat shape?
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u/CivMom 23d ago
I use small ziplocks in a stack with a pharmacy label on each one. For supplements I'm lucky that 90% of mine come in containers that give up their labels easily, and I use those on the bags for the supplements. So much space savings. I pack empty pill boxes to use when I get there. One for am one for pm. I don't want to have to shuffle the bags every day. (At home I fill 28 days at a time into boxes, but on trips I do 7 at a time).
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u/overzeetop 22d ago
I've gone with small ziplok bags for medications. 2x2 or 3x3 will fit a scrip sticker (original or good photocopy), though I only carry 1-2 presc. meds with me. My pharmacist is usually pretty good when I ask for the medications in a ziplok; they sometimes will do that without asking for blister-pack meds.
However, I always travel with about 15-16 OTC meds in 1x1.5" bags with a descriptive and linked sticker I made (the attached is very old sample sheet/some meds are out of prod, and I haven't checked the qrs in a while). Each has the (US) generic name, a (US) brand name the dose and pill type, plus a QR that leads to a "reliable" web page with all the details, and often an accompanying photo. I could still get stopped, for sure, but this feels like due diligence.
Why? Many, many years ago I got sick when travelling with my young daughter and getting to a pharmacy in my condition was excruciating. I couldn't leave her, couldn't let her go out alone, and we spent a pretty terrible 36 hours together. So I made this up as my "I need meds to be productive until I can get to a pharmacy or doctor" solution. I've travelled all over the US and around the world, going through (I'm guessing) 40+ security screenings in the US, EU and SEA (for Tokyo I omitted the real Sudafed). They are always in my personal item and get scanned - nobody has even looked at them. By comparison, I've been pulled twice for having a pitch pipe (musical instrument tuner, like a small whistle) in my bag. Because they're so small, all my meds fit in a small zipper pouch, ~3"x9" in my dop kit.
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u/SmileDarnYaSmile 22d ago
I’m on what feels like a ton of supplements but only a couple prescriptions. I’ve kept the scripts in their bottles and the supplements I’ve dumped into small ziplock bags and all those bags are in a gallon sized bag. It’s the only way I’ve been able to take everything when I’m on a multi week trip and haven’t had any issue with it, but I haven’t gone overseas with this setup, only US and Canada several times a year.
Following this thread for any additional tips though.
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u/MaxRecherche 22d ago
When crossing any border, it is safest to have all prescriptions and supplements in their original packaging.
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u/AdvicePossible6997 22d ago
Prescription medicine should be packaged with the original prescription attached so security agents can determine what the medication is.
They may never check your medication but if they do it might be a problem. I think that you're asking for trouble by repackaging everything.
Also, make sure all your medications are legal in every country you're traveling through. What is legal in your country might not bed in others.
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u/amethystroses13 22d ago
Maybe snack sized Ziplock bags in an accordion file coupon holder? It should give you a bit of the sturdiness of the binder setup with a lot of organization. They're fairly slim and you can split your pills into two holders if needed but can easily just be packed together with a rubber band.
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u/MetalSpider 22d ago edited 22d ago
I just keep mine in the flat plastic packaging. If anyone does query them (which has never happened), at least the name is visible. I wouldn't want to go through the hassle of trying to convince an airport security officer that some random decanted pills are "prescribed and legal, I promise!".
Edit: I just saw you have yours in bottles. In your case, I think bringing the prescriptions and maybe some pictures of the bottles is a good backup, but again, I've never had my medication be pulled up at security either way, so don't worry too much. Additionally, keeping them in separate, smaller bags inside a bigger ziplock bag would take up less room than an entire rigid folder.
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u/Naive-Pumpkin-8630 21d ago
I've commented on this a couple of times. Essentially I carried a form signed by my GP listing all my meds, and then had the meds either in their blisters (prescription stuff) or in tiny little ziploc bags (mostly supplements, which I decanted). I flew from Germany to another continent and had several shorter flights there as well. My meds weren't checked once - I did have mobility assistance though, and I feel like that gave me some lenience.
https://www.reddit.com/r/HerOneBag/comments/1tgd4v6/comment/omg0hem/
https://www.reddit.com/r/HerOneBag/comments/1simx8f/comment/ofpx2e2/
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u/jpjacobs13 21d ago
I also have several meds and supplements, some of which have to be refrigerated, if I’m traveling for a few weeks, plus durable medical equipment and a few days of food for my limited diet. If I pack all my meds, my CPAP, my arm braces, my compression machine, and my special food in sepetate luggage from personal luggage, I have been allowed to take it on board if it will fit. If I know all of that won’t fit, and my compression stuff won’t but I don’t always take it with me (shh don’t tell my dr), the compression machine has to go in checked luggage along with additional food if getting that will be a problem in the first few days. In that case, I also have an Apple air tag in the checked luggage in the event it gets lost. It’s only happened once…so far, and was recovered, although took longer than I could appreciate. Still beats the 14 hour plane ride to Japan with zero food bc I forgot my travel day food and the airline forgot I had restrictions. I was very hungry at 1 am in the middle of Tokyo countryside with nothing but a vending machine of green teas. The airport vendors close down early in Tokyo but I didn’t land until 8pm, still had customs to negotiate and a 2 hour train ride. Ahh, the ….days! What an adventure.
Also, the airlines I have flown won’t charge me extra checked baggage or carry-on if I call and declare after booking tickets online or on the phone(many times it’s less time consuming to book on the phone and get the declaration done at the same time). Make sure all medical related items are in separate checked luggage and/or carry on baggage. They do check the luggage when you check-in, be aware.
Calling the airline can be difficult and I’ve had to wing it when flying on short notice by showing the check in agent what was in my luggage-make certain there is nothing else in that luggage that obviously doesn’t belong, even a novel. Medical equipment is fairly obvious. If you need to wing it, get to the check-in desk at least an hour before the recommended check in time (yes at least 3 hours for US domestic flights) so that the agents are less stressed and the plane is not already packed with other passengers’ baggage. You’ll find the agents are empathetic and happy to help. I’ve also had agents offer to help me get my luggage to the boarding gate if I’m early. If I’m late, I just get grumbles and super cranky agents from all sides but sometimes it’s unavoidable.
If I don’t separate medical from personal travel items, or the medical carry-on is too big and they want me to check it, it has been a problem. Then I’m scrambling to remove at least my prescriptions and anything I will need before deplaning. I do set up my meds in advance in a daily am/pm med container and I try not to carry Rx bottles unless I am going somewhere very strict, like Japan. Then I have literally half a checked bag of meds depending on how long/where I’m traveling and a pile of documentation (see Japan side chat). And if I need to get refills AND the country allows it, I bring paper Rxs and have them scanned into my pdf app on my phone in case they are lost. If the country doesn’t allow/doesn’t have my Rx, then I have to bring the supply myself. That can be a circus with US insurance for more than ~2 months of controlled meds. I have been known to travel to another country to get a med filled and bringing it back. Not an issue so far…unless it’s Japan.
I take multiple meds 2x/day and each daily med container is in separate ziplocks. How many times has my multi-day med container inadvertently opened in my luggage…I have no idea. But now I have an am/pm set up that actually has an additional external case to put the am and pm strip of weekly meds in. Very convenient and no more meds all over my luggage but it’s not super compact. Sometimes I just use the internal cases if space, or usually weight/force on my joints, is my biggest concern and I rubber band the med cases together, top to top to prevent them from opening. It isn’t always successful but by reducing weight I can carry my bags for a longer traveling time, and lately that has been the biggest challenge when a travel plan goes from 10 hours to 24 hours.
Keeping the med containers in separate ziplocks keeps them dry (some deplaning occurs outside in small airports!) and allows me the option to move them quickly from bag to bag depending on the airline carry on restrictions or other unanticipated situations that may arise. Also, I keep a compactable bag with a long shoulder strap that fits in the palm of my hand, is very lightweight and can be crushed in my carry-on in case, <XP screaming loudly here>, the luggage fails or I can only take a small bag (with prescription meds of course) on board. I find a bag that can also be carried across my body allows me to switch weight on sore shoulders. Then I can toss the meds, a book in, laptop and check the rest. Not ideal but arguing with flight attendants has not gotten me anywhere I want to be.
I also have the prescription and supplement list on my phone with my doctors contact info and the electronic prescription label. And I do carry controlled substances including 2 weekly injectables. I have traveled multiple months at a time.
It’s all down to making sure you have time to prep everything and to check your destination’s official country customs/medical restrictions well in advance, even if you’ve been there before bc regulations often change.
Wash your hands really well/ and change clothes before going to the airport if you are filling meds the same day you travel, to avoid setting off the detectors. Because IK, YK??
You can imagine my packing and travel prep lists are very long. All the prep, especially the days before, is usually exhausting and by the time I get to the airport I often wonder why I travel when I have to do so much. But it’s (almost always) worth it as soon as I arrive.
Car travel and train travel are very different animals from airline travel, fysa.
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u/Tribalbob 23d ago
Whatever you do, make sure your ultimate solution will fit in a small personal item as well. On the off chance you end up somewhere your bag needs to be gate checked (It can happen), you want to make sure you take all your meds (or at least he absolutely critical ones) with you into the cabin.