Traveling With Medications: Security, Storage, and Refills

Planning a trip and worried about your medications? You’re not alone. Millions of people travel with prescriptions every year, and most don’t realize how easily things can go wrong. A bottle left in checked luggage, a banned drug at customs, or a spoiled insulin vial can turn a vacation into a medical emergency. Knowing what to do before you leave - and what to expect at security - makes all the difference.

How TSA Handles Medications at Security Checkpoints

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) doesn’t treat medications like regular liquids. If you’re flying in the U.S., you can bring more than 3.4 ounces (100ml) of liquid meds - insulin, oral solutions, injectables - as long as you declare them. No need to put them in the quart-sized bag. Just tell the officer at the checkpoint. You’ll likely get a pat-down or a swab test, but you won’t be turned away.

Original containers with pharmacy labels cut your inspection time by 63%. Officers recognize them instantly. If your meds are in a pill organizer or a random bottle, expect delays. Some travelers carry a doctor’s note, and while it’s not required in the U.S., it helps. In fact, TSA’s Cares program - which uses sunflower lanyards to signal medical needs - reduces screening time by 41%. If you have chronic conditions or complex needs, ask for this service when you check in.

What You Can and Can’t Bring Internationally

Domestic rules are simple. International? Not so much. What’s legal in London might be illegal in Tokyo. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) tracks restrictions in 193 countries, and 47% update their lists every year.

Here are some real examples:

• Japan bans pseudoephedrine - common in cold and allergy meds. Even a single tablet in your bag can get confiscated.
• Thailand requires prior authorization for alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium). No paperwork? You’re out of luck.
• The UAE and Saudi Arabia ban all opioids, including oxycodone and hydrocodone. Even if it’s prescribed in the U.S., it’s a criminal offense there.
• Adderall and Vyvanse are outright banned in 17 countries, including France, Sweden, and Singapore.
• CBD products with any THC, even 0.1%, are illegal in 29 countries - including Dubai and Singapore - regardless of U.S. federal rules.

The CDC’s Yellow Book 2025 lists hydrocodone, oxycodone, alprazolam, diazepam, and zolpidem as the top five medications that cause trouble abroad. If you take any of these, check your destination’s rules before you pack.

Storage: Keeping Meds Safe and Effective

Heat and cold can ruin your meds. Insulin, for example, must stay between 36°F and 46°F (2°C-8°C). If it gets too hot or too cold, it loses effectiveness - and you won’t know until it’s too late.

Most travelers use cooling wallets. These are not regular ice packs. Pharmaceutical-grade ones maintain 2°C-8°C for up to 72 hours, even in 40°C (104°F) heat. A 2025 Diabetes Travel Survey found that 73% of insulin users who used these wallets avoided spoilage during tropical trips.

For other temperature-sensitive drugs - like biologics or certain antibiotics - the same rules apply. Pack them in your carry-on. Never check them. Luggage holds can drop below freezing or spike over 120°F. One traveler in Orlando lost three weeks’ worth of rheumatoid arthritis meds when her checked bag froze during a layover in Chicago.

Electronic Devices and Batteries

If you use an insulin pump, glucose monitor, or portable nebulizer, you’re carrying a lithium battery. The FAA limits these to 100 watt-hours per device in carry-on luggage. Most medical devices are under that, but power banks for chargers? Those count too.

Rule of thumb: Keep all medical devices in your carry-on. TSA and FAA require it. You can’t check them. If your pump runs out of power mid-flight, you’re stuck. Also, never tape over sensors or disable alarms. Security scanners can’t tell if a beeping device is a medical tool or a bomb. Always declare it.

Getting Refills While Traveling

Staying longer than 90 days? You can’t just walk into a pharmacy abroad and refill a U.S. prescription. Most countries don’t recognize foreign scripts.

The FDA allows you to bring in a 90-day supply for personal use. But if you’re staying longer, you have two options:

1. Mail it. Send additional supplies via international courier. You’ll need: a copy of your passport, your visa, a doctor’s letter explaining why you need the meds, and an English-language prescription.
2. See a local doctor. Many countries have clinics for expats and travelers. They can write a local prescription - but only if your condition is clearly documented. Don’t wait until you’re out of meds.

CBP updated its rules in October 2024: you can send extra medication for extended stays. But you must prove it’s for you - not for resale. Keep all receipts and documentation. You might need them at customs on your way home.

Documents You Need Before You Go

You don’t need a doctor’s note to fly domestically. But internationally? It’s non-negotiable.

Here’s what to carry:

• Original pharmacy containers - 67% of countries require them.
• Doctor’s letter - signed, dated, on letterhead. It should list your name, condition, medication names, dosage, and reason for use. The CDC recommends this for every international trip.
• Translated prescriptions - if you’re going to a non-English-speaking country, get your script translated. 83% of travelers who didn’t do this faced delays or confiscation.
• Digital copies - email or cloud storage. 31 countries now accept electronic prescriptions. Keep them synced across devices.

What to Do If You’re Denied Entry or Your Meds Are Confiscated

It happens. 12.7% of international travelers reported medication confiscation in 2024. If it happens to you:

• Stay calm. Arguing at customs won’t help.
• Ask for a written explanation. You have the right to know why your meds were seized.
• Contact your embassy. U.S. embassies have consular officers who can help you navigate local laws. They can’t get your meds back, but they can guide you to local doctors or pharmacies.
• Document everything. Take photos of the confiscated items and keep the receipt. You’ll need it for insurance claims or future travel.

Pro Tips That Save Time and Stress

• Distribute your meds - don’t put all your pills in one bag. Put half in your carry-on, half in your personal item. If one bag gets lost, you’re not out of treatment.
• Use a travel pill organizer with clear labels. It’s not a substitute for original containers, but it helps you stay organized.
• Check the INCB database before you book your flight. It’s free, updated monthly, and lists every banned substance by country.
• Carry extra pills - at least 10% more than you need. Delays happen. Weather happens. Plan for it.
• Know your airline’s policy. Some airlines offer special assistance for medical travelers. Call ahead.

What’s Changing in 2026

The World Health Organization is pushing for a global standard for medication travel by 2027. So far, 19 countries have set up online portals where you can submit your meds list before departure. 31 countries now accept digital prescriptions. And TSA has installed medication-friendly lanes at 37 major U.S. airports.

The trend is clear: travel with meds is becoming more regulated - but also more predictable. The key is preparation. Don’t wait until you’re at the airport to find out your drug is banned.