Travelling to the US with codeine-based medicines
I'm travelling to the US next month, and I'd like to take my codeine-based painkillers with me. In the UK these are available without a prescription, over the counter from a pharmacist. (It isn't just available in any old supermarket like some painkillers, but can just be sold in a pharmacy under supervision from the pharmacist, no Doctor involved)
I see from this CBP advice that prescription medication must have a prescription label attached, but presumably this applies to medicines that are only available on prescription in the US. So my question is twofold:
- Can I bring my codeine-based painkillers to the US without a prescription?
- More generally, is there a list of medicines that are commonly available in other parts of the world but restricted in the US?
Best Answer
Tylenol with codeine can be brought into the USA without a prescription. The catch is you can only bring in the bottle with 50 pills. You can't bring in the 100 or 159 pill quantity.
How do I know? I brought in a bottle with 100 once and the CBP officer said we could only bring in the 50 quantity bottles.
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Can I travel with medicine to USA?
In general, you should have with you a valid prescription or doctor's note\u2014written in English\u2014to bring medication to the U.S. The medication should be in its original container with the doctor's instructions printed on the bottle.Can you take prescription narcotic medication on a plane?
All prescription medicines are allowed on airplanes, whether in a carry-on or checked bag. There is no limit to the amount of medications in pill or solid form that you can bring.Do you have to declare prescription drugs at customs?
If your medications or devices are not in their original containers, you must have a copy of your prescription with you or a letter from your doctor. A valid prescription or doctors note is required on all medication entering the United States.How can I legally travel with medication?
Carry all of your medication \u2014 even vitamins and supplements \u2014 in their original, clearly marked containers or packaging in a clear plastic bag in carry on luggage. Make sure the name on the prescription, the medicine container and your passport (or one for the recepient of the medication) all match.Medicines with Codeine: Advice for Pharmacists
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