Can you take medicines and medical supplies through airport security?

Start with the airport and product

Make a list of the medicine or supplement, its form and container size, and any equipment you need. Check the departure, transfer and return airports. Ask the airline about its own rules for carrying each item.

Prescription medicines, supplements and foods may be treated differently. Do not assume a medicine exception covers a protein drink, powder or unapproved product. For a peptide product or seller-defined stack, identify each declared ingredient and form before asking about screening and carriage. Check each country’s rules separately; see research-peptide handling and travel.12

An example: UK airport guidance

As checked on 4 November 2026, GOV.UK says essential liquid medicine in a container over 100 ml needs proof that it was prescribed to the traveller, such as a prescription copy or clinician letter. Its table allows hypodermic syringes and cooling gel packs in hand luggage, but says to contact the airport about ice packs. Staff may need to inspect liquids. This is UK airport guidance, not a rule for every airport or border.1

A US example: diabetes supplies

In US travel advice dated 15 May 2024, the CDC says people with diabetes can carry liquids over 3.4 US fluid ounces through airport security in hand luggage. Its examples include liquid medicines, juice for low blood sugar and gel packs used to cool insulin. This example concerns diabetes supplies; it does not establish an exception for every supplement or airport. Check current TSA screening requirements before travel. Airline, border and storage requirements are separate.

The CDC also says insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors may be damaged by X-ray equipment, and that travellers can ask for a hand inspection without disconnecting the device. Check the instructions for your exact device and the current process at your departure airport before travel.6

Needles and injectable medicines: a US example

The CDC’s 2025 travel-medicine guidance says insulin needles and injectable epinephrine are not restricted on US domestic travel. It says medically necessary injectable medicines should be presented at US security screening. Needles may prompt questions at an international destination; the CDC suggests preparing a clinician’s note for travel abroad.

This is a CDC summary, not a direct check of current TSA item pages or an exception for every injectable product. Check the screening authority, airline and each country’s import rules for your exact medicine and equipment.3

Needles and syringes: an Australian example

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration says travellers carrying needles or syringes should have a doctor’s letter or medical certificate, present their documentation at screening and notify cabin crew when boarding. Its guidance says empty syringes are allowed in carry-on baggage only when the associated medicine is also carried. It describes taking enough for the flight plus some extra for delays.

Check current screening and airline requirements for each airport and flight, as well as storage and import rules. See the Australia travel guide.9

If a medical condition affects US screening

The CDC’s 2025 travel guidance says people whose disabilities or medical conditions affect US security screening may use a TSA notification card to communicate with officers. Additional screening may still be required. The CDC lists TSA Cares at 855-787-2227 and Telecommunications Relay Service 711 for questions.

This guidance is about US screening. It does not give permission to carry a particular item or enter another country. The linked TSA assistance and card pages could not be checked directly for this edition; confirm current availability and procedures with TSA before travel.7

Other countries and changing rules

Check the official security authority for each departure and transfer airport, and check the airline directly. Customs and controlled-medicine rules are separate.

The TSA pages attempted for this edition returned an access error. The US diabetes example above therefore relies on CDC guidance, not a direct check of current TSA procedures. The linked TSA contact page also returned an access error, so its current content and availability were not verified.238

Prepare for inspection without compromising storage

Keep the labelled container and any documents requested by the authority accessible. If your medicine needs a particular temperature, plan with your pharmacist and airline for screening and delays. A cooling pack allowed through security does not prove the medicine stayed within its required range. See travelling with cold medicines.14

Medical devices: check the particular pump

For an insulin pump, the US FDA advises checking the device’s user guide and asking the supplier before travel. Find out whether the pump can go through screening equipment or needs a manual check. If the supplier recommends avoiding scanners, tell the TSA officer; the FDA says alternative screening will be conducted.

The FDA also recommends keeping insulin and pump supplies in hand luggage because checked bags can be delayed, lost or damaged. These are US recommendations for a particular type of device. Check your own device, airline and departure airport.512

Protein powders and prepared drinks

A dry protein powder and a ready-to-drink shake are different items for screening. Check the official rules at departure and transfer airports for each form and container, as well as the airline’s conditions. Do not assume a medicine exception covers an ordinary supplement or food.

A shake with perishable ingredients still needs safe storage during travel; see protein powder and shake storage. Check food-import rules separately at your destination and any transit country.512