Can I take injectable medication, needles and syringes through security?

The short answer

Yes. TSA lists unused syringes as allowed in both carry-on and checked bags when they are accompanied by injectable medication, and you should declare them to the officer at the checkpoint. Used syringes are allowed when transported in a sharps disposal container or similar hard-surface container.

Unused syringes and needles

TSA's What Can I Bring page for unused syringes says they are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. The syringes must be accompanied by injectable medication.

In a carry-on bag, TSA says you should declare the syringes to a security officer at the checkpoint so they can be inspected. TSA recommends labelling your medications to speed up screening, but says this is not required.

• Carry-on: allowed with special instructions (declare them)
• Checked bag: allowed
• Must be accompanied by injectable medication
• Labelling is recommended, not required

Used syringes

TSA says used syringes are allowed when transported in a sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container. They are allowed in carry-on and checked bags with special instructions.

The TSA page for used syringes does not state whether you must declare them, so it is sensible to tell the officer at the checkpoint.

Liquid medication, insulin pumps and glucose monitors

TSA's page on liquid medications says liquid medications are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. Liquids of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less are allowed, and larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols are allowed in sensible quantities for your trip, but you must declare them at the checkpoint for inspection.

TSA's disabilities and medical conditions page says to tell the officer that you have medically necessary liquids or medications and to place them in a separate bin. If you do not want a liquid medication X-rayed or opened, tell the officer and additional screening will follow.

For insulin pumps and glucose monitors, TSA says to tell the officer where the device is before screening begins. You do not have to remove a device attached to your body. Disconnected devices may be X-rayed, and you can ask for yours not to be, in which case alternative screening is used.

Pills and solid medication

TSA says medication in pill or other solid form must be screened, and clearly labelling it can help.

Who decides at the checkpoint

Every TSA item page says the final decision rests with the TSA officer at the checkpoint. If screening does not meet your expectations, TSA says you can ask to speak with a checkpoint supervisor.

These rules apply to US airports screened by TSA. Airports in the UK and EU have their own rules, and the pages read for this answer do not cover them. Rules and procedures change, so check the official TSA pages before you travel. Both TSA syringe pages were last updated in November 2017 according to the pages themselves.

Sources: TSA: Unused Syringes, TSA: Used Syringes, TSA: Liquid Medications, TSA: Disabilities and Medical Conditions. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.

Frequently asked questions