Traveling with Prescription Medications

Prescription drugs are allowed on flights. (Photo: Dynamic Graphics/Creatas/Getty Images )

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Because the Transportation Safety Administration has strict rules that it must enforce to reduce the likelihood of an unfortunate event happening on an airplane, some seemingly innocuous items are placed under more scrutiny than you might think is necessary. Among some of these items that are scrutinized at TSA security checkpoints are prescription drugs. As long as you understand the regulations associated with flying with prescription drugs, you should have little problem boarding your flight.

Prescription Drugs Allowed

You may bring all needed prescription drugs with you on your flight. This includes liquids. gels and aerosol medications. Some specific types of prescription medications you may need to bring include eye drops, saline solution and petroleum jelly.

Declaration

The Transportation Safety Administration does not limit the number of prescription drugs that you bring on board with you in your carry-on baggage; however those who bring liquid medicines that are not in bottles of three ounces or less or are not in a one-quart plastic bag must declare to one of the TSA security officers at a checkpoint that they have prescription medication in their luggage. The prescribed medication is subject to being inspected before it may clear security.

Non-liquid Medications

Travelers may pack non-liquid medications inside their carry-on luggage as well as in their checked baggage. The TSA recommends that travelers label their medications to expedite the screening process.

X-rays

The TSA typically X-rays medications and other medication-related supplies. As the owner of the medicine, you have the right to request that the TSA security officers visually inspect your medication instead of running it through the X-ray machine. During the visual examination, the TSA officer will ask you to show, handle and repack your own medication. If a medication cannot be visually cleared, it must go through the X-ray machine before you are allowed to take it through security.

Documentation

When possible, the traveler who brings prescribed medication on a flight should have documentation she can show to TSA employees to help explain why the medication is necessary. Although it is not absolutely required that the name on a prescription matches the name on a passenger's ticket, if these two names do not match, the traveler should be prepared to explain why.