Well, I am all packed. My prescriptions are all sorted into those daily compartment thingies. Someone just told me that they have to be in the prescription bottles. Is that true?

Hi Going, that has been an ongoing debate here on Fodors for a long time.

My Dr., who was a world traveler, said to always keep your prescriptions in there original contatiner.

Many here say they never have and they have never had a problem.

I suppose my thinking is that that is rather like not having auto insurance because you have never had a car accident.

Personally if I was travelling with a prescription I would have the meds in their original contatiner. Then I would put them in the daily compartment box after I arrived at my destination. And then put any that were left over back in their original container before flying home.

Best wishes.

I don't know for sure whether they are right but I always!!! travel with my prescriptions in their original vials.

My thinking is that there is less likelihood of someone giving you a hassle and I depend daily on my medication. I even split it into 2 original containers - 1 for my purse and the other for carry-on.

I guess it depends on how critical your meds are.

DH & I use the organizers and have never had a problem with airline security or customs.

Belle

I believe it is more important for "controled substances" i.e., if you use a narcotic pain killer or the like.

I'm a pharmacist..and between the 2 of us it takes me 15 minutes a week to fill our daily pill containers. I have never in 45 years of traveling to Europe been stopped either in the US or at customs in Europe and questioned about anything . We've never ,ever been stopped for any reason in Europe after passing passport control! And coming home everything is finished!

I do have copies of our Rxs ( with generic names) or at least the labels..ask your pharmacist for an extra label ..only because you might lose them or the famous excuse...they dropped in the toilet!.. That only ever happens with controlled substances!!

Interesting Jody because last time flying out of Burbank the security made me take everything out of my totebag and my shoulder bag. They had me unzip my cosmetic case. I had a very small travelsize bottle of Advil Gels. They made me open the bottle and kind of looked inside. Couldn't really see anything as opening was so small but guess Gels they did see looked like the picture on the bottle so they were satisfied? I thought to myself afterward anyone could put something in the bottom and the Gels on top. But whatever. I was relaxed because I had nothing to hide. Anyway, like I said, this has been an ongoing debate for as long as I have been on Fodors. Each of us has to do what is comfortable for us.

Per the TSA website "Medications in daily dosage containers are allowed through the checkpoint once they been screened."

it is best to have copies off all prescriptions and give yourself extra time in case you get a full screening of the meds . . . . . .

That should read " . . .copies OF all prescriptions . . ."

I'd bring them in the original containers. I doubt you'll be questioned, but if you are, it'll be a lot easier to explain.

Bring the compartment thingie with you and sort them out after you arrive.

My husband takes a lot of meds. and the first time we went to London his original bottles took so much space! Since then he uses the daily compartments and has copies of all of his prescriptions. We've never been stopped or questioned. If you have just one or two prescriptions taking the original containers might not be too much trouble. On the other hand, most mail-in insurance plans give 90 day supplies in large containers so even one or two would take up a lot of space.

Hi G,

We put all of our daily meds, vitamins, nutritional supplements, etc in zip lock bags and label them.

The only thing that goes in the original containers are controlled drugs, on the rare occasions that we have them.

The law does not say that meds have to be put into dark plastic bottles which are 3 times too big.

I put all my meds together, and I've never been questioned. If you are concerned, Ira's suggestion of labelled small ziplock bags sounds good.

here's your post

In 8 trips to Western Europe I have never had any official look inside my carry-on luggage.

I usually keep prescription medicines in the original containers, but the supplements like fish oil and vitamin C go in packs just large enough to hold what I need for the trip.