I have meds I have to take every day or I will die in 3 to 7 days (Immune system suppressants). I also take pain killers for arthritis.

In the USA prescription meds have never been a problem when going through security or customs, but I wonder if anyone has ever had any trouble transiting through Jo'burg or Bulawayo with prescriptions drugs?

BH63

I take a very small dose of blood pressure med daily, along with Aleve for arthritis, a baby aspirin, and fish oil everyday, and that's what I took to Africa 3 times so far. Haven't had any issues whatsoever, and I keep it in my carry on.

You can take prescription meds. You should have a copy of the prescriptions signed by your Dr. Make sure your meds and the letter from Dr. Are with your carry on. You will be fine. I have traveled with my meds many times with no issues at all.

Just get a written note from your doctor, describing what meds you take, and keep it on you.You shouldn't have to worry, your there to have a great time!

Recommend you take your meds in their original prescription containers (or in their OTC bottle/package) instead of putting them in some generic container--i.e., like a 7-day morning/evening pill box or something else that's not "official."

In general, prescriptions are not an issue, but it would help to be a bit cognizant of the rules in another country.

As an example, the allergy pill Benadryl is over the counter in the US, but is a controlled substance in Zambia.

I would be very cautious about taking narcotics like Percocet or Tylenol with codiene over there without at least checking with someone from that country that they don't have issues with you bringing a small amount with appropriate documentation. Ideally their embassy would be able to answer that.

Never had a problem in SA, ZIM, NZ, or the US. Never even been asked. I do agree about the original comtainers. No sense looking to start a conversation.

I've been to Africa 11 times. RSA, Zim, Namibia and Botswana. I get headaches often and take a prescription med for relief. I normally pack all my prescription meds in their original bottles but my OTC stuff just goes in old med bottles with labels removed. I take quite a selection of various OTC headache meds with me and have never had anyone question me. All the meds are packed in my carryon.

I did have one customs guy in Namibia question me about some packs of Lance snack crackers that were in my carryon. He just didn't understand what they were. I opened a pack and ate one cracker and gave him the rest. That solved the problem.

Thanks for all the good advice.

My pain meds (for arthritis) I can live without (albeit painfully). My immune suppressants are vital to my survival. I will certainly use the original prescription containers and get a note from my doctor for the immune suppressants.

BTW Does anyone know the best current anti-malarial medicine now prescribed? I think I used Malarone back in 2004, but there might have been improvements since then.

Thanks.

BH63

Malarone is the standard of care.

If you are not worried about a photo sensitivity reaction, doxycycline works and has the benefit of preventing some tick borne illnesses.

I got a form from our local health department that had places for a list of my vaccination records and prescription meds that my physicians office completed and I carry it with my passport, but I also carry them [prescription meds} in their original bottles. I had a stretch where I was having Kidney stones and I traveled with narcotics with me just in case and never had a problem with the original bottle and a copy of the prescription in hand.

Malarone is the standard but I tried it once and found I couldn't sleep while on the drug. It just kept me up all night. The only way I could get some sleep was to take a sleeping pill (Ambien). I stopped taking the Malarone and immediately the problem when away. I now use Doxycycline. It's an antibiotic and also helps with some of the other stuff you might be exposed to in Africa.

Doxy supposedly makes you more sensitive to sun burn but I've never experienced that problem. Just use a good sunscreen.

bf63,

Take your prescription drugs in original bottles and you'll be fine. OTC stuff in the same.

Mark

Again, thanks for all the good information.

BH63

I took 7 prescriptions to RSA on Apr 26th. No one looks and no one cares.

Yup....just got back. No one cared one bit about meds in my carry on or checked luggage.

16 trips to Africa as a diabetic and meds and needles were never an issue. The script number is on each container. I would suggest keeping ALL of your meds with you in your carryon to avoid the problem of a lost bag.
Cal.

^

I always do that, plus I put extra meds in my checked baggage.

Thanks.

BH63

I second taking a copy of the prescriptions, but another word of caution. I only take what I'll need for the trip and keep everything in the original bottle. Your pharmacist can help you with a small bottle. I wouldn't want to shake some custom official up with a bottle for one drug and five different pills in it.

Or, like my Allopurinol that comes in three month allotments. No need to make it look like you are trafficking. Not that there's a big market in Allopurinol.

You should be ok taking them in original bottles But if you are a belt and suspenders guy by all means get a script form or Dr.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
I second taking a copy of the prescriptions, but another word of caution. I only take what I'll need for the trip and keep everything in the original bottle. Your pharmacist can help you with a small bottle. I wouldn't want to shake some custom official up with a bottle for one drug and five different pills in it.

Or, like my Allopurinol that comes in three month allotments. No need to make it look like you are trafficking. Not that there's a big market in Allopurinol.

Especially so if you are venturing to those paranoid countries down under.