do all biologics need to be refrigerated?

[smilelines]

cocentyx needs to be refrigerated. Do all others need to be too?

[helixhelix]

As far as I know, yes. They are live cells.

I was happy with Enbrel that can stay out of the fridge for 2 weeks and then moved to Roactemra where you only have 8 hours!! And must inject within 3 minutes of taking the cap off?

It is a constraint.

[smilelines in reply to helixhelix]

3 minutes! Wow! I don’t know how we travel on a long plane ride and still keep the biological cold. They can’t be frozen so no putting them in the luggage compartment.

[AgedCrone in reply to smilelines]

I do know I bang on about this…but never, ever put anything you want to see again (except your main suitcase of course) in the luggage compartment of an aircraft!

To keep any drug safe that needs to be kept at a low temp, you can use a cool bag…I’m sure many on here can recommend something suitable. Happy travelling!

[helixhelix in reply to smilelines]

Must never, ever be put in the hold. That can be too cold. My medical cool bag is ok at 4 degrees for several days.

[RA22345 in reply to helixhelix]

What bag do you use helixhelix?

[helixhelix in reply to RA22345]

it’s a pfizer medicool bag the chemist gave me.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to helixhelix]

Gosh re Roactemra! I’d forget and turn round to make a cuppa!

[Paula-C in reply to helixhelix]

Enbrel can be out of the fridge for 28 days. I had a problem in our motorhome in Spain last year. Long story short the pharmacist contacted Pfizer and they told her they've tested enbrel and it's still viable if it's been in and out of refrigeration 3 times and it's still okay if the temperature it's stored in reaches 32 degrees. This of course is all unofficial.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Paula-C]

I read that too recently re Enbrel which was my my first booster back in 2013. I read recently as long as it is not exceeding a temp of 25 it can be kept out of the fridge as you said. Mtx pens are not supposed to exceed 25 degrees and are kept out of the fridge but last year the heatwave had me worried re the Mtx I stash away cool in my wardrobe but never got anywhere near 25 degrees according to my digi thermometer on top of the box. I understand it’s the proteins in most of the biologics which break down more easily and therefore are rendered spoiled if not in the fridge between 2-8 degrees. I keep another little digi thermometer too on my Abatacept box. Hope you are well/keeping steady. x

[Paula-C in reply to Neonkittie17]

When I qualified for anti tnfs (September 2012] the information sheet I was given for enbrel did say it could be out of the fridge for a few days (think it was 4) and then put back in. That was one of the reasons I decided to go on enbrel because my daughter was living in Spain at the time, it was easier to travel with, then they changed the advice once I'd started it.

Im fine RA wise, just getting over covid, husband caught it and he wasn't very well at all, I only tested myself because I was going to a funeral and was shocked to see it was positive. I felt perfectly okay but it did develop into what I can only describe as a mild cold. I don't come on here much now so not up to speed with how you are doing, hope your doing okay. x

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Paula-C]

I’m on and off here Paula at the mo. I’m doing well RA since 2014 but the last med really messed up my immune and that continues 😐 but the current RA med is working fine for me at present. Glad the virus hasn’t been serious for you as such and hope you continue to be steady with your RA.

[aliplayspiano in reply to helixhelix]

I had a letter from Roche, makers of RoActemera a few months ago saying that once it has been removed from the fridge it can be stored for up to 2 weeks at or below 30 degrees C. They are in the process of updating the patient leaflet.

And I think you get 5 minutes after you’ve taken the cap off!

[helixhelix in reply to aliplayspiano]

that’s an advance. Although have stopped Roactemra now as it didn’t work.

[ruth_p]

Yes they all have to be kept refrigerated. You can get travel boxes that keep your injections cool for long journeys. I wouldn’t just use a cool bag on a long haul because it wouldn’t be fit for purpose. Speak to your injection delivery company about options.

[anne999 in reply to ruth_p]

I have asked Sciencus for a bag for travelling, never receive one

[bpeal1]

Yes they all have to be refrigerated but they vary in how long you can take them out of the fridge before injecting. Some are 2 or 3 weeks some are only a few hours. Take advice from the company that provides your biologics or if you’ve not started yet ask your rheumatology team.

[Scottishlad]

There are a range of products to help you travel with biologics in your hand luggage. The company who delivers your medication may be able to help and should be able to supply a travel letter which will get you through airport security. iCool have a range of products which may be suitable. As stated in other posts, some biologics can safely stored at room temperature for a period. My Cimzia has a 10 days limit and I use Frio wallet to keep it below 25C. However a Frio wallet doesn't count as refrigeration. It is also important not to put them back in the fridge after they have reached room temperature.

Short and medium range travel is probably not too difficult but long haul needs a lot more planning. In the past I have planned my holidays round injections. Using the Cimzia 10 day limit I could be away for nearly 3 weeks.

We sometimes have to miss an injection for medical reasons and if your RA is well controlled it might be discussing this option with your RA team.

[Paula-C]

JAK inhibitors are tablets so don't need to kept in the fridge. I'm sure they are classed as a biologic drug. I know of people being put on the when their anti tnf didn't work.

[helixhelix in reply to Paula-C]

officially they are DMARDs, as they are synthetic drugs. However I do think some people refer to them as biologics, but it isn’t correct. Synthetic biologic would be ok as they target individual cells in the same way that biologics do.

Biologic drugs are created from natural sources, and ours are largely animal based.

[Paula-C in reply to helixhelix]

I've just been googling it and it seems your right, but from what I've read the criteria to get them is the same as biologics I.E. das score of over 5.1. Just wondering if they are an alternative drug to treat severe RA.

[helixhelix in reply to Paula-C]

yes, they are a great new addition to the options we have.

[Chrissycl]

When I wascon enbrel I bought a medical carrier complete with a medical ice pack, but then heard about frio bags , flew to Mexico ,8 hour journey and it kept my injections cool.