The 5 medications that could see you JAILED if you take them on holiday this summer – including hay fever pills
But be warned, some common drugs, including antihistamines and painkillers, could land you with hefty fines or even jail time in certain countries.
2
While these meds are legal to buy over the counter in the UK, they're banned or tightly restricted in several countries.
And being caught with them, even by accident, can mean your dream holiday turns into a nightmare.
Here's what to watch out for:
1. Antihistamines
Hay fever sufferers, take note.
Japan has some of the strictest anti-stimulant drug laws in the world - and that includes antihistamines, the Foreign Office has previously warned.
Popular allergy treatments like Vicks inhalers and Sudafed are banned and could get you arrested at the airport.
Anyone caught bringing them in risks detention or deportation.
2. Codeine
The opioid painkiller, codeine, is banned in over 25 countries, including several in Europe.
Yet in the UK, you don't even need a prescription - codeine is available over the counter in pharmacies as co-codamol, which combines codeine with paracetamol.
Even bringing small amounts of the stuff abroad to certain places can get you into serious trouble.
In Hungary, it carries up to five years in jail. In Slovakia, it's three.
Other risky destinations include:
Austria - Up to six months in jail
Belgium - Up to five years in jail
Croatia - £550 to £2,250 in fines (€650 to €2,600), plus up to 90 days in jail
Czechia - £510 fine (15,000 Kč)
Finland - Up to six months in jail
Luxembourg - £210 to £4,200 fine (€250–€5,000), plus up to six months in jail
Romania - Up to two years in jail
Sweden - Up to three years in jail
Even in countries like Greece or Cyprus, you'll need a valid prescription to carry codeine.
Always check the rules for your destination online before you travel, and speak to your GP in advance to get any necessary paperwork.
3. Sleeping pills
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have a zero tolerance on an array of over-the-counter medications that are sold daily in the UK.
Sleeping pills like temazepam, which are legal here, are strictly banned in the Emirates, and getting caught with them could land you behind bars.
Even if you have a prescription from your GP, you'll need to apply for approval from the UAE Ministry of Health before travelling.
4. Cannabis-related products
Even CBD oil with zero THC is illegal in countries like Singapore, the UAE, and Japan, among others.
It doesn't matter if it's for anxiety or pain, all cannabis products are banned in these regions.
Getting caught with CBD at the airport could lead to arrest, detention, or even deportation.
For example, in China, it is illegal to bring CBD into the country, with possession carrying a potential jail time of seven years.
This is because in some places, possession is treated the same way as carrying hard drugs.
It's generally not recommended to travel abroad with any CBD based products.
5. ADHD medicines
Stimulants used to treat ADHD are a major red flag in some countries.
In Japan, they are completely banned, even with a prescription.
To bring them in legally, you'll need special clearance from the Japanese government, including medical proof - a process that takes weeks.
How to check what is allowed?
You can check which medications you can take in and out of the UK here.
The UK government also recommends checking with the relevant embassies before travelling to make sure that you don't break any rules.
You can find the full list for embassy contacts here.
British prescriptions are not accepted at international pharmacies, so you'll need to take enough medicine with you for your entire trip.
Ensure that you take your prescription and doctor's letter wherever you are travelling.
Consider having the doctor's letter translated into your destination's language to make the journey easier.
The strict rules are designed to keep travellers safe and to prevent drug tourism.
Can you take medication in your hand luggage?
WHEN you're travelling overseas, it's important that you get all the packing done properly.
If you require medication, you may be curious about whether you can bring it along on your flight.
The short answer is yes - it is recommended that you put any medication in your hand luggage.
The main reason being that if the luggage in the hold gets lost, you would still have your medicine to hand.
Before travelling, you should check the airline's regulations, but most of them will allow it.
Make sure to pack your medicines and any equipment such as needles, syringes, and others in their original and correctly labelled packages.
You should also carry the prescription from your doctor, just in case you are questioned about the medication.
Before packing your medication make sure that the expiry date will be valid for as long as you're abroad and also check how it needs to be stored.
And be sure to check that your drugs are not banned in the country you are travelling to.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
26 minutes ago
- The Sun
First tourists visit North Korea's ghostly ‘Benidorm' resort where ‘minders' follow visitors & phones are ‘bugged'
NORTH Korea has welcomed its first tourists to its ghostly new " Benidorm" beach resort. But the initial batch of visitors have reported that they are followed everywhere and their phones are likely bugged. 10 10 The newly built resort, called Wonsan‑Kalma, has opened for Russian tourists on package tours. It features a a giant artificial white sand beach - once a missile test site - on the Sea of Japan, and was opened by dictator Kim Jong Un himself. But Russian guests say the experience is very different inside a state even more repressive than their own. "You are accompanied everywhere… even on the beach someone walked with us," according to blogger Daria Zubkova. Yet this was as "sweet concern" for guests rather than more ominous snooping, she added. "They are walking [with you]. "[If] you want, they chat with you, [if not] they just walk behind you." Daria added that the minders "argue that they worry about us getting lost or something else". But the veterinary therapist added: "What many people are afraid of….is some kind of wiretapping everywhere and so on. "Most likely, I think that there is probably all of this, but we just weren't afraid, because we have nothing to say that would make someone scold us for it." North Korea's 'Benidorm' to FINALLY open next week as tyrant Kim Jong-Un cuts ribbon - and Brits have signed up to visit The resort can accommodate up to 20,000 people, according to reports, and has jet-skis. Russian tourists holidaying there must make their own way to the eastern city of Vladivostok. From there they are flown into North Korea - to the capital city of Pyongyang. But once in the country, the group of 13 inaugural guests had their short flight from Pyongyang to Wonsan was suddenly cancelled - and a train arranged instead. "An entire train for just 13 people is simply unthinkable," said Daria. "It was new, very comfortable, with air conditioning." 10 10 10 10 She added: "I saw villages [from the windows of the train]….people are working in the fields, not very rich people." Another tourist Lyudmila said: "I was even interested in riding the train, because for the first time I saw that the mountains they paint in their pictures really exist. "It is also very interesting to see the country from the train." But once they got to Wonsan, their hotel was full with visiting officials and journalists accompanying Putin's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. The tourists were then moved to inferior accommodation. Tourists were also told that sending emails cost £1.65 each. The tour company made clear that the secret police would have the opportunity to monitor their messages. "Please note that the email will be sent from the hotel's email box, not yours. "Therefore, to make it easier to find a reply addressed to you, we recommend that you include your room number in the subject line." Tourists were also told in advance: "We recommend taking tea, coffee, sugar with you!!! Fruits are not served." But Daria added: "There were a lot of types of meat, duck, rabbit, different types of fish. They really tried to please us." The basic cost of this tour for Russians is £1,360 - once they have made their way to Vladivostok. All but £325 of this has to be paid in cash. "We like everything," said tourist Pavla Gambal. "The sea is warm, the beach is clean, they keep order. "The territory is well-kept. The food is very tasty, you can eat it." It comes at a time when when North Korea has sent soldiers to die for "ally" Vladimir Putin, along with ship loads of military equipment and ammunition. 10 10
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
When did people start going on holiday?
When did people start going on holiday? Valentina Otero, Mexico City Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion Post your answers (and new questions) below or send them to nq@ A selection will be published next Sunday.
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Is it safe to travel to Greece? Tourist advice amid wildfires
More than 50 wildfires have erupted in the country in the last 24 hours, leading to a request to the EU for six firefighting planes. Residents of Kryoneri, 12.5 miles northeast of Athens, received three SMS messages to evacuate to safe areas yesterday (July 26). This comes as Greek authorities battle separate fires on Euboea and Crete, its two largest islands, as well as on the island of Kythera and in the south-west of the mainland. Firefighters battled wildfires across Greece and the Western Balkans as the south of Europe sweltered under the third heatwave of the summer Both areas are popular holiday destinations for Brits who are looking to fly out this summer. However, if you've got a trip booked over the coming weeks, the extreme weather could impact your plans. As of July 27, the UK Foreign Office has not issued any "do not travel" notices for Greece. Although it does highlight safety advice due to a 'high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October'. The website recommends travellers register for the Greek government's national emergency alerts, stating: 'Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly.' Tourists are also urged to 'be cautious if you are in or near an area affected by wildfires,' and to call the emergency services on 112 if you're in danger. Greece experiences wildfires every year, but they are becoming more intense and frequent. 🔴⚠️🔥♨️🇬🇷🇹🇷For the 1st time in recordes history,#Turkey has reached 50°C on July 25,during one of the worst #heatwave ever in the # also for #Albania & #Greece,all with multiple #wildfires.⬇️12hrs in sunlight by meteosat12 via @zoom_earth #ClimateEmergency Last year, Greece experienced its hottest June and July on record. If you find yourself at the site of a wildfire while on holiday, follow instructions from local authorities and keep essentials with you at all times. If you're set to head out to Greece on holiday, then it's best to check with your tour operator or airline. For those preparing to travel, it may be possible to cancel your trip for a refund, but only under specific circumstances. 'For tourists concerned about travel disruptions due to wildfires, it's essential to understand the options available in terms of insurance and refunds," Travel and Tour World states. Recommended reading: Does buying from duty free at the airport save you money and how does it work? The best ways to try and prevent jet lag on a long-haul flight Here are the best seats to choose on a plane - and the ones to avoid 'In cases where the wildfire threat directly impacts the region you are visiting, travellers may be eligible for a refund or rebooking. 'However, if the situation is not deemed dangerous enough by authorities, or if no official travel advisory is issued, airlines and tour operators are generally not obligated to offer full refunds.' As it stands, there is no Foreign Office warning against travel, so it's best to continue to check for regular updates in case the situation changes in the coming hours and days.
