If you are considering travel these days, and you take medications on a daily basis, you may have questions about what is acceptable to bring aboard an airline. The TSA has rules and guidelines in place that exist to protect people, not to inconvenience people. It is best to familiarize yourself with the rules before you travel. If you know the rules and regulations, you can prepare yourself so that you have all the medications that you need with you.
Medications in pill and solid form are allowed in unlimited quantities as long as they are screened. You do not have to present your medications in pill or solid form to the TSA agents; they will be screened through the x-ray machine. If you do not want your medications screened this way, you may request an inspection before the medications are put through the x-ray machine.
Liquid Medications are allowed in reasonable quantities in a carry on bag, but you must present the medications to a TSA officer at the start of the screening process. These medically required liquids may be subject to extra screening. You may be asked to open the bottles containing the liquid medications. Medications in both liquid and pill form can be both carried on the airplane, or put in checked baggage. Even though it is fine to check your medications, it is usually a good idea to have the medications in your carryon baggage so that you can have access to them quickly if you need them, and in the event that your luggage is lost you won’t be without your necessary medications.
TSA does not require medications to be in their original prescription bottles; however, different states have different laws pertaining to transporting medications. To avoid confusion of medications or possible non adherence to state laws, it is a good idea to keep your medications in their bottles, and also all in one place. A locked pill bag is the safest way to travel with medications.