AmyB81

I've been reading up on Greece and a common caution I'm seeing is that they are very strict on drugs coming in. The advise is to have a doctors note to go with your prescription medication. My question is regarding Over the Counter / Non-Prescription, specifically Excedrin Tension Headache / Acetaminophen. While I'm sure I could get some from a chemist upon arrival I prefer to travel with a small bottle since one of my triggers is egg yolks.

Should I be concerned that they will be confiscated upon arrival and plan to stop in at a chemist when I get into Athens? This would be the first stop on a 6 week trip.

Thanks!

TommieG

Acetaminophen (or Paracetamol as it is called in Europe) is freely available in Europe and Greece. Can't imagine there being any problem having a small bottle in you carry on. Don't know though if the gelcaps are considered fluids. Maybe you could take the regular caplets?

TommieG

If you want paracetamol with caffiene, one brand name in Greece is Panadol Extra. But there are also lots of generic brands.

Heimdall

No, you don't have to worry about Excedrin Tension Headache, which is acetaminophen and caffeine. I take generic brands of acetaminophen with me on every trip to Greece. The only OTC medications I've heard about that Greece doesn't allow are those containing codeine, but you can't get that in the US without a prescription anyway (you can in the UK).

BTW, I've never seen anyone stopped or luggage being inspected by customs at Athens Airport. Unless you have something to declare you just grab your bags and walk through the green door, and if customs officials are around they are very much in the background.

AmyB81

Thanks for the clarification as well as the local term to get a comparable should I need extra or run into a problem.

Heimdall

You may want to look for generics that have the same ingredients, which are a lot cheaper than brand names like Tylenol and Excedrin. BTW, I am prescribed Fioricet for tension headaches. Fioricet also contains acetaminophen and caffeine, plus another ingredient that makes it prescription-only.

DebitNM

Just a suggestion - I would not pack ANY meds that I NEED in checked in luggage. Those kind of meds go in my carry-on. I would not risk delay or loss or theft of important meds, even if they are OTC. I would remove something from carry on if room was issue, they are that important to me