Taking Medication on an plane?

blue_monkey_2

I wonder if anyone knows about taking medication on holiday. My son has recently started taking daily medication and I wondered about getting it on the flight (it is not a liquid antibiotic).

I will have it in my hand luggage because I will need him to have it before the flight, but does anyone know if are there any rules I need to follow with taking prescribed medication on an aeroplane at all, please (such as a doctors letter). Thank you.

ellay864

You shouldn't have any problem at all but if you're concerned just show them as you would your clear bag of liquids. Even if your medication was liquid you'd be OK as there are exemptions to allow things like insulin, eye drops. No need for doctors note

Pilchard

Hi there

As Ellay said, you shouldn't have any problems at all. I take a lot of medication, including liquids and have had no problems. If you're concerned just take the tear off slip from the repeat prescription which has the list of medications (the white page which is attached to the green prescription). If it is a new illness, however, have you informed your travel insurance company?

Enjoy your travels xx

Blackpool_Saver

when my son was on a CD I always took a drs letter as the drug would have been illegal if not prescribed, I would play safe myself, what is it?

blue_monkey_2

Thanks for the replies, yes, I told the Insurance company tonight as he has only just started it but things are looking good so it looks inevitable he will carry on taking it.

It's for his ADHD, Equasym, but I had to sign to say that I had collected it from the pharmacy so it did concern me that it too would be illegal without a prescription and I would get stopped. I have to see the doc so I'll ask them to draft me a note to say he has been prescribed it.

owen22

Hi blue_monkey,

I'd echo what the others have said and I'm sure you'll have no problem.

I have to take daily medication and have had no problem taking it on board but it has always been either in branded blister packs or in containers with pharmacy labels on it. If you're taking the extra precaution of getting a medical note I can't beleive there would be any problem.

One thing worth thinking about is which airline you're flying with and whether your son will require water to take his medication with (I'm not familiar with Equasym, sorry).

If you're flying with a 'budget' airline you will need to buy your own water to take it with so buy a bottle before you board (after you've gone through baggage control obviously!) rather than pay the airline's extortionate prices.

Once I stupidly thought the the budget airline I was flying with would be happy to give me an inch or two of water in a cup to take my tablets with but they refused (rather conveniently) citing that the only drinking water they have on the flight is bottled and chargable. :mad:

Being a beligerent type when faced with jobsworths, I made them give me a cup with ice in it and pour some hot water over it as both of those are provided free of charge!

Hope you and your family have a great holiday!

FH_Brit

Tip - Do not "re-package" meds - many places require that they are in the original prescribed container as the "prescription label" needs to be there.

Also keep enough meds for a few days (not just enough for your flying day) in you hand baggage, if your luggage gets lost you'll have enough until your bags turn up.

Also double check your meds are packed - many insurance policies do not cover "forgotten meds" and to get them through the ER (Florida) could cost $1000.00 after hospital bill, ER Doctor bill and Pharmacy (uninsured) bill!

MrsManda

Agree with FH brit. Keep in the original packaging and make sure you keep the medication for the whole trip with you in your hand luggage just in case something happens with your hold luggage. If it's on repeat prescription take the repeat prescription slip with you - its an easy thing to do and proves its prescribed. I've never had any problems with carrying my medication.

Oh and if you have enough doses/boxes, it may be worth putting some in a different bag to the others just incase you get your bag snatched, you leave it somewhere etc... - highly unlikely to happen but reduces the costs/stress should it happen.

blue_monkey_2

Thanks, some good ideas there thank you. Yes I'll keep it in the packs and make sure it has his name on (I know if you get a lot some is unmarked) but thanks because there are a few things that I would not have thought of. I open the capsules and give it to him with yoghurt or something. We are flying with Virgin and are going into the V room so I am sure there will be something in there that we can give it to him with. I think I might actually wait until we are in the air because it only lasts 8 hours but the flight is 9 1/2 so at least for the bulk of the flight he should be relatively calm. Ooer. I am dreading it.

That being said he has informed me that he is not going on an aeroplane and wants to go by boat - and it's a long way to Florida by boat - so we shall see...... LOL.

FH_Brit

Blue - it's rare to actually take 9½ hours - usually 7½ - 8 depending on head winds.

As he don't wanna fly - sounds like a sleeping pill may be called for - or booze! ! ! to knock him out (Remember BA in the A Team?)

ellay864

owen22 wrote: »

Hi blue_monkey,


Once I stupidly thought the the budget airline I was flying with would be happy to give me an inch or two of water in a cup to take my tablets with but they refused (rather conveniently) citing that the only drinking water they have on the flight is bottled and chargable. :mad:

Being a beligerent type when faced with jobsworths, I made them give me a cup with ice in it and pour some hot water over it as both of those are provided free of charge!

Excellent...would have loved to seen their faces when you asked for that :rotfl: