Traveling Internationally? It Could Be Illegal to Bring Along These Medications, According to a Pharmacist

As summer travel season gears up, 77% of Americans plan to pack prescription medications for their trips. However, nearly half fail to check whether their medications are legal in their destination countries. Additionally, over a quarter of Americans have had medications confiscated during international travel, according to a May 2024 survey by SingleCare.

"Certain medications commonly prescribed in the United States might be illegal or strictly regulated in other countries," warns Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois, PharmD, a pharmacy and health expert based in Dallas-Fort Worth. Here are important details to consider.

4 Types of Medications That May Be Illegal for International Travel

1. Narcotics and Opioids Medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine are heavily regulated or banned in many countries due to their potential for abuse.

2. Psychotropic Drugs Drugs for mental health conditions, such as amphetamines (Adderall), benzodiazepines (Xanax), and certain antidepressants, may be restricted.

3. Medicinal Cannabis Even if legal in some U.S. states, cannabis and cannabis-derived products are illegal in many countries.

4. Strong Painkillers Strong painkillers, such as tramadol, are restricted in some countries.

How to Check Legality Before Traveling

"Bringing prohibited medications into a foreign country can lead to serious consequences, such as confiscation, fines, and possible arrest," Dr. Bourgeois warns. Legal issues can also cause delays and complications in travel plans. Before packing your prescriptions, check your destination country’s embassy or consulate websites and laws regarding medication. You may also consult your doctor, pharmacist, or travel agent for advice.

What to Know Before Packing Prescriptions

Even if your medications are permitted, follow these guidelines:

• Carry a copy of your prescription or a medical document signed by your doctor. Keep all medications in their original packaging with the prescription label visible. Ensure the name on the prescription matches your passport.
• Carry only the quantity needed for your trip plus a small buffer. Exceeding personal use quantities can raise suspicions.
• Declare your medications at customs if required. Keep all medications in your carry-on luggage to ensure access during travel delays.

Additional Medication Travel Tips

1. Keep Time Zones in Mind Taking daily medications for chronic conditions can be confusing when traveling across time zones. Take medications according to your last dose, not the local time.

2. Check OTC Rules Over-the-counter medications like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) are prohibited in some countries, such as Japan and Mexico.

3. Don’t Buy From Non-Pharmacy Sellers Avoid purchasing medications outside of pharmacies to prevent buying counterfeit drugs.

4. Stock Up on Staples Before traveling, stock up on over-the-counter medications and travel-sized pharmacy items like antidiarrheals, motion sickness meds, allergy medicines, and pain relievers.

5. Understand Disease Risks Understand the risk of diseases in your destination countries. Diseases like Hepatitis A, yellow fever, and typhoid can be prevented through vaccinations. Consult your pharmacist about vaccine-preventable diseases and request a travel health consultation.

Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for comment.