Are OTC medications allowed?
 

Being a nervous flyer, I take the drowsy Dramamine right before boarding & carry the container with me at all times. Also I never go anywhere without a bottle of Percogesic, muscle relaxant & great for headaches. Will this cause a problem if I have these 2 in my purse??

Non-prescription medications are not restricted in any way on U.S. domestic flights. The restrictions apply solely to liquids and gels.

Liquids and gels also include OTC with the exception of a small amount of cough syrup. (I think they stated something like 3oz. was allowed).
Anything in pill form is fine.

OK I admit that I haven't kept up with the news much this month. But exactly why the sudden care about prescription drugs on planes?

Actually, this is one item that if you "admit you haven't kept up" you should. Check out www.cnn.com or any other new source to understand the major threat that existed to UK-USA flights until recently. This is major - something worth reading up on.

I was wondering about OTC asthma inhalers, such as Primatene Mist. I haven't found any info on it on the "can't have onboard" lists, but it is in a liquid form in the canister. Anybody have any idea on that one?

(Head hung in shame) I guess I missed the big news day. I do know about the terror threats and I do know about the Rush Limbaugh incident, but I still don't understand why prescription drugs are being targeted now.

Prescription drugs are NOT being targeted now, wsoxrebel. Any product is being targeted if it is in the form of liquid, gel etc.

On one of the ever-changing lists they noted prescription medications must be in original bottles with name matching that of traveller.

In my opinion and observation, every time they tighten security rules two things happen - they gradually relax them days or weeks later and they use it as an opportunity to enforce already existing rules (like prescription medications in labeled bottles) or add things they wanted to do and now have the opportunity to.

That is only if the RX is a liquid or gel.

It may be confusing because they have the rule about rx meds, but that only applies to liquid meds -- ie, you can't bring ANY liquids on board unless it's a prescription liquid medication. Prescription and OTC pills are not prohibited.

thanks everyone - I get it now

Might be best to look in the "horse's mouth", since the regulations may change as the conditions become more clear. ((*))

http://tinyurl.com/ptxdw

Asthma inhalers are fine to bring aboard.

I now see inhalers are on the ok list, but it states that you must label the box with your name. I wonder if they mean to just handwrite it (as if I still have the box anyhow), or that the inhaler must be prescribed and therefore you should carry it in the box with your name and script info.

Anybody gone aboard with Primatene Mist with no box?

The TSA actually wants you to have the box or bottle labeled with the original prescription label.

So, only prescription inhalers are allowed. That's what I initially figured. Thanks, Doug.

That's actually not what that means at all. For liquid prescriptions, the TSA does request that they be in original containes with original prescription label.

From the TSA website (please see Jed's link above) it says as of right now, that up to 4 oz. of liquid non-rx medication may be carried on as well.

Please, please get this type of info directly from the source. People unintentionally spread all sorts of misinformation, simply because they think they understand the rules but don't really.

It also says, if you click on the link at TSA's website:

Non liquid or gel medications of all kinds such as solid pills, or inhalers are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened. Please make sure your medications are labeled.

Of course, this could all change tomorrow. Which is just another reason to check official sources, since word of mouth info, even if once correct, may be out of date.

What I read on the site says specifically that inhalers are allowed, but they must be labeled with the passengers name. That, to me, means prescription inhalers only since an OTC inhaler is not going to have the passengers name on it.

It actually doesn't say that. Follow through to this link:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1059.shtm

to find:

However, prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket; up to 5 oz. of liquid or gel low blood sugar treatment, including juice and up to 4 oz. of non-prescription liquid medications are permitted.

If you need more than 5 oz. of liquid or gel low blood sugar treatments or 4 oz. of non-prescription medications please pack amounts in excess of those described above in your checked baggage.

Non liquid or gel medications of all kinds such as solid pills, or inhalers are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened. Please make sure your medications are labeled.


It says labeled - not labeled with your name. No OTC drugs will have a label with your name. But they should have the original label.

Gotcha jlm...thanks for the clarification. I'm actually quite bright about most things, ;) but the "label" issue did throw me off. I guess it's all this talk about having a script on meds with the label matching the passenger name.

Thanks again for the clarification. :)

It is confusing. I hope I'm interpreting it correctly! I just can't imagine that they'd allow all non-rx drugs except inhalers. :)

Well, I prefer the OTC over prescription inhalers I've had and I usually don't need it inflight but I like to be safe and carry it anyhow. At any rate, I'm going to have both when I have my trips stateside over the next four to six weeks. Thanks. :)