Taking controlled drugs abroad on prescription

[PinkBump2022]

I’m going on holiday soon and Iv never took medication on holiday before I’m on a few medications for my pregnancy such as iron, stomach acid tablets, but I’m also on codeine which I believe is a controlled drug. Iv emailed the embassy to where I’m going who said it’s fine to take that with a letter from my gp.
so I have all this ready. So do I need to take it all out at security? Will I need to open up the boxes and will they check each strip? Will they check it all again once I arrive in my holiday country ?
i don’t know why I’m just so nervous

I just take them in my bag no one has said a word or even looked!

Me too - and mine have real street value!!!

@Remmy123 @Jalisco where did yous fly from? I am flying from Manchester which I also never flew from before

I flew UK to Spain a few weeks ago. I am currently precribed quite a high doe of codiene.

I took a copy of my prescription/repeat and a letter from the pharmacist at my surgery stating my prescription. (You need to be able to show theybare for your own use) I then had all the drugs (there were others too) in their original pharmacy issued boxes with the labels on in a separate bag in my hand luggage. I pulled them out on the tray for the xray machine along with liquids/elctro it's etc and they went through no question both ways. Noone opened the bag or looked at the paperwork. I took double the quantity I needed as I travelled during the ryanair strikes just in case!

I take a new sealed bottle with dispensers label. On my phone have screenshots of my prescription and my medication listed on the NHS app. I take this in my carry on luggage so I'm able to answer any queries. Have a lovely holiday

You can - provided you have your prescription etc also carry medication/medical aides in addition to your allowed luggage on most airlines (Inc ryanair) if that helps...

@LittleOwl153 so must I remove them from
mt hand luggage into a tray at security or just leave them in mt hand luggage? I have no liquid and only my phone as an electrical. Also do you go through the same process once arriving at your destination? Or just collect your cases and go?

It depends on where you’re going.

does your GP know you’re taking codeine? It can cause issues especially late in pregnancy.

Some countries ban all opiates so check your destination. The Middle East can be tricky with some drugs.

@underneaththeash yes it’s perscribed by my gp and Iv been told I can’t stop taking it during the pregnancy it will be too stressful on the baby so I’m to wean down once baby is born. They said if I wean down now and feel withdrawal symptoms then baby will also feel thus and it could be fatal for her. So I have to keep taking the same amount each day until baby is here safely. I was taking them for gallstones before I got pregnant

I would get a second opinion I am on several opiates and my consultant has told me it's important to stop codeine a few weeks before birth. GP's are not good re pregnancies and medicine.

I had to take morphine plus other drugs abroad to a country where it is prohibited. I did as said above so all in original boxes, letter from gp, original up to date prescription, the correct dose for the time I would be away. I kept all these with me. I did not show them up front as no requirement to but was ready if someone asked.

@PinkBump2022 don't worry about the codeine use itself if prescribed - I was on it as well throughout pregnancy with no adverse effects to baby. Though you will be kept in hospital for a few days to monitor baby once they arrive in case of withdrawal symptoms but it's rare.

In regards to travelling with the meds, I travel a lot and have never ever been checked. I haven't even thought to bring evidence of my scripts as it's never been an issue.

Have a lovely holiday

The signage says all liquids and electronics must be removed.

Because between us as a family we are used to travelling with alot of meds (and sometimes liquids among them I guess) I always stick them in a zip lock or similar bag that I can pull out of the hand luggage and into the tray - on the principle of not trying to hide anything. Whether you are required to I can't remember.

This happens in the security check each way.

Process at airport
So when you hit the airport you check in any baggage (or bag drop if you have done online check in)

You then go through security to 'airside' at this point your hand luggage bags get scanned, you walk through the scanners and collect your stuff the other side THIS IS WHERE YOUR MEDS MIGHT BE LOOKED AT.

Then you hit the 'relax and shop' of duty free!!

Boarding involves handing over boarding cards and passports for checking (and potentially having you bag sized checked if you are flying budget!) You could be queried here if you have meds in an extra bag (as you are allowed to have) but won't be an issue if your meds are within your hand luggage.

Get on you plane, fly, go through passport control on arrival (and covid pass checks?) collect your hold luggage and wander out (hopefully into the sunshine!)

The process will then occur exactly the same when you come back.

You'll be fine OP, don't worry.

I was just reading this regarding going to Greece. Trouble is I just buy OTC cocodamol, and use it for when I get a flare of gallstone pain. So it's not on px! Looks like I'll have to just take paracetamol 🙄

My friend and I both travelled with codeine. Mine was codeine itself (the good stuff for dealers) hers was Zapain mixed with paracetamol not so good. Mine was mixed in bag, my friends put hers in separate bag.

neither of us got stopped for codeine. I got stopped for lip balm

maybe just take a box with your prescription details on it, you’ll be fine

Thank you everyone you have all put my mind at ease a little I’m so worried and stressed I should be looking forward to it all not feeling this way

I'm on Co codamol 30/500, I just take a full unopened box which has the pharmacy sticker on it. I've never had any issues at all.

I'm on cocodamol 30/500 and have been for 10 years, I've done long haul fights and short flights with them. A strip in my handbag in case I get sciatica on the flight and I've never been stopped or questioned.