Can You Take Medicine on a Plane? 5 FAQs About Traveling With Your Medications, Answered
Key takeaways:
You can take most medications on the plane when you travel. But there are some exceptions.
Depending on your destination, you may want to bring more medication than you expect to use during the trip. Keep your medications in your carry-on luggage whenever possible.
Every country has different rules regarding medications you can bring. If you’re traveling abroad, find out in advance what your destination country’s rules are.
Table of contents
If you’re planning an upcoming trip and not sure what to do about your medications, you’re not alone. Figuring out the rules regarding medications on a plane and during travel can be difficult and confusing.
Here, we’ll break down several common questions about traveling with medications. We’ll also include the steps you can take to help ensure that everything goes smoothly during your trip.
1. Can you take medicine on a plane?
Most medications are allowed on planes. There are some exceptions to flying with medication, which we’ll cover below. You can take your medication on planes in your checked luggage or carry-on, depending on the medication’s storage requirements.
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But delays can happen, and checked luggage can get lost. So having your medications in your carry-on is the safest option. You can put your extra supply in your checked luggage.
When packing medications in your carry-on, make sure you put them in a separate container and clearly label them. This will help facilitate the screening process at the airport.
When traveling within the U.S., you don’t have to declare your medications unless they’re in liquid form.
When you’re traveling abroad, each country has different rules. Contact the U.S. embassy of your destination country for any requirements. If you’re unsure, declare your medications anyway.
Below are some things to know about bringing specific types of medications on a plane.
Medication form or type | Travel tips |
|---|---|
Pills | Keep your pills in their original bottles if possible. If you carry them in a pill case, make sure you have prescriptions for them or a note from your prescriber. Some destinations might have specific requirements about documentation and how to package your pills — check what these are ahead of time. |
Liquid medications | The 3-1-1 rule, which limits the amount of liquid you bring through security, applies to liquids in your carry-on. But this rule doesn’t apply to liquid medications. If you have more than 3.4 oz of liquid medication, you’ll have to declare it with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent. |
Injectable medications | You can take injectable medications (like an insulin pen or an Epipen) in your carry-on. The same goes for diabetes supplies and insulin vials. Make sure to tell the TSA officer that you have a health condition and clearly identify these items. |
Unused Needles | If you need needles to inject medication, it’s OK to have them in your carry-on. But this is only if you have your injectable medication with them. If you plan to use your medication during the flight, bring a small sharps container to put your used needles in. |
Inhalers | You can take inhalers on the plane, but you’ll need to declare them at screening. Although labels are not required, they can make checkpoint inspections smoother. |
You can take controlled prescription medications on the plane. Be sure you have a note from your prescriber explaining what the medication is and what it’s used for. Depending on where you’re going, there may be restrictions. Check ahead of time, and work with the country’s U.S. embassy. | |
Medical marijuana (cannabis) | Marijuana is a schedule I controlled substance. This makes it the most tightly regulated type of controlled substance. You can’t legally bring it on the plane, regardless of the state laws you’re flying from or to. |
Cannabis-derived medications | You can have products containing cannabinoids (substances found in cannabis) if they’re FDA approved (like Epidiolex) or don’t contain more than 0.3% of THC (a cannabinoid). This includes most over-the-counter CBD products. |
Travel tips: If stored improperly, insulin may not work as well to manage diabetes. This is an important consideration if you take it with you on a trip. Here are expert tips for traveling with insulin to keep your medication safe and effective.
Medication storage: Heat, moisture, and sunlight can damage medications. Learn more about the best places to store your medications to keep them protected.
Refill too soon: Before you travel, be sure you have enough medicine on hand. Whether you’re planning ahead or about to run out during your trip, it’s good to know prescription refill rules to ensure you’re covered.
2. How do I pack the right amount of medication?
Traveling with medications requires planning. Part of that planning is figuring out how much medication you’ll need so you don’t run out.
To avoid this, pack twice as much than you’ll need. But take no more than a 90-day supply, unless you’re going on a long trip.
But if you’re traveling abroad with medication, contact that country’s embassy to ask about their regulations. Some countries don’t allow more than a few days’ supply for certain medications.
What can I do if I run out of medication?
Ask your prescriber for an extra prescription before leaving. This way, you can refill your medication if you run out. If this happens while traveling in the U.S. and you don’t have an extra prescription, contact your prescriber right away to get one.
You can also ask the pharmacy for an emergency refill if your prescriber can’t be reached right away. They may be able to give you a 30-day supply for certain medications. But this depends on state law.
If you’re traveling abroad, your prescription may not be honored in another country. If you run out of medication, contact the U.S. embassy to be connected with local healthcare professionals. Avoid buying medications in open markets because they may not be safe.
3. How can I keep medications stored at the right temperature?
Extreme temperatures can affect medications and make them less effective. So it’s important to take steps that keep them stored properly.
For example, pack your temperature-sensitive medications (like insulin) in your carry-on. This prevents them from getting too cold in your checked luggage. Use insulated travel cases to carry refrigerated medications. Make sure any ice packs are frozen solid as you go through security. Use a small towel or another divider so they’re not directly touching your medication. Keeping your medications in their original package can also help keep them stored properly.
Don’t use medication if it looks or smells different during your trip. This may be a sign it’s damaged. If this happens, use your extra prescription to get a refill at a local pharmacy.
4. How can I help my child travel with their medications?
If your child takes medications, a little planning can ensure they enjoy their trip safely.
To start, it may be helpful to take a shorter trip as a trial run before going on a longer one. This can help you figure out how best to prepare. Make sure you teach your child anything they need to know about traveling with their medications.
It’s also important to plan for screening at the airport. Medical supplies like insulin pumps or intravenous pumps are allowed on planes. If your child uses either of these, go to the airport early and tell the TSA officer at the start of the inspection.
Ensure their medications are readily accessible to them at all times during the trip. This is especially important if they use rescue medications, such as an inhaler or an EpiPen.
5. What are some of the most common laws people break when traveling with medication?
Laws about traveling with medications can be tricky. And most confusion happens when traveling abroad. That’s because requirements can change depending on which country you visit. Always check with your destination’s U.S. embassy to get the most updated information. Below are a few common mistakes that you’ll want to avoid.
Traveling with too much medication: Some countries restrict how much medication you can bring with you. This is especially the case with controlled substances. You may even be limited to only a few days’ worth of medication.
Traveling with banned medications: Some FDA-approved medications are banned in certain countries. For example, you can’t bring pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or stimulant attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder medications (such as Adderall) into Japan.
Traveling without proper documentation for controlled medications: Most countries require your prescriber’s prescription, ideally translated into the local language. Some countries (e.g., Japan) require you to apply in advance to bring your medications.
Traveling with medical marijuana within the U.S.: Medical marijuana is legal in several states, but it’s illegal at the federal level. So you can’t carry it across state lines.
The bottom line
Traveling with medications requires some planning ahead, but it doesn’t have to be stressful.
Rules vary depending on your destination, but there are many resources for the information you need to prepare.
Before traveling with medications, visit the websites of your airline and the Transportation Security Administration. If you’re traveling abroad, contact your destination’s U.S. embassy to make sure you follow the rules. Check several sources to confirm the information you find.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). What can I bring with me on the plane.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Traveling abroad with medicine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Tips for traveling with diabetes.
Drug Enforcement Agency. (2020). Drug fact sheet: Marijuana/cannabis.
Food and Drug Administration. (2015). Transcript: Traveling with prescription medications.
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers. (2019). Traveling with medications: A guide.
International Narcotics Control Board. (n.d.). General information for travellers carrying medicines containing controlled substances.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2019). Cannabis (marijuana) and cannabinoids: What you need to know.
National Conference of State Legislatures. (2023). State medical cannabis laws.
Transportation Security Administration. (n.d.). Can you pack your meds in a pill case and more questions answered.
Transportation Security Administration. (n.d.). External medical devices.
Transportation Security Administration. (n.d.). Gel ice packs.
Transportation Security Administration. (n.d.). Medical marijuana.
Transportation Security Administration. (n.d.). Medications (liquid).
Transportation Security Administration. (n.d.). Unused syringes.
Transportation Security Administration. (n.d.). What can I bring?
Transportation Security Administration. (n.d.). What is the 3-1-1 liquids rule?
U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan. (n.d.). Bringing over-the-counter medicine and prescriptions into Japan.
Westmacott, C. (2020). What you need to know about travelling with medications. International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.
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