Essential non-prescription liquid or gel-based medications include items such as contact-lens/eye solution, cough syrup/spray, gel capsules or liquid-filled capsules (e.g. ibuprofen). You are allowed to carry these items in volumes greater than 100 ml (3.4 oz.) in your carry-on baggage.

You can fly with a virtually unlimited quantity of ibuprofen in solid form (tablets or capsules) in both your carry-on and checked luggage. According to 2026 TSA and international security guidelines, non-prescription solid medications are not subject to volume restrictions. You are not required to keep them in their original packaging, though doing so is recommended to speed up any potential manual inspections. If you prefer to fly with liquid ibuprofen (such as children's suspension or gel caps), the "3-1-1" rule typically applies unless the liquid is considered "medically necessary." Medically necessary liquids are allowed in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100ml) but must be declared to a security officer at the start of the screening process for additional inspection. For most travelers, a standard "family-sized" bottle of 500 tablets in a carry-on is perfectly fine and does not need to be mentioned to the officers. It is a "pro-tip" to keep your medication in your carry-on rather than checked bags to ensure it remains temperature-controlled and accessible in case of flight delays.