Methotrexate whilst abroad

[junik53]

Hi I have been on MTX now for 5 weeks and I may change over to the injection as tabs make me nauseas .My question is whilst abroad for 6 -8 weeks next year (Spain,twice)will there be any problems with taking the amount of tabs /injection with me and does the injections have to be refrigerated.Thanks in advance.

[Hidden]

I never had to refrigerate my injections, but I've never been abroad so I can't answer your first quetion. Perhaps you could call the NRAS helpline 0800 298 7650 (Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm)

[PinkLamb]

Hi junik53

I don't keep MTX injection refrigerated either!!!!

[Bootoo]

I travelled with my mtx injections in May (4 of them) we went to Turkey and it was in the 30's for the whole 4 weeks. I just kept them in a cupboard out of sunlight. If you do end up taking injections with you get a letter from your rheumy team to say you are carrying them, for security purposes at the airport. Any other medication get a print out off your doctor to say what you are taking, or i just took a repeat prescription with me.

[Hidden]

I asked this question with my clinic nurse.no need to refrigerate and no problem taking abroad. You can ask your clinic nurse for a covering letter. You can also request a travel 1 litre sharpes bin on prescription.

[junik53]

Thanks for your replys,would I be allowed to order 6-8 weeks worth from pod.They allow 3 times my repeat of other meds,thanks

[Hidden in reply to junik53]

I don’t see why not give them notice.

[Floralqueens in reply to Hidden]

No problem at all ordering extra metoject and some airport security insist that the Metoject boxes go in a plastic bag, one bag per box, others don’t mind. I always carry a hospital letter indicating that I need to travel with sharps. The 1 litre sharps box is a good idea, when travelling home I put the box in my hand luggage. Good luck

[charisma]

I took my Metoject abroad to the USA in 3017. GP surgery provided a mini sharps bin. I got a letter too, from Rheumatology, which is the required covering note saying you need that medication. It went in my carry on luggage. I never refrigerated my MTX.

[junik53]

Thamks everyonex

[CagneysMum]

I’ve flown throughout Europe and to Caribbean with injections and pill organizer in hand luggage, not in bags and never once been questioned - I Don’t take them out of my hand luggage to go through the scanners. Always have a letter and repeat Prescription just in case but never been needed. I don’t refrigerate my injections but do keep them out of direct sunlight. I don’t take a sharps bin, just put back inside their box and put in suit case once used.

[Tillie20]

Hi I go abroad quite a lot and never put mtx pens in the fridge I keep in a dark place x

[vonniesims]

The bumph says keep under 25 0c

[Maeve31]

Hi Junik53,

I take my tablets with my porridge and that seems to stop any nausea.

I've travelled with tablets no problem and I've also got them in a pharmacy in Spain with my prescription - until the last year or two they didn't even ask for the prescription, but they do now

[nomoreheels]

Hiya junik53. Re temperature. I used to live in Spain & even in the height of summer just kept my MTX injections in their box in a kitchen drawer which was the coolest part of our house. Never had any problems.

Enjoy your hols. Remember MTX can cause sun sensitivity so have someone watch out for you in case you start to react, we don't always notice ourselves. Increase your sun protection factor just to be on the safe side & cover up with reflective (by that I mean light coloured) lightweight natural materials, allow plenty of ventilation. Where possible duck out of the sun at warmest days if you're away in summer. Drink plenty of water & watch the alcohol, especially spirits (if you do drink alcohol) as you'll know they don't know what small measures are!

[Otto11]

Hi travelled many times with Methotrexate injections & you don’t need to refrigerate. Just keep in a cool dark place not in sunlight. I put used ones in an empty plastic bottle & drop off at a local clinic or return with them in luggage.

Remember to get a letter from Rheumy nurse or delivery company don’t ask GP as they will charge. X

[Bluepegasus]

I moved over to the MTX injections a few months ago. The information pack that came with my first delivery said they have to be kept under 25 degrees and out of direct sunlight. There’s also a card to be signed by the hospital or consultant to say you’re authorised to be carrying the medication.

[junik53]

Wow ,bowled over with all you lovely people and your reply's,thanks.I will be having my 3 month check with consultant in January,so will make decision about changing to injections then and get a signed card from them to take abroad with me.Plastic bottle as sharps disposal great idea.BTW,we don't fly ,we tow a caravan down through France,Andorra,Spain,so we have all our amenities with us,ie fridge ect,so that makes it easier,all part of the holiday,we usually go twice a year.Hoping the warm weather will help with the P.A.

[helixhelix]

Do check with hospital that they will give you more than a month’s supply of injections. Some don’t/won’t, or will only do so with tablets.