Travelling with Benepali/Enbrel from Dublin to Thailand

[nathaliadublin]

Hi all,

I need to make a trip in 2 weeks to thailand and the travelling time will be around 16 -17 hours.

It will also be my first time travelling with the pens, and I'm a bit freaked out.

I have the DR letter, the supply and all in order but I dont know which the most efficient way to carry it with me with a reliable bag or container.

Thailand is 35C degrees these days🥵

Have any of you made a similar trip?

Any coolpack reccomendation?

Thanks in advance

Nathalia

[julie1908]

Hi I am also on Enbrel and travelled to Thailand and this bag I highly recommend medigenix.co.uk/icool-medic...

[nathaliadublin in reply to julie1908]

Thank you so much Julie❤️ You are a life saver with this recomendation! I just bought this one: medigenix.co.uk/coolmeds-co...

It also has a thermometer.

Are you ok to share how was the inmigration in Thailand with this med?

[julie1908 in reply to nathaliadublin]

Absolutely fine .. my uncle who also has the same injections travelled to Thailand as well last year and had no problems at all. Have you asked your Enbrel supplier for a travel bin so you can put your used pens into? I hope you have a wonderful time in Thailand

[nathaliadublin in reply to julie1908]

Thank you Julie again so looking forward to Thailand is my first long trip after the Ankylosing Spondylitis diagnosis in 2021!

And yes my pharmacy told me that will provide a travel bin, when they give me the supply before the trip, what im not sure if it will be ok to leave it on a hospital in Bangkok. What did you do with yours?

[Otto11 in reply to nathaliadublin]

Hi you could just pop them in an empty water/coke plastic bottle pop them in your suitcase & bring them back here for disposal. Might be easier for you.

[nathaliadublin in reply to Otto11]

that's good idea actually! thank you Otto🙏

[Otto11 in reply to nathaliadublin]

You're welcome. If its only 1 or 2 injections then its job done

[KittyJ]

Frio pouches are a cheaper option, you can reactivate them to cool for longer.

[nathaliadublin in reply to KittyJ]

Thank you for the Suggestion Kitty 😊, I did check them out and they look very nice ( Frio wallets) also I even read that Benepali can stay out of the fridge to up to 30C.

However since Thailand is hotter I prefer to have them refrigerated all the time, but thats my personal preference

This is from their website: hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/m...

 Benepali® 50 mg PFP should be stored in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C). It should not be frozen.

 The PFP should be kept in the outer packaging in order to protect it from light.

 A single Benepali® 50 mg PFP may be stored at a temperature up to a maximum of 30°C for a period of up to 31days. The PFP must be protected from light, and discarded if not used within the 31-day period. Once the PFPreaches room temperature, it should not be returned to the refrigerator, but used within the 31-day period.

[KittyJ in reply to nathaliadublin]

Thanks, they’ve changed the temp, that’s good to know 😊 Happy travels !

[Kentishman]

Hi, I travelled extensively with injectable drugs. You can buy a cool bag that takes large ice packs and will last 20 hours. You can ask the flight crew to put your bag in the fridge on the plane to extend the time - they never said no to me. Finally, get a letter from your GP stating that you are carrying injectables, what they are and what condition they are treating. Sometimes security/customs show no interest but occasionally you will be pulled out and questioned - the letter will be essential in that situation. I travelled to Thailand and across Asia on many occasions - always declare any medicines you are carrying. Hope this helps

[nathaliadublin in reply to Kentishman]

thank you so much🙏 for this useful info!!

[Fra22-57]

also on mine it states that they mustn’t be put through the scanner but to ask them to visually check the injections

[nathaliadublin in reply to Fra22-57]

ohh mine doesnt state that! I will ask my DR tomorrow thank you so much🙏

[Fra22-57]

my Medicean needs to be kept in a fridge and have temperature between 2-8C so a Frito wallet wouldn’t help.it says on Frito website that it keeps it at temperature 18 -26C which really is room temperature.I have a Bristol Myers’s Squibb zip bag that has pouches you freeze.I have had 3 epipens in it but not travelling as far as Thailand. I do make sure pouches are frozen night before travel.I have only done European flights as far as Turkey thou.please let me know what you decide to buy as I would love to visit Thailand again

Pouch zip bag

[KittyJ in reply to Fra22-57]

Benepali can be left out of the fridge for up to four weeks under 25°

[Fra22-57 in reply to KittyJ]

Ahh mine is Abatacept so different rules

[nathaliadublin in reply to Fra22-57]

Thank you for the info 🙏Yes will update you how it all went! last night I ordered this : medigenix.co.uk/coolmeds-co...

[Otto11 in reply to Fra22-57]

You’re right about the Frito Wallet. I bought one initially then realised they were only suitable for Insulin type meds. Your cool bad looks interesting. I’m on Abatacept too.

[KittyJ in reply to Otto11]

They’re suitable for some biologics too 😊

[Otto11 in reply to KittyJ]

That's good for some . I know Humira can be out of the fridge for a week or 2 but up to 25 degrees if I remember rightly. I'm on Abatacept now & that has to be a cool bag unfortunately. It's a pain at security at the airport.

[CagneysMum]

I’m travelling to Borneo/Thailand/Vietnam in 2 weeks with methotrexate and biologic pens that need to be kept between 2-8 degrees in a fridge.

However, they will keep outside of a fridge for up to two weeks (stored below 25degrees) . Two weeks is long enough for me because my biologic is due on the 2nd week of my 3 week holiday. To maintain this temp(below 25 degrees) my drug provider has recommended Frio.

[nathaliadublin in reply to CagneysMum]

Thank you for sharing , and happy Frio will suit your needs! They even look cute and their price range is great.

Happy and safe travels😍