Medical Items

Medications and medical devices. Most medical items have exemptions from standard liquid rules and are allowed in carry-on baggage.

All Medical Items (34)

Below is a comprehensive list of medical items and whether they are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage according to TSA regulations.

Battery powered wheel chairs and mobility devices

Carry-on: Prohibited Checked: Special Rules

Spillable batteries are allowed in wheelchairs and mobility devices, where the battery may remain installed if it is securely attached to the mobility device and the battery housing provides protection from damage, the terminals are protected from short circuit, and the battery remains in an upright position when stowed on the aircraft. Non-spillable batteries may require additional measures based on battery type. Lithium metal (non-rechargeable lithium) batteries are forbidden with these devices. Lithium ion batteries must be removed from this type of mobility device and battery terminals protected from short circuit. For complete passenger instructions contact your airline. Advance arrangements and extra check-in time may be necessary.

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Blood Sugar Test Kit

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Blood sugar test kits are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. Please notify the TSA officer that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin, and insulin in any form or dispenser must be clearly identified.

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Breast Pump

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Breast pumps are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.

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Canes

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Canes are allowed through security checkpoints. Special procedures may apply when going through security with a cane.

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Casts

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Medical casts are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.

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Contact Lens Solution

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection. Any oversized medically-necessary liquids that alarm during screening, testing positive for certain chemicals, may not be allowed through the checkpoint. Some contact lens solutions contain chemicals that typically alarm and may not permitted through the checkpoint. We recommend placing contact lens solutions over 3.4 ounces in your checked baggage.

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Contact Lenses

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Contact lenses are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection.

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Crutches

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Crutches are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.

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EpiPens

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection.

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External Medical Devices

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Special Rules

Inform the TSA officer if you have a bone growth stimulator, spinal stimulator, neurostimulator, port, feeding tube, insulin pump, ostomy or other medical device attached to your body and where it is located before the screening process begins. You may provide the officer with the TSA notification card or other medical documentation to describe your condition. If you cannot disconnect from the device, it may require additional screening and those in sensitive areas are subject to careful and gentle inspection. Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage.

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Eye Drops

Carry-on: Liquid Rules Checked: Allowed

Eye drops are subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule in carry-on bags (containers of 3.4 oz or less, fitting in a single quart-sized bag).

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Inhalers

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Allowed

TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection. We recommend, but do not require, that your medications be labeled to facilitate the security process.

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Insulin

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Allowed

Please let our officers know you have medically necessary liquids and place them in a bin separately for x-ray screening.

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Insulin Pumps and Glucose Monitors

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Allowed

Please notify the TSA officer that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin, and insulin in any form or dispenser must be clearly identified. If you need assistance with screening, you may ask for a Passenger Support Specialist or a Supervisory TSA Officer. Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage.

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Insulin Supplies

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Allowed

Please let our officers know you have medically necessary supplies and if you have an insulin pump, glucose monitor or other medical device attached to your body.

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Liquid Medications

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Allowed

TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection.

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Liquid Vitamins

Carry-on: Liquid Rules Checked: Allowed

Liquid vitamins are subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule in carry-on bags (containers of 3.4 oz or less, fitting in a single quart-sized bag).

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Medical Devices Containing Radioactive Material

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Prohibited

Medical devices containing radioactive material that are implanted, ingested, injected, or fitted externally as a result of a medical treatment are allowed in carry-on bags but not in checked luggage.

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Medical Marijuana

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Special Rules

Marijuana and certain cannabis infused products, including some Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, remain illegal under federal law except for products that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by FDA. TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of law to local, state or federal authorities. TSA's screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.

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Medical Masks

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Medical masks are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.

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Medical-Clinical Thermometer (Mercury)

Carry-on: Prohibited Checked: Special Rules

The FAA allows one small Medical-Clinical Thermometer (Mercury) per passenger for personal use in checked bag only. The thermometer must be in a protective case. Tip: Thermometers with a red line instead of silver are not mercury and not restricted. Digital thermometers are also not restricted, unless powered by lithium batteries.

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Medically Necessary Personal Oxygen

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Prohibited

You may bring personal medical oxygen cylinders through the screening checkpoint and into the gate area. However, personal medical oxygen cylinders are not permitted in the aircraft cabin as they are considered hazardous materials by the Federal Aviation Administration. Please contact your airline for instructions on arranging oxygen service. Airlines are not required to provide oxygen service and many do not.

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Medications (Liquid)

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Allowed

TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection.

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Medications (Pills)

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Pills and solid medications are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.

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Nebulizers, CPAPs, BiPAPs, and APAPs

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Special Rules

These devices may remain in their carrying case for X-ray screening, but may be required to be removed from the carry-on. With TSA PreCheck, these devices and their facemasks and tubing may remain in their carrying case, and in the carry-on, for X-ray screening. Liquids associated with nebulizers are exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule, in reasonable quantities. Devices containing lithium batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage.

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Nitroglycerine Pills

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Nitroglycerine pills for medical use are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.

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Pill Cutter

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Pill cutters are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.

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Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Special Rules

Per the Federal Aviation Administration, certain portable oxygen concentrators are permitted onboard the aircraft, including Inogen One, Sequal Eclipse, Airsep Lifestyle. See FAA specifications for a list of Portable Oxygen Concentrators that meet requirements for inflight use.

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Prosthetics

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Prosthetics are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.

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Supplements

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Supplements are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.

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Support Braces (Knee, Ankle, Wrist, Back)

Carry-on: Allowed Checked: Allowed

Support braces for knee, ankle, wrist, back, or other body parts are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.

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TENS unit

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Special Rules

TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) units are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. If your doctor has told you that your specific TENS unit shouldn't go through an X-ray, you should notify the TSA officer so they can conduct alternate screening. To help you get through security more efficiently, remove your TENS unit from your carry-on bag and put it in the screening bin so the TSA officer can get a clear view of it. Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage.

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Unused Syringes

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Allowed

Unused syringes are allowed when accompanied by injectable medication. You must declare these items to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection. TSA recommends, but does not require, that your medications be labeled to facilitate the security process.

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Used Syringes

Carry-on: Special Rules Checked: Allowed

Used syringes are allowed when transported in Sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container.

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