Prescribed Drugs

[zx6r]

I have been prescribed certain medication during my trip to Orlando this year prior to an operation in August for a herniated disc. The medication is Pethadine, Dyhydrocodine, Diazapam as pain killers & muscle relaxents, Diclofenac as an anti-inflamatory, the previous 3 drugs are all restricted drugs apprently in the States ( probably the U.K. as well ) Would this be problem taking them thru' USA customs
any info would be greatly and painfully!! appreciated.

[blott]

Sorry to hear about your back - unfortunately been there, done that but came out the other side so don't give up.

Cripes, can you stay awake with taking that lot? Driving could be very dangerous as they're all separately sleep inducers which will be much magnified if you're taking all four at once during the day. Yes they are restricted!

If you have a look at this thread, you'll see some links on the first page which lead to info about the regulations for exporting controlled drugs (pethidine is certainly one) from the UK and about declaring them to Customs in the USA. http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_15956.asp

When you're looking them up, they're spelt pethidine, dihydrocodeine - just telling you that as they're on alphabetical lists.

Please make sure that your travel insurance provider knows full info about your condition or you may find yourself without cover unexpectedly and the USA is the last place to have a medical emergency to find yourself without insurance cover.

[domster]

Blott is right.

Have seen someone not covered for skiing (heli lift) because they did not declare and injury to the insurance company. For the sake of a phone call it is not worth the risk.

[CarolAnn]

Although my drug is NOT restricted in the US, I always carry a letter from my Doctor and the supplier of the medication, as I carry hypodermic needles and the med has to be kept at a certain temp too, I also inform the carrier every year. From that perspective, I try to cover all bases!
Diclofenac is no problem at all I have carried that on numerous trips, prone to muscle spasms.

[IanW]

You can ask your GP for a letter but they may charge you for this. Alternatively, if they are on repeat you could take your repeat sheet to show you have them regularly and keep them in the boxes with your name on.
Ian

[zx6r]

The insurers have been informed of the problems with my back, but at the time I did not know the severity, it was only yesterday that I had a results from the MRI & CT scans, the insurers will be informed on Monday after a further consultation with my GP to ensure I have the correct drugs for the problem - and yes Blott is correct they do make you drowsy
but only if you have 14 cans of Miller with them!! But I dont drive like that tho

[noo]

If you are taking the drugs you listed I would check with the Florida dring regulations as you may have some difficulties if you were unlucky enough to have an accident,and you would be advised to get a letter from your GP as well as taking your repeat prescription.

[DiannaUK]

I travel to Florida regularly and I take regular medication with me (some which is very strong and might otherwise be considered suspect) but I have never had a problem - I always take my repeat prescription form with me which has my name and address and the name of my GP and this has always been sufficient.

The best thing is to tell them you have it rather than for them to find it as this supports the fact that it is all above board.

Dianna

[Ray&Sarah]

My parents take alot of prescribed drugs away with them, we make jokes about them getting pulled in for being drug dealers. They do the same as a couple of people have mentioned and take their repeat prescriptions with them to show. Actually came in handy the year before last when my Dad had continual nose bleeds that had to be treated at the hospital, they asked about medication he was on and he could show the repeat prescriptions, making the process alot quicker.[msnsmile2]

[blott]

Just to explain that some of the drugs that zx6r is taking aren't just strong drugs, they're controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Heroin and other opiates are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Heroin is treated as a Class A drug.

Morphine, opium, methadone, pethidine and Diconal are also Class A drugs under the Act. Codeine and dihydrocodeine (DF118) are Class B drugs and Temgesic and Distalgesic are Class C drugs.

The Home Office website has full details on what you can and can't take out the country. http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsP...document#P7_72