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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by keri fox on August 12, 2007, at 16:04:06
I am flying to Seattle from California with my husband and I currently take 3 different medications for ADHD and depression. Two of the medications are Wellbutrin Xl, and Lexapro and the other is 10 mg Adderall XR. Will the medications go through security safely/privately or will I have to pull them out infront of everyone in line? I feel worried that it will be embarrassing for me.
Posted by ClearSkies on August 12, 2007, at 16:19:44
In reply to medications on an airplane, posted by keri fox on August 12, 2007, at 16:04:06
> I am flying to Seattle from California with my husband and I currently take 3 different medications for ADHD and depression. Two of the medications are Wellbutrin Xl, and Lexapro and the other is 10 mg Adderall XR. Will the medications go through security safely/privately or will I have to pull them out infront of everyone in line? I feel worried that it will be embarrassing for me.
Hi there and welcome to babble! When I travel, I keep my pills with me in their own bottles showing they're prescribed to me. I don't put them in my luggage, in case I end up in one place and the next morning's dose doesn't show up at all.
I've never had any of my medications questioned by security folks, nor any funny looks from anyone because of them.
Good luck and safe travels!
ClearSkies
Posted by gardenergirl on August 12, 2007, at 17:13:07
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane » keri fox, posted by ClearSkies on August 12, 2007, at 16:19:44
I get my meds mail order, 90 days worth at a time. I don't like to bring all the bottles with me when I travel because they are so big. I've always used my stackable pill boxes to make a week or two worth of meds. I use those anyway because it's easier for me just to grab the day's box versus getting out what I need, and it's already in something I can easily take with me. I've never had anyone in airport security ask about it at all, and I've taken it both in carry-on and in checked baggage. Now that doesn't mean it won't happen Tuesday, but that's what I do anyway. I suppose I could take the paperwork that comes with each prescription with me, just in case.
gg
Posted by ClearSkies on August 12, 2007, at 18:18:45
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane » ClearSkies, posted by gardenergirl on August 12, 2007, at 17:13:07
> I suppose I could take the paperwork that comes with each prescription with me, just in case.
>
> ggDoh!! That's a good idea too!
cs
Posted by Phillipa on August 12, 2007, at 20:15:53
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane » gardenergirl, posted by ClearSkies on August 12, 2007, at 18:18:45
Never had my purse searched in an airport. Been a while since I've flown are they now searching even if the purse goes through the security belt thingy? Love Phillipa
Posted by yznhymer on August 12, 2007, at 21:24:53
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane, posted by Phillipa on August 12, 2007, at 20:15:53
> Never had my purse searched in an airport. Been a while since I've flown are they now searching even if the purse goes through the security belt thingy? Love Phillipa
I knew it! You're a mule for the Lindt Chocolate Company! No wonder the street value of crack chocolate truffles has plummeted. ;-)
Posted by Phillipa on August 12, 2007, at 21:50:54
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane » Phillipa, posted by yznhymer on August 12, 2007, at 21:24:53
Caught again. But I buy two big bags for less than $20. Have to have my fix. Love Phillipa
Posted by Bonnie_CA on August 13, 2007, at 3:22:57
In reply to medications on an airplane, posted by keri fox on August 12, 2007, at 16:04:06
I wouldn't worry about it. I've never had anyone ask me or pull them out to ask about them, and I fly often. I carry my prescription bottles. One time I got some crap from a guy about my FloNase, but he was just an *ss. It was a liquid, big deal. It's not like you can even open the damn thing! Anyway, don't worry. They're looking for liquids and bombs, not pills.
-Bonnie
Posted by BGB on August 13, 2007, at 7:31:36
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane » ClearSkies, posted by gardenergirl on August 12, 2007, at 17:13:07
Be careful; I know that at least in the state of Georgia it is the law that you carry *any* prescription drug in its original container with the label on it. Putting drugs into a different container and carrying the prescription separately is still illegal. Unfortunately, I found that out the hard way! I got "busted" and thrown out of Six Flags because I had some Wellbutrin with me. =(
Posted by keri fox on August 13, 2007, at 16:18:20
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane » gardenergirl, posted by BGB on August 13, 2007, at 7:31:36
I guess I just didn't want to have to deal with carrying three different larger original pill containers with 3 pills in each one (since I'm only going to be gone for 3 days). I also don't have anywhere to put the rest of the medication that I'm leaving at home if I bring each original pill container. I was hoping to carry the small amount in a little pill box but I will do what I need to do. I also live in California and I don't know if the laws are different in Georgia.
Posted by upsndowns on August 14, 2007, at 12:48:34
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane, posted by keri fox on August 13, 2007, at 16:18:20
I travel quite a bit both domestically and internationally and always carry my meds in snack sized zip loc baggies, one per day, and then put the whole lot into a larger baggie and carry it all in my backpack. Never once, never, have I been asked to show what is in my bag or questioned about anything and I take several meds every day so the baggies are full of stuff. I wouldn't worry about it, nor would I offer to show them or take anything out of my bag or purse....no questions about the pillbox in my purse either. I also, when we are going to be gone more than a weekend, take antihistamines, advil, you get the picture.....no questions asked and I take them as loose pills in a baggie.
Posted by rina on August 15, 2007, at 14:16:31
In reply to medications on an airplane, posted by keri fox on August 12, 2007, at 16:04:06
Good question and I'll give you the best up-to-date information, especially since I'm a flight attendant and use Adderall XR myself. As long as it's in the prescribed bottle and not in baggies or any other bag that is not labeled by your physician your fine. Happy flying.
Posted by rina on August 15, 2007, at 14:20:50
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane » gardenergirl, posted by BGB on August 13, 2007, at 7:31:36
This is absolutely correct! The FAA requires now that all prescription meds be in their original containers at all times or they will be confiscated and not returned. So don't take any chances with pill cases or anything of the kind.
Posted by rina on August 15, 2007, at 14:25:20
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane, posted by upsndowns on August 14, 2007, at 12:48:34
kerifox, also remember that yours is a controlled substance (Adderall)and here in California which is where I fly out we have the new radar scanners so it will show up. Just be careful but the decision is yours. I've been a flight attendant for 17years now, just telling you what I know.
Posted by keri fox on August 15, 2007, at 15:37:57
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane, posted by rina on August 15, 2007, at 14:25:20
Rina, Does this mean that they will take it out and everyone in line will know what medications I take?
I will bring the bottle with 3 Adderall pills in it, but then when I go through security will I need to take them out and show them? It seems like an invasion of the HIPPA laws when I have to show everyone in line what meds I take.
Posted by keri fox on August 15, 2007, at 15:40:07
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane, posted by keri fox on August 13, 2007, at 16:18:20
Rina,
I'd almost rather suffer without the medication for 3 days then to be humiliated in public.
Posted by gardenergirl on August 15, 2007, at 23:14:39
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane, posted by rina on August 15, 2007, at 14:20:50
> This is absolutely correct! The FAA requires now that all prescription meds be in their original containers at all times or they will be confiscated and not returned. So don't take any chances with pill cases or anything of the kind.
I've heard this, but I've never ever had anyone in security ask about my medications. I always have the day's worth in my purse. Sometimes I put the rest in the weekly pill box in my carryon, sometimes in a checked bag. I suppose it depends to some extent on the airport?
gg
Posted by cactus on August 16, 2007, at 6:32:20
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane » rina, posted by gardenergirl on August 15, 2007, at 23:14:39
I know if you fly domestically in australia it's ok but if you're going abroad you have to take a note from your doctor explaining what they are for so if you get stopped by customs with a controlled substance you have proof that they are for you. Make sure the bottles are labelled with your name too.
Posted by rina on August 17, 2007, at 17:44:52
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane, posted by cactus on August 16, 2007, at 6:32:20
That's true but with us as crewmembers we have a different clearance thankfully.
Posted by rina on August 17, 2007, at 18:22:00
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane, posted by keri fox on August 15, 2007, at 15:37:57
Absolutely not. Here's how it works. If the screeners decide to pull it aside and sometimes they do since the rules have changed, they will pull you aside for a bag check. Other passengers will not be able to know what's going on and you can request a woman if you choose. Definitely it's not done in the embarassment of the customer. Let me know how it goes. I was just suggesting to bring the original bottle because I've seen so many people disappointed when meds were discarded because in personal containers because unfortunately screeners aren't physicians and can't detect what meds are what. Have a wonderful trip.
Posted by rina on August 17, 2007, at 18:23:51
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane, posted by keri fox on August 15, 2007, at 15:40:07
Don't feel that way. They will definitely pull you aside and not embarass you in the least. You have rights as well.
Posted by keri fox on August 20, 2007, at 14:11:32
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane, posted by rina on August 17, 2007, at 18:23:51
We just got back and I decided to put all the medication in a pill box in my carryon and had all documentation from the pharmacy for it and a MD note for the adderall XR to cover myself.They didn't even hesitate to pass it through and showed no interest in it. We only had to put our liquids/lotions etc in the quart size ziplock in the bin and pass it through the xray. We went through SFO and SEATAC airports. My husbands step-father is a pilot for United and he said they are pretty much only concerned about liquids.
Posted by rina on August 20, 2007, at 23:28:05
In reply to Re: medications on an airplane, posted by keri fox on August 20, 2007, at 14:11:32
Good! I'm glad everything went well for you. Welcome back.
This is the end of the thread.
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