Which Common Medications Are Prohibited?
U.S. Customs prohibits bringing in narcotics and psychotropic drugs containing heroin, cocaine, marijuana, LSD (a potent hallucinogen), as well as tranquilizers, sleeping pills, stimulants, antidepressants, anti-epileptics, etc.
Therefore, many medications common in China are controlled in the U.S. For example, the stomach medicine Domperidone (Motilium) is a household essential in China, but because it contains domperidone, bringing large quantities into the U.S. is prohibited; severe cases may even face federal prosecution and legal trouble.
To avoid pitfalls, here's a rundown of prohibited medications.
Ephedrine-containing drugs
Ephedrine was once considered an effective weight-loss drug. In the last century, the death of a professional baseball player in the U.S. from taking ephedrine-containing drugs led the International Olympic Committee to ban it.
Common medications containing ephedrine:
1. Fufang Chuanbei Cough Syrup and Jizhi Syrup
2. Rhinitis Tablets
3. Cold Capsules and Chailian Oral Liquid
4. Zhuifeng Ointment and Dahuoluo Pills
Strychnine-containing drugs
Strychnine is commonly used in medical injections. It has a stimulating effect on the spinal cord and cerebral cortex. Overdose can cause convulsions, respiratory muscle spasms, and restricted breathing.
1. Die Da Wan Hua Oil (Trauma Oil), Rheumatoid Arthritis Tablets, Arthritis Cream
2. Jingyaokang Capsules and Yaotongning Capsules
3. Wei'er Kang Tablets and Domperidone
4. Bone Spur Capsules
Morphine-containing drugs
Morphine is a commonly known opioid painkiller. In China, for some minor surgeries, doctors may give you a 'pain relief pill,' which actually works through morphine. However, morphine abuse can lead to respiratory depression, low blood pressure, and a high potential for addiction.
1. Kechuanning, Kesuting, Keke (cough medicines)
2. Changweining and Xiao'er Zhixie Ling (children's anti-diarrheal)
Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride strongly stimulates the central nervous system and is a primary ingredient in producing methamphetamine. Therefore, such drugs are expressly forbidden from entry in many countries.
1. Contac
2. Baijiahei
Medications containing animal ingredients (including Chinese herbal medicine)
Medications containing animal parts or organs, such as tiger bone wine and bear bile powder, are not allowed. Moreover, no Chinese herbal medicine has been officially certified by the FDA in the U.S. In California, some Chinese herbs even carry warning labels. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings against importing Chinese herbs. Therefore, any medicine on the warning list will be automatically detained upon entry.
How to Bring Medication Legally and Safely into the U.S.?
Generally, as long as it is a prescription drug that can be legally prescribed according to the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration), it can be brought in for personal use. Therefore, before preparing medication, be sure to check on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection official website whether your medication is prohibited.
Here are a few tips you must read!
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Declare all medications when entering the country; even if prohibited items are found, they will at most be confiscated.
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Bring as few Chinese herbs/patent medicines as possible. Since many Chinese herbs/patent medicines have not been fully analyzed for their ingredients, and Americans are unfamiliar with them, they are easily mistaken as contraband.
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Keep the original packaging and instructions for all medications. For prescription drugs, it's best to bring the prescription and medical records to facilitate inspection.
Fever
1. Tylenol: Its main ingredient is acetaminophen, the most common antipyretic and analgesic. It reduces fever and relieves pain. Additionally, Tylenol can alleviate menstrual cramps, toothaches, and muscle aches.
2. Contac: Similar to the Chinese Contac. A box contains both day and night tablets, targeting symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, and watery eyes.
3. Motrin: Its main ingredient is ibuprofen. It is suitable for pain and fever caused by inflammation, and is designated as an essential medicine by the World Health Organization.
Cold
1. Airborne (Vitamin C effervescent): When you have a cold, doctors recommend taking a lot of vitamin C. Airborne mainly contains vitamin C, is not a medication, tastes good with a light orange flavor, and can effectively relieve cold symptoms.
2.Vicks DayQuil/NyQuil: This is a comprehensive cold medicine, available in daytime and nighttime versions, similar to China's Baijiahei. It keeps you alert during the day and helps you sleep well at night, relieving cold symptoms without affecting work during the day and promoting rest at night.
Pain Relief Ointments/Patches
1. Pentrex: A versatile anti-inflammatory pain-relieving cream. It helps relieve inflammation and pain in muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc. Apply directly to the painful area. It can also be used for insect bites, providing itch relief and anti-inflammatory effects.
2. Stopain: A spray for topical pain relief, used for mild pain from bursitis, arthritis, muscle strain or sprain, back pain, bruises, and cramps.
3. IcyHot Medicated Patch: Similar to a pain relief patch, it is very effective for relieving muscle soreness, shoulder and neck pain, and lower back pain. It feels cool at first, then gradually warms up, and the effect lasts for 8 hours.
Nasal Congestion & Rhinitis
1. Flonase Allergy Relief Spray: Mainly used to relieve nasal congestion, runny nose, etc. Spray it towards the side of the nostril, once a day. It's the best-selling rhinitis medicine on Amazon. User review: 'Rhinitis is so miserable, but after spraying this, it gets much better!'
2. Breathe Right Nasal Strips: These mainly work physically by expanding the nasal passages to open up blocked nasal cavities, improving sleep issues caused by nasal congestion.
Canker Sores / Mouth Ulcers
1. Campho Phenique Cold Sore Treatment: This topical medication can disinfect and relieve pain, temporarily alleviating oral pain and itching, with infection-prevention properties.
2. Canker-Rid: A fast-acting pain relief and recovery gel for canker sores, mainly containing natural propolis. It promotes healing and reduces pain. Apply directly to the ulcer to effectively relieve pain.
Sore Throat & Cough
1. Robitussin: A cough suppressant and expectorant containing honey, helpful for relieving cough and throat inflammation. Rated 4.5 stars on Amazon, dubbed by users as 'the most effective cough medicine,' it reduces coughing so you can get a peaceful night's sleep.
2. Ricola: A natural herbal cough drop, equivalent to China's 'Jinsangzi' throat lozenges, soothing for sore throat and cough.
Stomach Upset
1. Nexium: A highly rated stomach medication, considered a strong stomach remedy suitable for those with severe stomach pain. It targets stomach pain caused by reflux esophagitis, bile reflux, duodenitis, duodenal ulcers, etc., and effectively relieves heartburn. Many Chinese bring it back when visiting home.
2. TUMS Chewable Tablet: This chewable tablet is a star product. Its main function is to neutralize stomach acid, effective for heartburn, acid indigestion, and stomach upset, while also preventing and treating calcium deficiency symptoms.
3. Zantac: This reduces stomach acid production, effective for treating gastric ulcers, hyperacidity, etc.
4. Lactaid: Also a chewable tablet, it relieves lactose intolerance symptoms, effective for gas, cramps, bloating, and diarrhea caused by dairy product indigestion.
Diarrhea
1. Imodium: Its main ingredient is loperamide, which works by slowing down intestinal movement, thus prolonging the time food stays in the gut to relieve diarrhea.
2. Pepto-Bismol: A relatively safe over-the-counter anti-diarrheal with mild antibacterial properties, also used for diarrhea caused by bacteria. The bottle contains a pink liquid; for portability, buy the tablet form.
Motion Sickness
Dramamine: Due to its potency, this American motion sickness medicine is popular among Chinese people. For those prone to carsickness or seasickness, Dramamine can be found in supermarkets and pharmacies. It's effective but may cause drowsiness.
Constipation
Colace Docusate Sodium Stool Softener: This is a surfactant that helps water and fats penetrate the stool, softening it to promote easier bowel movements.
Allergies
Benadryl: Used to treat allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, itching, hives, and rash. It is also effective for alcohol allergies.
Burns
Neosporin: Similar to China's Jingwanhong burn ointment, Neosporin antibacterial ointment is available in U.S. stores. It kills bacteria on the skin to prevent infection.
