Interferon Travel Temps, Freezing Risk?

[EPguy]

There have been discussions here of travel with INF.

I recently used the ice pack that comes with Besremi in a lunch cooler for my Dr office visit. After that I placed it in my office fridge for the day. I realized a possible hazard to that: if the ice pack were below freezing temp, and the lunch box is in the fridge, the INF could get too cold or even freeze. Worried about that I tested the box next day with plain water instead of medicine. The water stayed liquid, all is good. But it did feel very near freezing.

I think the ice pack is plain water, but even that can go below 0 deg C for a while if it is stored at normal freezer temps. Some ice packs might also freeze at less than 0 deg, if they were salt water for example. I'm not sure such packs exist however.

In summary, to be safe I plan to remove the ice pack from the box after ~15-30 minutes once the travel box is in the fridge, and replace the ice pack when ready to take it back out. I'll put the ice pack by itself in the freezer in the mean time.

So far this is just a theoretical concern but welcome any comments.

[plum27]

I traveled with syringes and a gel pack in a thermos bottle. I kept it in the hotel refrigerator when I could. I wrapped the syringes in some paper towel so they weren't directly in contact with the gel pack and I didn't freeze the gel pack solid, so it wasn't too cold. Seemed to work pretty well. But you can get gel packs that reliably keep temperature a bit above freezing. One example is: ipcpack.com/products/gel-pa...

[EPguy in reply to plum27]

That is a really good solution, the higher temp gel. It would be impossible to freeze the meds and the excellent insulation by the vacuum insulated bottle ensures the meds are held to the same temp as the gel.

Phase change salts tend to store less energy (cooling time) than phase change water (ice) but with an efficient thermos bottle that wouldn't really matter.

Is there a specific pack they sell that fits well in a regular thermos?

On the other hand, using a pack or ice that works at freezing temp in a thermos could be risky since it will put the meds at very near the same temp in the efficient thermos. Your partial frozen gel pack helps address that, but it may be hard to control the temp. (same issue with near all solutions we have) But using the salt in your link along with the thermos seems the best of all.

[SoledadBarcelona]

Thanks. Very useful.

[Joetcalr]

I think I'd be inclined to jiggle about with my injection dates a bit - a week either way maybe, to avoid having to travel with heavy thermos etc, anyone else done that (I haven't had to yet). Jo

[EPguy in reply to Joetcalr]

I have thought about that too. A few days shift is a good option. But if the dosing schedule is two weeks, it seems a week shift would be a large change. After a year, BES is supposed to go to 4 weeks. I'm looking fwd to that, if I get there. Then a week shift would be a smaller shift.

I am planning a trip in the Spring and will need to think about these issues soon.

[Dovme]

I have done this twice and the interferon did not freeze. If your flying and carrying ice or gel packs in your hand luggage you need to careful that they do not melt before boarding. If they do even a small amount they may not allow you to take the packs onto the flight. Rule called 3-1-1 rule dictates how passengers may bring liquids on an airplane in their carry-on.

Even with a doctors note - when you return the gel packs still need to be frozen if in hand luggage

[EPguy in reply to Dovme]

That's a really good point that is easy to overlook. Considering how unpredictable travel is, being sure about the ice is another stress point.

According to the US TSA it should be ok, I think they may require some extras tests on it in some cases. But these rules may well be different outside the US.

<<Ice packs, freezer packs, gel packs, and other accessories may be presented at the screening checkpoint in a frozen or partially-frozen state to keep medically necessary items cool. All items, including supplies associated with medically necessary liquids such as IV bags, pumps, and syringes must be screened before they will be permitted into the secure area of the airport>>

tsa.gov/travel/special-proc...