Yes — you can bring medicine in carry-on; pills are fine, and liquid medications can exceed 3.4 oz when declared and screened.
Not Allowed
Conditional
Allowed
Carry-On
- Keep all daily meds with you.
- Pull liquid meds for inspection.
- Labels help speed the check.
Hand Bag
Checked Bag
- Permitted but risky to access.
- Heat/cold swings possible.
- Never check must-take meds.
Use Sparingly
Special Handling
- Syringes with medication only.
- Gel ice packs for cooling meds.
- Insulin pumps: tell the officer.
Declare It
What The Rules Say
Solid medication is allowed in your cabin bag in any amount. Liquid medication can exceed 3.4 oz (100 ml) when you tell the officer and place it in a separate bin for screening. That includes gels and aerosols used as medicine. See the TSA page for liquid meds and the listing for pills.
Cooling packs used with medicine are fine in carry-on. When they’re medically needed, ice or gel packs may be soft or slushy and still pass once inspected. See the TSA note on gel ice packs.
Quick Status By Item
| Medication / Item | Carry-On Status | What To Do At Security |
|---|---|---|
| Pills, tablets, capsules | Allowed | Keep with you; no quantity cap; screening by X-ray. |
| Liquid medications | Allowed >3.4 oz | Declare; place separately for inspection. |
| Inhalers / nebulizer meds | Allowed | Tell the officer; expect quick visual check. |
| Epinephrine auto-injectors | Allowed | Keep accessible; labeling helps. |
| Insulin, syringes, pens | Allowed | Bring with insulin; declare syringes. |
| Used sharps | Allowed | Carry in a hard sharps container. |
| Gel or ice packs for meds | Allowed | OK even if slushy when tied to meds. |
| Powder meds >12 oz/350 ml | Allowed | Separate for extra screening if needed. |
Bringing Prescription Medication In Your Carry-On Bag: What To Expect
Before packing, set aside everything you’ll need during the flight. Daily doses stay in the cabin bag. Backup supply can ride there too. If a bag gets gate-checked, you’ll still have your meds at your seat.
At the checkpoint, pull larger liquid meds and cooling packs into a small pouch or tray. Tell the officer you have medically necessary liquids. They may swab the outside, ask you to open a container, or use other screening. That’s normal and quick. The same goes for inhalers and EpiPens. TSA outlines this process on its travel tips page and medication FAQ.
Using syringes or pens? Unused syringes are fine when they travel with injectable medication. Used ones go in a rigid sharps container. See TSA entries for unused syringes and used syringes.
Pack Smart For Screening
- Keep meds in your hand bag, never only in checked luggage.
- Put liquid meds and gel packs in a small pouch so you can lift them out fast.
- Original containers are not required by TSA; a printed label or copy of the script speeds things up.
- Leave non-medical liquids in the quart bag; medical liquids stay out for separate screening.
- Bring a simple list of drug names and doses. Generic names help abroad.
Devices And Supplies That Fly Without Drama
Inhalers sail through. So do EpiPens and eye drops. Many travelers fly with insulin pumps or a CGM. Tell the officer about attached devices before screening. If you prefer a pat-down over a body scanner for your device, say so. See TSA guidance for medical devices at screening.
Cooling needs? Pair your medicine with gel packs or a small insulated sleeve. Medical ice packs tied to meds are fine even if partially melted once inspected. That detail appears on the TSA page for gel ice packs.
Powders, Sprays, And Oddballs
Powder meds above 12 oz/350 ml may get extra screening and must be pulled out. That threshold is spelled out in the TSA powder policy. Prescription nasal sprays and aerosol inhalers count as medical. Declare and carry on.
What About International Flights?
Rules for medicine are broadly similar across many regions, yet officers may ask for proof when liquid meds exceed local limits. In the UK, essential liquid medicines over 100 ml are allowed when you show a script or a doctor’s letter. See the UK page on medicines in hand luggage.
Across the EU, essential medicines and baby food can exceed 100 ml for the trip; be ready to show authenticity on request. See the European Commission’s note for air travellers.
Flying from or to other regions? Some medicines that are common at home may be controlled elsewhere. The CDC keeps a practical page on traveling abroad with medicine that links to country contacts. Carry the prescription, a brief letter if needed, and stick to personal-use quantities.
Paperwork That Helps
- Printed prescription label or a copy of your prescription.
- A short doctor’s note for high-volume liquids or injectables.
- Device card for pumps or CGMs.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Putting daily meds in checked luggage.
- Hiding liquid meds inside the 3-1-1 bag; they should be pulled out and declared.
- Traveling with used needles loose; pack a small sharps container.
- Letting gel packs warm up without a backup; use two small packs and rotate at the gate.
- Arriving with mystery liquids in unlabeled bottles; a label or script copy speeds the line.
Carry-On Vs Checked: Smart Placement
Carry-on keeps access, protects from temperature swings, and avoids lost-bag headaches. Checked bags can hold extra non-urgent supplies if you like, yet never stash must-take items there. Respiratory oxygen rules vary by airline; portable oxygen concentrators need airline approval and screening steps, so check your carrier’s page first.
Cooling, Storage, And Spill Safety
Use compact gel packs around vials or pens. Wrap bottles so labels don’t rub off with condensation. A rigid case protects glass. For syringes, a travel-size sharps container avoids needle mishaps; the FDA explains safe travel disposal on its sharps page.
Packing Checklist For Medicine
| Item | Why It Helps | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Daily meds + spare doses | Access mid-flight and during delays | Pack two days extra in your purse or small pouch. |
| Printed labels / script copy | Faster screening and border checks | Snap a photo of labels as a backup. |
| Liquid meds pouch | Easy to declare and separate | Use a zip pouch that opens wide. |
| Gel or ice packs | Keeps temperature-sensitive meds cool | Pair with a slim insulated sleeve. |
| Rigid case for vials | Stops cracks and leaks | Line with soft cloth to prevent rattle. |
| Sharps container | Safe storage for used needles | Choose a small, lockable model. |
| Device cards | Explains pumps or CGMs | Keep with your ID for quick show-and-tell. |
| Doctor’s note (if needed) | Supports high-volume liquids | One short sentence is enough. |
Quick Answers To Edge Cases
Can I Use A Pill Organizer?
Yes. TSA doesn’t require original containers. A labeled box or a small bag with labeled sleeves keeps things tidy. A printed label or photo of the script still helps during screening.
What If My Liquid Med Exceeds 3.4 oz?
That’s fine. Tell the officer, pull it out for inspection, and fly on. Meds, creams, gels, and aerosols used as medicine can exceed the usual limit when screened separately.
Do I Need To Prove It’s Medicine?
In the U.S., officers may ask simple questions and may test a sample non-destructively. Labels or a script copy make that fast. In the UK and many other places, proof is expected if the bottle is larger than 100 ml.
Who Can Help If I Need Extra Support?
TSA Cares can arrange assistance through the checkpoint. Call 72 hours ahead; the contact sits on TSA’s TSA Cares page.
Bottom Line For Smooth Travel
Put all must-take meds in your carry-on, keep liquid meds ready to declare, and bring a label or script copy. That’s the playbook that works in busy lines and on long connections.