prescriptions when traveling
 

I have read before that it is advised to bring all prescriptions in their original bottles with the presciption listed. Is this because someone might question what you are carrying with you or because you might need to refill them when away? It's a pain to take the whole bottle. Do I really need to?

I have to travel with 3 different medications. I usually put enough of all three for the trip in one perscrition bottle with all the pharmacy info on it. They want you to bring the medication in the original bottles to see that they are not illegal drugs and/or not perscribed to you.<BR><BR>And here is a great tip. I always pack two sets of medication. One in carry on luggage and the other on myself or on checked baggage if I have any. Sort of like a back up system if luggage gets lost or stolen.

The reason you are advised to bring prescriptions in their original containers is verification that you have a prescription for them. You can ask the pharmacist for extra containers (the smallest) with labels.

I used to always carry my multi vitamin and my aspirin (take one of each per day) in a little unlabeled plastic bottle. I was once cross-examined at length at the border going into Canada (at Niagra Falls, no less). I don't think I fit a profile of a drug dealer, but they examined everything and dumped those vitamins and aspirin out and examined them like they were major contraband! They scolded me for not having them in the original bottles even though you could see Bayer on the aspirin. Since then, I always keep everything in the original bottles. And now that I take a daily prescription drug for my gout, I always figure out in advance how many I'll need and have the pharmacist fill a prescription for that number or just over. I don't want to ever be treated like a criminal again like I was that day at Niagra.

The pharmacy bottles need only be with you if you are travelling out of the country.

This is from the website of the TSA:<BR><BR>Medication<BR>Diabetes supplies, such as syringes and injectors ARE permitted and should be packed in your carry-on baggage for your convenience. All prescription medication should be properly marked, with professionally printed pharmaceutical labels. <BR><BR>http://www.tsa.dot.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Travel_Prep_Fact_Sheet.doc<BR>

Ask your pharmacist to package your meds in the little zip lock bnags instead of bottles. The label will be inside or else stiuck on the outside. they take up a lot less room than bottles. Just be careful in case small children have access to them.