Traveling to the US with Medicines

[reilena 9]

Hello everyone!

I'm finally done with my K1 journey (for now) and in the process of packing up. I just learned (and I was really surprised) that contact lens and birth control pills can't be sold without prescription in the US. This became a concern since I just bought 6 pairs of contact lens and pills for the next 6 months so I won't have to worry early on about stuff like these when I arrive in the US.

In the Philippines, birth control pills are sold over the counter and so are contact lenses so I do not have a prescription for these items (although I have checked with my doctors before I started using them and doctors are not mandated to hand over the prescription to you). I'm worried that these will be confiscated once I arrive in LAX? How do I go about it?

Please advise! Thank you!

[kzielu 1,149]

Don't know about birth control, but I am routinely bringing back contact lenses whenever I am coming back from Poland. Never had any issues.

[reilena 9]

Don't know about birth control, but I am routinely bringing back contact lenses whenever I am coming back from Poland. Never had any issues.

okay, at least one concern down. Phew! Thank you

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

we have to put all medicines in zip lock bags and if prescibed drugs have to have doctor label on bottle

i doubt anyone will take these away but put the pills in baggies at least

and about being prescibed, your new husband has to buy health insurance for you / thanks to Obama !!! and you will be getting a yearly physical where your new doctor will write your prescription for the following year. And you should see eye doctor as often for any changes to your eyes'

these 2 things are the smallest of the changes you will go thru

my gf from the Philippines joined a group here of others like her to help with the adjustments

you will love us and US

[TRUSTNOONE 8]

Hello everyone!

I'm finally done with my K1 journey (for now) and in the process of packing up. I just learned (and I was really surprised) that contact lens and birth control pills can't be sold without prescription in the US. This became a concern since I just bought 6 pairs of contact lens and pills for the next 6 months so I won't have to worry early on about stuff like these when I arrive in the US.

In the Philippines, birth control pills are sold over the counter and so are contact lenses so I do not have a prescription for these items (although I have checked with my doctors before I started using them and doctors are not mandated to hand over the prescription to you). I'm worried that these will be confiscated once I arrive in LAX? How do I go about it?

Please advise! Thank you!

I've brought back birth control from Morocco before and never had a problem. It's something you would travel with anyway. Even though we need prescriptions it's not a controlled substance per se.

[reilena 9]

I've brought back birth control from Morocco before and never had a problem. It's something you would travel with anyway. Even though we need prescriptions it's not a controlled substance per se.

Ahh, that's such a relief to hear! Thank you so much!

[apple21 953]

I brought birth control pills without prescription and it wasn't an issue.

[Shauneg 762]

I would worry more about prescription drugs that people can sell or abuse to high...schedule 2 and 3 drugs. Common ones as yours aren't a problem as they pose no health or legal risk.

[VOL 425]

You better stock up on birth control pills, they run about 200 peso in Philippines. I buy either Bayer or Pfizzer brand in PI.

In USA probably gonna run you at least 4500 peso per doctor visit (Cash Price) and around 1000 peso each months supply of pills.

We have never encountered issues bringing in pills from Philippines to USA.

[VOL 425]

I suggest go to a dentist in Philippines and get teeth cleaned and and fillings or crowns (jackets) done their.

Dental cost in USA versus Philippines is about 30 to 100 times more expensive..

[Chalandrae 31]

Hello,

You shouldn't have any problems with your birth control pills.

I brought a 6 months supplies of BC pills, Synthroid. And about 3 month supply of codeine as I suffer from horrible tensions headaches. My doctor wrote a note stating what they were for and I had the prescription bottle/packages.

Oh. Also if you use toothpastes and mouthrinse with more fluoride than usual, make sure you bring some more. Thank god I came here the week before my interview because we found out you need a prescription for that stuff!!

[Shauneg 762]

I suggest go to a dentist in Philippines and get teeth cleaned and and fillings or crowns (jackets) done their.

Dental cost in USA versus Philippines is about 30 to 100 times more expensive..

Dentists are almost too cheap in the Philippines...

[Jawaree 717]

Unless its dozens of contacts they wont be taken, re birth control (not sure) but

I would suggest not to bring more than 60-90 days supply...I say that since prescribed

drugs for those migrating can be allowed in that amount...If you use the sponge its

no longer allowed in the US due to TSS

[Shauneg 762]

Unless its dozens of contacts they wont be taken, re birth control (not sure) but

I would suggest not to bring more than 60-90 days supply...I say that since prescribed

drugs for those migrating can be allowed in that amount...If you use the sponge its

no longer allowed in the US due to TSS

He might be sponge worthy.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Bringing medications are rarely an issue. Just remember to keep everything in it's original container.