Travelling with medications

Jamminworld · 07-21-2008, 07:32 AM

My FI has medical problems which require him to be on multiple medications including a few narcotics. Is there any restrictions on taking such medications outside of the country? They will all be kept in the original prescription bottles but I want to make sure we won't run into any problems at the airport or in customs because of the quantity of medications.

starchild · 07-21-2008, 07:36 AM

I would talk to your airline to be certain just in case he needs something from his doctor.

ErinB · 07-21-2008, 07:41 AM

You should be fine if you keep them in the original bottles and keep them in his carry-on.

I had some narcotics and it wasn't ever questioned.

It might not be a bad idea to have a letter from his doctor with you just in case. I wouldn't have to list specifics, just FI has a medical condition...

TSA: Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions
Here's the link to the TSA site. You can also call them if you have a specific question that isn't answered.

I had to call about taking my flowers. Since they were fake I didn't want to have them confiscated because they have wired stems. I was told that if a question isn't answered or there isn't an offical policy, it is up to an individual screening agent.

JaimeLynne · 07-21-2008, 08:12 AM

I have had to take several prescriptions over to Mexico before and never had a problem. One time I even had to take a buttload of Chinese herbs that I was on. I did have the herb lady write me a note on her letter head describing what they were, but only because I thought they might seem more suspicious. However, it was never an issue - they never asked to see the letter. Better safe than sorry though! I'd get a note from the doc if possible just to be sure.

I do have kind of a funny story related to this though. Down in Playa del Carmen we met a really nice couple at the bar and had some drinks with them. He is a medical doctor, and says he always travels "prepared" with a few various prescriptions. Since they do a lot of hiking and outdoorsy type stuff, he usually takes a prescription for Hydrocodone (Vicodin) with them in case they get hurt. Well, one year they went to India (I think that was the place) and there was a huge to do over narcotics there. There was even a special line where you have to go to state that you are bringing in Narcotics. Well, knowing that he had Hydrocodone on him, he went and stood in this line (apparently not doing so can get you in major trouble, if not death!). When he finally got through the line and showed them his "narcotics" the agents actually laughed at him! Apparently those are nothing compared to "real" narcotics they see there... We all had a good chuckle over this

lucy106 · 07-21-2008, 08:12 AM

I have also carried narcotics out of the country and it never was a problem but I never really thought about it either. I wonder if there is anything on the US or Jamaican customs websites....

Jamminworld · 07-21-2008, 08:23 AM

Erin- Thanks so much for the website. It definitely answered many of my questions. I just wanted to be prepared because there is no way FI could go without his medication.
Just as an added safety I am also going to have FI Dr. write a letter.

Do you think his Dr. needs to specify his medical condition in the letter or do you think it can just say something to the affect that he is under Drs. care and requires medication?

lucy106 · 07-21-2008, 08:27 AM

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...eforeyougo.pdf

page 48 of this document has some information on medications... it tells you how to carry narcotics...

ErinB · 07-21-2008, 08:40 AM

I'm guessing with HIPPA, the doctor might jsut be able to say medical condition.

You might want to say heart condition, pain management, etc. I just personally wouldn't want to many details out there. I'm really weird about stuff like that though. I'll walk around naked, but don't want anyone to know I had a flu shot...go figure.