Flying with controlled drugs

[ChittyChittyBoomBoom]

Hi, we’re flying to Majorca on Wednesday and will need to take ds’s adhd medication, which is a controlled drug.

We haven’t flown since he was diagnosed…do I need to do anything special? Should they be packed in our suitcase or in my hand luggage? Do we need the original box? Copy of the prescription? Drs letter?

im going to ask at our pharmacy tomorrow but wondered if anyone knew?

Original box with dispensing label, copy of the prescription won’t hurt and a Drs letter is helpful but you’ve probably left it a bit late for that if you are going the day after tomorrow.

I’d always take in hand luggage because if there is an issue with luggage you have lost the meds for a few days whilst they track it down -speaking from experience when DH packed his very essential medication in his luggage that didn’t make it on the flight to the USA until 2 days later!

DS ADHD meds weren’t even looked at when we took them in hand luggage btw.

Flew to Scotland with mine and they didn't even look although I got them out with my liquids in case. Not been abroad with mine yet but I took the box with label from pharmacy, my prescription copy and a photocopy of my original diagnosis letter in case of issues :)

Usually HCP can provide a letter, my MS nurse did this for me, when I needed to travel with needles and a DMD. If not a copy of the prescription and the drug in original packet should be acceptable. Have a lovely holiday.

Ask the airline you are travelling with. Things like this change pretty regularly in terms of what information you need to take. It also depends on the destination. The pharmacy will probably be able to provide you with what you need (eg medication print out) but may not know what you need exactly.

Thanks all, I’ll investigate tomorrow.

Dd has dexamphetamine for narcolepsy. She had letters the first few times abroad but doesn’t bother now, just takes a copy of her repeat prescription list.

Don’t even think about putting them in hold luggage, there are piles of ‘lost’ suitcases in airports everywhere at the moment. Always keep medication in your hand luggage

Yes, very good point @nancy75!

Definitely in your hand luggage. I even put a back up pack in DHs hand luggage.

I have flown with them at least 20 times and never been asked about them. Never brought any paperwork.

I could probably pull up an old email from DSs doctor saying he is on it if needed.

Make sure you take medicines in the original packaging, don’t decant into a handy daily pill container.

Just to update this, I asked at the pharmacy this morning and they said either a copy of the repeat prescription or the original box with the name label on would be sufficient.

Flown a few times with controlled medication and have never been asked about it. Always in original box with label.