# us-legal drugs on overseas vacation:  specific questions

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-legal-drugs-on-overseas-vacation-specific-questions/674690>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 24, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-legal-drugs-on-overseas-vacation-specific-questions/674690 "2013-11-24T18:46:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Engywook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bc8723/32.png) [@Engywook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engywook)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-legal-drugs-on-overseas-vacation-specific-questions/674690/1 "2013-11-24T18:46:33Z")

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In about a month I am traveling to the UK and to France. Have not thus far been able to find definitive and recent facts about whether a couple of things might cause problems in my luggage:

1. nicotine replacement therapy, specifically nicorette lozenges (not the patch). If I have this in my pocket, carry-on, or checked luggage, is this going to raise a flag or worse? Also, can I buy nicorette in the UK and France otc? And if not, would carrying a week’s supply raise a flag at customs?

2. cialis. I have an rx and can produce a scrip if needed. Anything I should be aware of before I toss that in my luggage?

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**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-legal-drugs-on-overseas-vacation-specific-questions/674690/2 "2013-11-24T19:08:54Z")

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For prescription meds always carry them in the original bottle with the label clearly legible. If it’s not have your doctor provide you with a copy of the prescription.

For OTC meds i’ve never had issues with enough to cover the duration of my trip. I wish you luck with vacationing in Europe while trying to quit smoking though.

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**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-legal-drugs-on-overseas-vacation-specific-questions/674690/3 "2013-11-24T23:11:50Z")

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Nicorette shouldn’t be any problem while in transit, and you can buy it here (UK) very easily. It’s just on the shelf in the supermarket. I’ll be in France in a couple of weeks, if I remember I’ll keep an eye out for it if you want and report back.

Cialis I have no experience with, but it’s common enough here too. Follow **Moonlitherial** ’s advice about keeping it in the packaging with the prescription, and you shouldn’t have a problem with most medication.