Travelling with biologics.

[Oscardoggy]

Good morning,

I have RA and am taking Benapali injections. I have booked a little holiday abroad and wondered if there were any special procedures for taking the pens through security at the airport. I have a cooling case which uses ice packs. Are there likely to be any problems or is it straightforward?

Thank you.

[Jackie1947]

Shouldn't be a problem. Keep them in your hand luggage. I've got a letter confirming my prescription to show to security if asked.

[Oscardoggy in reply to Jackie1947]

Thanks very much indeed.

[Bootoo]

I have just got back from a holiday abroad, I inject methotrexate and benepali. My benepali was in a cool bag and security asked if they could see what was in the bag, it took seconds as I also had the front of the box which has the picture of what the injections look like. I also showed them the letter from rheumatology. No problems at all as I'm sure they see lots of medication of similar. They didn't even ask about my methotrexate as it was listed on my letter.

Enjoy your holiday

😎

[Oscardoggy in reply to Bootoo]

Thanks for your response Bootoo. I will follow your advise and get a letter from my rheumy team and take the box.

[Hidden]

If received through a homecare company, it’s worth giving them a ring: the one that supply my Benepali will provide documentation (including in some foreign languages) to aid with travel, as well as storage solutions for travelling. I’ve found travelling with meds to be straight forward enough, but if nothing else, you need to take a copy of your repeat prescription which details the meds you’re travelling with, however a letter from a medic would always be my first choice. All medication should be in the original packaging complete with dispensary labels. I also make a point of mentioning to staff as I hand over my bag to be x-rayed that I have medication in the hand luggage, particularly if I’ve got quite a bit in there.

[Rockky]

Hi we went to Menorca a few weeks ago with Benepali. We rang Sciensus I think (who deliver it) and they emailed us a letter to cover which we took with us. we also took our headed hospital Rheumatology letter mentioning it too. We were not asked about it once though! Can I ask how long it took for the Benepali to work for you. My husband is on week 9 and making not a jot of difference so far. Thanks.

[Oscardoggy in reply to Rockky]

Hi Rocky, Thanks for your reply, it is very helpful. I am on week 8 of Benapali and I am doing OK but I am also still on 10 mgs of Prednisolone. I won’t really know if Benapali is working until I reduce the Prednisolone but I’m hopeful.

Hope it starts working for your husband soon.x

[Rockky in reply to Oscardoggy]

Hi I forgot to say my hubby is on 20mg Prednisolone. He wouldn't be able to get up if he wasn't on this! Have you noticed any diff since you have been on Benepali yet at all? thanks

[Salamanca21 in reply to Rockky]

Hi Rockky, I saw your message..it took over a year for my Benepali to make a difference, but I stuck with it as others were having such terrible side effects after changing to other biologics. It has been a life-changer though! Good luck.

[Oscardoggy]

Oh I feel his pain but yes, my joints are not half as painful and am able to "function" although I do still get fatigued. I am also on MTX and Sulfasalazine. It can take up to 12 weeks for Benepali to work so hope your hubby feels some benefit soon.xx

[MagsLough]

I was away for a week at the start of the month and didn’t take a pen with me. I shuffled my jag around a bit beforehand so I was taking one just before I left. And had my next one a day late when I got home.

On the secondary question of how long it takes before you feel a difference. I was 3 full months and about to give up before I improved, but got there in the end 😊

[Runrig01]

I’ve been on benepali 5.5yrs and have traveled several times with it. Definitely get a letter from your rheumatologist stating that you need to carry it on board. Benepali is not allowed to go through the scanner so keep it aside, and explain to staff. They will take it to be swabbed for drugs, then it’s waiting for you at the other side of the scanner. I’ve been asked twice for my letter. I also carry hydrocortisone injections for if I start getting severely unwell with my adrenal insufficiency, and have needed to show my endocrinologist letter. They seem more concerned with that one, probably because it’s a separate ampule, syringe and needles. I was very lucky and had improvement in stiffness from the first dose. Hope you enjoy your holiday. Allow lots of time for the letter, don’t leave till the last minute, as many Drs don’t see it as a priority at the moment.

[Oscardoggy in reply to Runrig01]

Thanks so much for this info. I’m not going until late Sept so plenty of time. I will follow your advice and hopefully I’ll have no problems.

[Salamanca21]

Hi no, but you need a letter from you rheumy to show when you declare it. Otherwise, straightforward.

[CagneysMum]

Hi. I always ask the providers for a covering letter in case I get stoped at security, but in the last 3 years of travel I’ve never been asked once and never remove them from my hand luggage . I’ve traveled from Birmingham and East Mids airports.

[Wearylady]

Keep in hand luggage,don't let them put it through scanners.I always carry a letter to say I'm on this medication,never had a problem.

Have a lovely time.

[Oscardoggy in reply to Wearylady]

Thank you very much for this information.

[Otto11]

I’ve been on Biologics over 20 years & travel regularly. I have a cool bag & ice packs. They say to keep them in the original box & my delivery company supply a travel letter free of charge which needs renewing yearly. Tbh they rarely look at the letter. They do have to take them briefly out of the cool bag to swab separately but soon bring them back after. Enjoy your holiday x

[Oscardoggy in reply to Otto11]

Thank you. I’ve been getting a bit stressed about it but have had some really good advice.