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Travelling/Flying with Opioid Prescription Medication

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Posted 12/30/2015 6:45 AM (GMT 0)
I'm just curious if anyone can share their experience about travelling abroad with opioids/prescription pain medication. I'm not crazy about travelling as it is, especially with chronic back pain, however long story short... this trip is not entirely my idea but it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I want to do this for my family and share the experience with them, and I think if I prepare myself enough (mentally and physically) I can do it and it'll be a positive experience for myself and my family.

Anyhow I haven't been on a plane since well before I had chronic pain issues nor since I've been taking pain medication. I've had more control over my pain the past couple of years and am now on a very low dose of now "as needed" opioid meds, two 5/325 percocets a day at most (any more than that believe it or not and the constipation always becomes more of a battle, even with laxatives).

My question is will I get hassled at customs for carrying a legal prescription of opioids? It'll be in my carry on bag clearly visible with the bottle having it's official prescription label on it with my name. I'm even prepared to go to my doctor beforehand to get a letter to carry with me which explains why I need the medication etc. (I hear this may be a good idea). Thanks for any input, I really appreciate it!
Posted 12/30/2015 10:42 AM (GMT 0)
The hassle comes in keeping it safe. The biggest issues we see are not getting onboard with it but with it being stolen. You have pretty much covered what they require as far as original bottle,label and in your carry on but be careful about the clearly visible to just anyone. I have done it with all my meds in a locked box and all of them in a clear Ziploc bag and didn't have a problem either way. You could include a letter from your Drs if you wish. You can even go to your pharmacy and tell them you need a travel bottle with the original labels so you don't have to travel with the entire thing. Chances are if something happens to it the Dr may not replace it.

Don't leave it in a motel room or anywhere else,keep it on you at all times. You should have no problems just tell them when they check bags you have prescription medications but not so loud others around here you.

If you are flying out of the country or going through customs at borders thing's might be somewhat different.
Posted 12/30/2015 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
Issues with narcotics/opiates (as well as medications for attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder and anxiety) and travel outside of the United States that have been in the mainstream news have concerned the mailing of said medications into foreign countries. The stories have generally involved situations where a well-meaning relative/friend mailed a filled prescription (mailed the actual pills) to a person (and US citizen) staying in countries that have extremely restrictive laws regarding the use and holding of controlled substances (narcotics/opiates, ADHD (ex. Ritalin), and anxiety (ex. Xanax) medications.

The countries in the news have been several in parts of Asia and Japan. The mailing of the medications was considered to be illegal transportation of a controlled substance, despite the fact that the recipient had a legal prescription and stated expressed medical need for the medication (written by a US physician).

One story was about a US college-graduate student studying in Japan whose mother sent her a filled 30-day prescription of Ritalin. The medication was sent through the normal mail and was intercepted by Japanese customs officials. It took action on the part of the American Embassy and Japanese legal authorities to free the student of charges.

The teaching: Avoid mailing (United States Postal Service snail mail, United Parcel Service, Fed-Ex) any medication that might be considered a controlled substance in the country in which the medication is received/coming into.

Post Edited ((Seashell)) : 12/30/2015 6:46:46 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/30/2015 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
You will not get hassled by customs. Your biggest threat is theft.

Always keep your meds on your person and if your handbag is not with you (as in a TSA check), keep an eagle eye on it. I've had drugs stolen at the TSA checkpoint. I now fly TSA precheck which speeds up that process, you may want to look into applying for it. It eliminates the requirements for taking off shoes, belts, etc. and is really nice for us folks who find these types of physical activities stressful and pain inducing.

I hate to have to add this point but theft from family members has happened to me too.

Have a nice trip.
Posted 1/1/2016 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
You don't have to put pills in your clear plastic bag, and I never would. Only liquids and gels have to be in the bags.

Never leave your meds in a hotel room or anywhere away from you that isn't locked up.

I don't take along my prescriptions unless out of the country. Check the rules for other countries individually. I keep my meds in daily containers with the time of day. My containers have 4 separations and I can take just a day's worth, leaving the rest locked up.

It's the same for credit cards and other things you need to protect.
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