Morning all. Slightly off topic perhaps but…..
I’m prescribed the ‘classic’ three - statin, blood thinner and beta blocker. I travel frequently and have bought a small travel pill box rather than carrying three separate boxes. Is there any reason why said pills cannot be removed from the packaging so I can just carry the right amount (plus a couple of extras, of course). i.e. do they deteriorate, for example.
I sort mine out at the beginning of the week into small daily boxes, all contained in one larger container.
I think the only thing while travelling abroad would be security. I’ve read on here that it’s advisable to have the original packaging for medication and a copy of your prescription.
If I’m travelling within the UK, I do tend to take the boxes with me as well. Just in case of any unforeseen delays. Though I might be over-cautious!
I suggest you talk to a Pharmacist.
One of my medications does deteriorate when removed from it's packaging
If you are travelling abroad, going through customs and security checks you can be asked what the pills are. It's easier to leave the tablets in their original labelled blister packs to avoid any hassle.
It's also helpful for healthcare professionals to know which medication you're taking if you end up in an emergency situation. It can be difficult to identify which tablets are which.
This particularly important as you are on an anticoagulants.
My husband carries an alert card in his wallet giving details of his anticoagulant medication.
Hi. In total, how many nhs prescription meds are you required to take? If you take 4 or more you can get dosette boxes made up for free by your pharmacist. I get them and they’ve really helped. They are just like the pill boxes that you buy but are great to travel with as everything is labelled and sealed until you take them. I’ve travelled worldwide with them and never had a problem at security as each pill box comes with a pharmacy label inside. They probably won’t include your anticoagulant if it’s warfarin because of the risk of dosage changes after the boxes are made up but if it’s one of the others I can’t see it being a problem. I collect a months worth of boxes each time and having them made up is free as long as you are on 4+ nhs meds. Just an idea
Hi Anon2023,
I'm pleased to hear you can still get your medication made into dosette boxes. My elderly father had his dosette boxes stopped by the pharmacist (Boots) and told they were 'no longer doing them'. At this time my father was in his very late eighties and would absolutely struggle to manage his pills if he had to on his own. He was on meds following two previous strokes, bowel cancer, quintuple (yes 5 artery bypass!) and other problems.
I was fortunate enough his carer so was able to ensure he took his meds regularly but I know this is not the case for many. If you have somewhere this is a service then take it for sure!
I believe when travelling abroad you need to have your paper prescription with you, and your tablets etc, still in their original packets/bottles.
Best wishes 😊
hi. That’s such a shame that they stopped them. I’m only 52 but I was struggling to manage my meds but I take about 14 a day. Like your dad, I’ve also had a stroke so I’ve got a tremor in my hand which made doing the pills difficult and some memory problems. Our pharmacy is an independent so maybe that’s why they still do them. Each dosette box comes with a card enclosed that shows my prescription and a pill identifyer. I’ve been through airports in lots of places including Dubai and India and never had a problem. I always take a copy of my prescription and a letter from my doctor just incase. Xx
Do you mean travelling in the UK or abroad?
75mg dispersible aspirin is slightly hygroscopic and will absorb moisture from the air. If it is removed from its original packaging and you are in a very humid climate this will be quite noticeable. Same if they’re stored in a steamy shower room. Generally speaking any medicines which are going to rapidly deteriorate out of their original packaging will have this clearly marked on the packaging and also on the dispensing label. So you can put them in your travel box but keep them away from heat, light and moisture (and children)
If I am going away for a few days I merely cut out the number I need plus an extra just in case. In this way they are retained in the protective packaging . Without the packaging they could get crushed or absorb moisture. i put the pills into a very small zip bag which can go in the car, pocket or suitcase.
As an addition, if you are going abroad it is sensible to take the medicines in their original packaging together with the accompanying leaflet. if you need more abroad the medicine available may be a different brand.
Pharmacists put tablets into blister packs so I assume this is the same as you putting them into a sealed box.
I've only heard that rule when travelling overseas to keep them in packets or have your prescriptions or a doctor's letter with you to prove that they are for you. Having said that I usually pack mine in pill boxes or plastic bags, to save space. I have been on over 30 cruises and have never had Customs Officers question me even when going to Hawaii.
Whenever travelling, especially abroad take extra in case of delays and always in original packaging (take your dosset boexes too if you want, but empty). Other countries have differing rules regards medications and without the original packaging you could be in serious trouble. Always, wherever ,carrya spare prescription on your person.
Thanks for all your replies. General consensus seems to be to be able to identify them (although the reverse of the blister pack does that) when travelling through a border check (as in my case) and that they’re prescribed to myself, so maybe my idea to store them loose in a pill box is not particularly good! Plus some comments on deterioration when exposed to the atmosphere. I’ll probably continue to just take them in their individual boxes.
Once again thanks for taking the time to read and reply.
Hi at home I have a weekly pill box and pop them out of the foil to fill it, when I go on hols I have small individual ones that I make up before I go and I also take a bag of spares in case of any delay's. The small plastic boxes are marked with the day of the week and they have individual sections for morning, afternoon, evening and bedtime. Every day I pop one in my handbag and that's me organised. I have an alert on my phone so I don't forget to take them. They cost me 47p for 7 from semi chem I find them invaluable when away. Char
I take some of mine out the packaging and put them in daily boxes so I don't need to carry the packets around with me, my spares are in the original foil packaging but not boxes and I pop my prescription in, no one has ever looked at or asked about them. Char
Tablets in weekly plastic box 
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