Taking Your Prescription Drugs Through Airport Security

Flying with medication doesn't need to give you a headache. If you've got a trip coming up and are wondering, how do I carry medication on a plane?, don't stress. While it's true that every item brought onto an airplane must be screened, you should be able to bring prescription drugs on your flight without difficulty.

Rules for Taking Prescription Drugs Through US Airport Security

In U.S. airports, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows passengers to bring prescription drugs and other medically required liquids, such as water or juice through security and onto flights. You may place liquid medications in 3.4-ounce (100 milliliters) bottles in a one-quart size clear zip-top plastic bag along with your other personal liquid and gel items. If your liquid prescription medications come in larger containers or bottles, pack them separately in your carry-on. Reasonable quantities of liquid medications are allowed (the 3-1-1- rule doesn't apply), but you do need to let TSA know at the airport security checkpoint. Permitted items include:

• Prescription liquids over 3.4 ounces.
• Water, juice, "liquid nutrition" (such as Boost), and gels that are necessary for a passenger with a medical condition or disability to consume during the flight. These must be under 3.4 ounces.
• Bone marrow, transplant organs, and other life-sustaining materials
• Mastectomy products and other cosmetic or medical augmentation items that contain gel or liquid.
• Breast milk and baby formula
• Frozen gels or liquids (ice packs) required to cool medications, life-sustaining materials, or disability-related items

At the Airport Security Checkpoint

When you arrive at the security checkpoint, whoever is flying with medication—you, your travel companion, or a family member—must declare your medically necessary liquid and gel items to a TSA office—but only if these items are in bottles or containers larger than 3.4 ounces. You can tell the screening officer about your prescription drugs or present a written list. You may wish to bring doctor's notes, original prescription bottles or containers, and other documentation to make the screening process go more quickly.

You will need to present these items separately to a security officer. They may ask you to open your bottles or containers of medically necessary liquid for inspection and testing. This testing may include pouring liquids into alternative containers or examining small amounts of the liquids. If your medically necessary liquids cannot be opened or X-rayed, you will still be able to bring your liquids with you, but you will probably have to undergo a pat-down screening, so plan to get to the airport early.

You will still need to remove your shoes during the screening process unless you have a medical condition or disability that prevents you from doing so, wear a prosthetic device, are over 75 years old, or have TSA Pre-check. If you cannot remove your shoes, expect to have them inspected and tested for explosives while you are wearing them.

Packing Your Prescription Drugs

The TSA suggests that you carry only the prescription drugs and medical liquids you need during your flight in your carry-on bag; travel experts, however, recommend that you take all doses of the medications and medical supplies you need with you in your carry-on bag if at all possible. Unexpected delays during your trip could leave you without enough medication because you cannot access your checked baggage until you reach your final destination. In addition, prescription drugs and medical supplies occasionally disappear from checked baggage en route, and it's difficult and time-consuming to obtain additional medications when you are far from home. Flying with medication in your carry-on ensures that you'll have all the prescription medications and medical liquids you'll need on your travels, even if you must undergo additional screening at the TSA checkpoint.

You are allowed to bring ice packs to keep medications and liquid medical supplies cold as long as you declare the ice packs to your screening officer.

If you need more information about packing your prescription medications or presenting them to the screening officer, contact TSA Cares at least 72 hours before your flight.

International Screening Information

Most countries share consistent and effective airport security screening procedures. This means that you can pack all your small liquid and gel items in your zip-top bag and use the same bag anywhere you travel.

What to Do if You Experience a Problem at the TSA Checkpoint

If you experience problems during your security screening, ask to talk with a TSA supervisor about your prescription medications. The supervisor should be able to resolve the situation.