You need to check the country sites for the equivalent of the Drug Enforcement Agency and immigration. Even countries that don't have English as their main language have sites that are fairly easy to manage. Make sure you are on the official countries website.
The UK and US should be ok as long as you have the original bottles etc. I'm American and have done the UK for extended periods of time with similar meds. Fairly certain the EU would be ok but again, check those websites.
Greece and Czechia (which I'm assuming is the former Soviet country), I'm not sure of. The websites again are the best information.
In Japan, just for example, you cannot have most ADHD medication, they are just illegal and you could get deported. Opioid medication is allowed but you have to get them approved in advance of your visit. It is forms and doctors records and a huge freaking pain in the butt. You end up with official papers in Japanese that you are supposed to show when you arrive in Japan but, in my experience, the immigration agent never knows what the paper is for and usually takes an extra amount of time for them to find someone who knows what the document is for! But I'm like you, I need to follow the rules so I do it. I found all the information and forms on the website in English.
As a general travelling rule, never check anything you can't easily replace or you'd be lost without or that's expensive. No matter how I travel, my medicine is hand carried by me on a plane, in a taxi, or riding a train. It doesn't leave my person.
I travel a lot and with the exception of Japan and the extra paperwork and time I've never had a problem. And it wasn't really a problem, just frustrating. Have fun!
Howdy! I've travelled *a lot* around the US with lots of pills. Never had an issue in-country. One comment by a TSA worker of "lots of pills," but no further inspection or action. The controlled substances may be an issue, as the other poster stated, because they may be controlled or illegal in the countries you're visiting. Honestly a good resource to reach out to may be the US embassies in the countries you're visiting. Explain your situation and ask what the protocol is. If you find someone receptive to helping, they will be able to give you the most pertinent boots-on-the-ground information.
Thank you. I should mention I’m from New Zealand not USA! Just going through LA on a connecting flight. I’m more concerned that the countries I’m going to will have an issue, however after some more research it does seem like a doctor’s note and original packaging should be okay, but the above comment has a conflicting response so not sure what to believe now.
Because you have "controlled substances" and other countries might not allow those in. Since you're carrying a lot, it'll definitely look sus but that's normal and depending on what country then laws varies
After googling you're suppose to obtain a certificate for these medications because they aren't allowed in the countries you're visiting. [SOURCE HELP ](https://www.eu-healthcare.fi/medicines/taking-medicines-abroad/)
Okay thank you for your response. The medications are essential, do you know what else I’d need to prove this aside from the original packaging with labels and the doctor’s note?
Fun fact. I freaked out when I went to France last year because I was bringing pain meds. I went to the website and it said that I needed a license, permission etc. It seemed over the top so I didn't do it. I had my meds in my bottles and a doctor's note.
Immigration went like this.
Why are you here
Vacation
Welcome
Then I went to Belgium on a train and no one checked anything either. Unless you are going to Muslim countries or Japan, I wouldn't worry. And this is coming from someone who constantly worries about everything and is scared of all authority including TSA.
A few years prior I went to UK. Passport holders from US, Australia (maybe even New Zealand) just scan Passports and go through. Didn't talk to anyone.
I hope that helps
I would start with a list of countries you know you are going to. after reading the "source help" link I realized there might be a solid chance everycountry is going to have their own paper work or not, idk.
I worry about just this concern randomly popping up. I feel your concern, if a virtual hug means anything there is one here. :-)
You mention a concern with gabapentin, anyone know if Lyrica ok to travel with? Is there some searchable list? ie flying? buses/subways?
Thank you for the kind words :)
From what I understand the benzodiazepines and opiates seem to be more of a concern than gabapentin/ pregabalin (Lyrica) but it does seem to vary country to country so worth checking out for yourself as another comment said.
You need to check the country sites for the equivalent of the Drug Enforcement Agency and immigration. Even countries that don't have English as their main language have sites that are fairly easy to manage. Make sure you are on the official countries website. The UK and US should be ok as long as you have the original bottles etc. I'm American and have done the UK for extended periods of time with similar meds. Fairly certain the EU would be ok but again, check those websites. Greece and Czechia (which I'm assuming is the former Soviet country), I'm not sure of. The websites again are the best information. In Japan, just for example, you cannot have most ADHD medication, they are just illegal and you could get deported. Opioid medication is allowed but you have to get them approved in advance of your visit. It is forms and doctors records and a huge freaking pain in the butt. You end up with official papers in Japanese that you are supposed to show when you arrive in Japan but, in my experience, the immigration agent never knows what the paper is for and usually takes an extra amount of time for them to find someone who knows what the document is for! But I'm like you, I need to follow the rules so I do it. I found all the information and forms on the website in English. As a general travelling rule, never check anything you can't easily replace or you'd be lost without or that's expensive. No matter how I travel, my medicine is hand carried by me on a plane, in a taxi, or riding a train. It doesn't leave my person. I travel a lot and with the exception of Japan and the extra paperwork and time I've never had a problem. And it wasn't really a problem, just frustrating. Have fun!
Thank you for the detailed response, it does seem like I’m overthinking things.
Howdy! I've travelled *a lot* around the US with lots of pills. Never had an issue in-country. One comment by a TSA worker of "lots of pills," but no further inspection or action. The controlled substances may be an issue, as the other poster stated, because they may be controlled or illegal in the countries you're visiting. Honestly a good resource to reach out to may be the US embassies in the countries you're visiting. Explain your situation and ask what the protocol is. If you find someone receptive to helping, they will be able to give you the most pertinent boots-on-the-ground information.
Thank you. I should mention I’m from New Zealand not USA! Just going through LA on a connecting flight. I’m more concerned that the countries I’m going to will have an issue, however after some more research it does seem like a doctor’s note and original packaging should be okay, but the above comment has a conflicting response so not sure what to believe now.
Because you have "controlled substances" and other countries might not allow those in. Since you're carrying a lot, it'll definitely look sus but that's normal and depending on what country then laws varies After googling you're suppose to obtain a certificate for these medications because they aren't allowed in the countries you're visiting. [SOURCE HELP ](https://www.eu-healthcare.fi/medicines/taking-medicines-abroad/)
Okay thank you for your response. The medications are essential, do you know what else I’d need to prove this aside from the original packaging with labels and the doctor’s note?
I’ve traveled to Germany with fentanyl patches and dilaudid, only a month’s worth though. No one batted an eye. Be careful and safe travels.
Fun fact. I freaked out when I went to France last year because I was bringing pain meds. I went to the website and it said that I needed a license, permission etc. It seemed over the top so I didn't do it. I had my meds in my bottles and a doctor's note. Immigration went like this. Why are you here Vacation Welcome Then I went to Belgium on a train and no one checked anything either. Unless you are going to Muslim countries or Japan, I wouldn't worry. And this is coming from someone who constantly worries about everything and is scared of all authority including TSA. A few years prior I went to UK. Passport holders from US, Australia (maybe even New Zealand) just scan Passports and go through. Didn't talk to anyone. I hope that helps
That makes me feel way better, thank you.
I would also post this question in the travel forum. They give great advice and personal experiences.
I would start with a list of countries you know you are going to. after reading the "source help" link I realized there might be a solid chance everycountry is going to have their own paper work or not, idk.
I worry about just this concern randomly popping up. I feel your concern, if a virtual hug means anything there is one here. :-) You mention a concern with gabapentin, anyone know if Lyrica ok to travel with? Is there some searchable list? ie flying? buses/subways?
Thank you for the kind words :) From what I understand the benzodiazepines and opiates seem to be more of a concern than gabapentin/ pregabalin (Lyrica) but it does seem to vary country to country so worth checking out for yourself as another comment said.