How to Clear Security with Liquid Medications and Supplies at the Airport

Traveling with liquid medications doesn’t have to be a stress-filled ordeal. Millions of people fly every year with insulin, chemotherapy drugs, EpiPens, or other essential liquid medicines-and most of them get through security without a hitch. But if you’ve ever been pulled aside at the checkpoint, asked to open your bag, or watched your vials go through the X-ray machine while the officer stared confusedly, you know how messy it can get. The good news? The rules are clear. The bad news? Not every TSA officer knows them. Here’s how to make sure you’re one of the ones who breeze through.

Know What’s Allowed

The TSA lets you bring liquid medications in any quantity, no matter how big the bottle. That means your 100 mL insulin vials? Your 8 oz bottle of oral steroid solution? Your 16 oz bag of feeding formula? All perfectly legal. The 3.4-ounce rule that applies to shampoo, toothpaste, and lotion? It doesn’t apply to you. Medications are exempt. This includes:

• Prescription liquids (insulin, liquid antibiotics, pain meds)
• Injectables (EpiPens, GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic, injectable hormones)
• Prescription creams and gels (for eczema, psoriasis, or joint pain)
• Medical supplements like liquid electrolytes or feeding formulas

Solid pills? No limits there either. You can bring 100 tablets, 500 capsules, or a month’s supply in your carry-on. No need to count them. No need to declare them-unless they’re controlled substances like opioids or stimulants. Then you’ll need your prescription handy.

Keep Them in Original Containers

This is the single most important step. Don’t transfer your meds into unlabeled pill organizers, small travel bottles, or plastic bags. Over 60% of delays at security in 2024 happened because officers couldn’t verify what the liquid was. TSA officers aren’t pharmacists. They need to see the pharmacy label: your name, the drug name, the prescriber’s name, and the pharmacy’s contact info.

If you’re worried about bulk, here’s what works: keep your medications in their original bottles, but pack them together in a single clear zip-top bag. Not the same bag as your shampoo and toothpaste-this is your meds-only bag. Keep it in an outer pocket of your carry-on so you can grab it fast. No need to put it in the 3-1-1 bag. Don’t mix them. Don’t hide them. Just lay them out.

Declare Them Before Screening

Don’t wait for the officer to ask. As soon as you walk up to the checkpoint, say it out loud: “I have liquid medications in my bag.” Make eye contact. Be calm. This simple step cuts your screening time in half. According to Johns Hopkins research, travelers who declare upfront pass through in under 2 minutes. Those who don’t? They average 4.7 minutes-sometimes longer.

If you’re carrying something unusual-a glucagon kit, a syringe with a vial, a cooler with ice packs-say that too. “I have an emergency glucagon kit” or “I have a small cooler for insulin.” Officers hear this all the time. They’re trained for it. But they won’t know unless you tell them.

Ice Packs and Coolers: What You Can Bring

If you need to keep your meds cold, ice packs are allowed-but they can’t be solid when they go through the X-ray. The TSA says frozen ice packs must be melted before screening. That doesn’t mean you have to thaw them at home. Just take them out of your cooler 10 minutes before you get to the checkpoint. Let them sit on the counter while you take off your shoes. By the time you reach the belt, they should be slushy or liquid. If they’re still frozen, the officer will ask you to open the cooler and inspect the contents. That’s fine. Just be ready.

Coolers must be small-no bigger than 8x6x2 inches. That’s about the size of a lunchbox. No large insulated bags. No dry ice. If you’re flying internationally, check the airline’s rules too. Some airlines restrict coolers in the cabin.

Bring Documentation-Just in Case

You don’t need a doctor’s note for most meds. But if you’re carrying controlled substances (like oxycodone, Adderall, or benzodiazepines), bring a copy of your prescription. Even better: print out a list. Include:

• Drug name (generic and brand)
• Dosage and frequency
• Prescribing doctor’s name and phone number
• Pharmacy name and number
• Condition being treated (optional but helpful)

Store it on your phone or carry a printed copy. You don’t need to hand it over unless asked. But if you’re questioned, having it ready avoids confusion. One traveler in Atlanta was held for 22 minutes because the officer didn’t recognize his glucagon pen. He didn’t have a list. He didn’t know the name of the drug. He panicked. He got through-but not without stress.

What Doesn’t Work

Here are the top mistakes travelers make:

• Putting meds in the 3-1-1 bag. This confuses officers. They think you’re trying to hide them.
• Using unlabeled containers. Even if it’s your own pill organizer, if it doesn’t have a label, it’s a red flag.
• Waiting until you’re screened to say you have meds. That’s when delays spike.
• Trying to sneak extra meds into your checked bag. Checked luggage gets lost. You don’t want your insulin sitting in a cargo hold for 8 hours.
• Not bringing enough for the whole trip. Always pack extra. Flight delays happen.

What to Expect at the Checkpoint

Once you declare your meds, here’s what usually happens:

1. You hand over your meds bag to the officer.
2. They may ask you to open the bottles or show the labels.
3. They’ll screen each item individually-either by X-ray or by swabbing for traces.
4. They’ll return your meds to you. No need to repack them.
5. You’re done.

Most of the time, it takes less than 90 seconds. If they ask to swab your hands or your bag, that’s normal. It’s not a sign you’re suspected of anything. It’s routine for all liquids.

If they seem unsure, stay calm. Say: “These are my prescription medications. They’re exempt from the 3.4-ounce limit. I’m happy to show you the labels.” Most officers will nod and move on. A few might need to call a supervisor. That’s okay. It happens. You’re not doing anything wrong.

Special Cases: Insulin, EpiPens, and Medical Devices

Insulin users: You can bring vials, pens, and pumps. No limits. Keep them with you. Don’t check them. If you’re using a pump, tell the officer. Some pumps have batteries that need to be removed for screening. Ask ahead of time if you’re unsure.

EpiPens: These are allowed. No restrictions. You can carry two or three. They’re not considered weapons. Don’t remove them from their cases unless asked.

Glucagon kits: These are emergency meds. If you have one, say so. Officers are trained to recognize them. But if they don’t, show them the label. It says “Glucagon” right on it.

Hearing aids, nebulizers, oxygen tanks? All allowed. Declare them. Same process.

What’s Changing in 2025

The TSA is rolling out a new program called Medical Traveler Pre-Check. Starting in September 2025, frequent travelers with chronic conditions can sign up for a voluntary registry. If you’re approved, you’ll get a special lane at 12 major U.S. airports. Screening time drops from 3.2 minutes to under 1.1 minutes. The system uses AI to recognize common medications by label and container shape. Trials at Dallas/Fort Worth reduced screening errors by 41%.

This won’t replace the need to declare your meds-but it will make things faster. If you fly often with liquid meds, keep an eye out for the application link on the TSA website.

Final Tips

- Practice packing your meds bag before your trip. Do it the night before. Make sure everything’s labeled and visible.

- Always carry more than you think you’ll need. A 7-day trip? Bring 10 days’ worth.

- Never put meds in checked luggage. Always keep them in your carry-on.

- If you’re flying internationally, check the destination country’s rules. Some countries restrict certain meds-even if they’re legal in the U.S.

- Bring a small wet bag for spills. Insulin vials break. It happens.

- If you’re nervous, arrive 30 minutes earlier than usual. Give yourself room.

You’re not asking for special treatment. You’re asking for the right to stay healthy while you travel. That’s not a privilege. It’s a necessity. And the rules are on your side.