Millions of travelers fly with prescription medications every year without any issues.
But that doesn’t mean airport security, or customs officials in another country, won’t have questions if something about your medication raises a red flag.
Fortunately, most problems are easy to avoid.
Here are five common medication mistakes that can slow you down at the airport and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Not Checking International Medication Rules
Just because something is legal in this country doesn’t mean it’s legal in the country you’re going to. There are plenty of common medications that are perfectly fine to take here, but can’t be brought into other countries. Here’s a short list of some of them. Check to see if the medications you take are allowed in your destination country because Adderall, Benadryl, CBD, Xanax, and more may not be OK wherever you’re going. The bottom of this post explains how to find out.
Mistake #2: Failing to Declare Liquid Medications
The TSA’s rules say:
Medication in liquid form is allowed in carry-on bags in excess of 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities for the flight. It is not necessary to place medically required liquids in a zip-top bag. However, you must tell the officer that you have medically necessary liquids at the start of the screening checkpoint process. Medically required liquids will be subject to additional screening that could include being asked to open the container.
So if you don’t tell the TSA officer at the screening area that you have cough syrup, bottled or IV antibiotics, or saline in your carry-on bag, they’re just going to see these big containers of liquids, not in a quart-sized bag, and guess what? You just earned yourself and your bags a secondary screening. Hope you got to the airport early! 
Mistake #3: Carrying Too Many Pills
When we travel domestically, I usually pack an extra day or two of medication, just in case our flight is delayed or we unexpectedly have to spend another night somewhere.
When we travel internationally, I bring up to an extra week’s worth of meds, just to be on the safe side. After all, my doctor’s prescriptions won’t work in other countries (and my insurance probably wouldn’t cover them outside the U.S. anyway).
But if you bring lots and LOTS of extra, the checkpoint agents are going to look at you kind of funny. And if it’s a controlled substance, you miiiight even earn yourself some questioning (because, let’s face it, having 250 Oxycontins on you when you’re only going to be there for 2 weeks could look like you may intend to sell them). Unless you’re relocating or are working on a temporary assignment, don’t bring more than 90 days’ worth of any medication.
Mistake #4: Using Unlabeled or Non-Prescription Bottles
This typically isn’t an issue, and the TSA even says:
TSA does not require passengers to have medications in prescription bottles, but states have individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription medication with which passengers need to comply.
It’s one of those situations where doing it the easy way may not always be the smart way.
That being said, if you keep your pills in the bottle they originally came in, that shows the labels provided by a pharmacist – especially if they’re a controlled substance – you’re less likely to have to go through a round of additional questioning.
Mistake #5: Not Carrying a Doctor’s Note
A doctor’s note isn’t required, but it can be one of the easiest ways to answer questions before they become bigger problems. That being said, it’s probably the fastest way to get past any questions a screener may have. The more documentation you have with you, the smoother the overall process will be.
Most people travel with medications every day and get through airport security without so much as a second glance.
But if you accidentally pack 250 pills in an unmarked bottle, forget to mention your giant bottle of cough syrup, or bring a medication that’s illegal where you’re headed…well…don’t be surprised if your trip through security takes a little longer than everyone else’s.
A few minutes of planning before you leave home is a whole lot easier than trying to explain everything while everyone behind you in line wonders what’s taking so long.
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