holidays abroad and biologics?

[lindyloo2018]

Hi

please could people advise how they cope with travelling abroad with their biologic 's.

I don't know how the drugs should be kept safe (and cool?) whilst abroad ?

many thanks

[KittyJ]

which biologic are you on as they differ in how they should be stored but the supplier would able to advise you if you give them a call.

[Runrig01]

you need a letter from your rheumatologist giving you authorisation to carry them in the cabin. You can purchase cool bags online, depending on how long you need to keep it cool. I have a medactiv cool bag, which keeps mine cool for 12hrs. I bring them back in the cool bag, to put in my sharps box.

[lindyloo2018 in reply to Runrig01]

that's great many thanks , do you have to freeze the cool bags before use ?

[lindyloo2018 in reply to Runrig01]

please could you tell me if you transfer the biologics from the cool bag to a fridge when arrived at destination?

[Runrig01 in reply to lindyloo2018]

You only need to freeze the ice block that goes in the bag. Putting in fridge depends on if it remains at below 8 degrees. If it doesnt then yes, if it’s higher then No, it would need to remain at room temperature. You can get them with a digital thermometer incorporated mine doesn’t, but I do have a thermometer to check it. I’ve used it for 12hrs and it’s still been below. You could check ahead if cabin crew will let you put it in their fridge.

[lindyloo2018 in reply to Runrig01]

many thanks, just wondering how to keep the meds cool for 1 or 2 weeks...

[bpeal1]

Phone the company which supplies your biologic and ask about the best way to travel with it. Some biologics can be left out of a fridge for up to 4 weeks but make sure you take advice about your specific one.

The company should also be able to supply letters to take with you and some will provide a travel sharps bin.

[lindyloo2018 in reply to bpeal1]

many thanks

[Whezziewhoozie]

firstly don’t ever put your injection in the fridge of an Aeroplane … they are not to temperature. Get opened and closed and lost very easily

I have travelled all around - Australia / America / Europe

I have a medical flask that comes with a gel pack and thermometer that keeps the injections between 2-8 degrees for 36 hours

You will need a letter from your doctor / supplier.

Check the rules where you are flying out of for their security measures. For example Heathrow your ice pack is allowed to be more than 100mls if it’s medical grade. However TSA in America are slightly more funny. The East just want a letter and Australia didn’t want anything.

They will open at security to check what’s inside but then try not to open again to keep the temperature. When I first got the flask I did a dry run at home to see how long it would stay at temperature for

Its also worth noting that some biologics are stable out of the fridge for a month … so check yours as if you don’t have to keep it cold then it’s so easy you just need a letter / copy of your prescription

Take some zip lock bags that are empty as if you get delayed / your ice pack fails you can ask the cabin crew for ice and use as an ice pack. My flask came with covers for the injections so they don’t sit directly next to the cool pack.

We always book a hotel with a fridge for arrival… check the temp of that as you don’t want to do all that work and then fail at the last moment.

The hotel can also re freeze your ice pack

My husband and I don’t stay in one place when we travel.

We have some connections etc and like to move around. It’s all doable you just have to be prepared!

Hope that helps

[lindyloo2018 in reply to Whezziewhoozie]

hi thanks, what is the name of your medical flask and where did you get it so I can have a look at buying one. thanks

[Whezziewhoozie in reply to lindyloo2018]

So if you want a purpose design - but a more expensive option have a look at 4 all the family website

however I have one of these

amzn.eu/d/2dBl0hW

[Whezziewhoozie]

oh also most airport toilets have sharps bins so don’t worry about bringing one with you!

[Sunshinereturns]

I am travelling with my new biologic next week. Adalimumab can be taken out of fridge and be ok for 4 weeks so I am not travelling with a cool bag. I’ve not to put it on fridge in arrival, keep it out of fridge. However you need a letter from whoever prescribes the drug for you so you will need to make contact with your provider anyway and so can ask about your particular biologic then. Hope your provider is accessible, I understand this is never easy!

[Paula-C in reply to Sunshinereturns]

I've always thought it can only be out of the fridge for 14 days.

Info storage of drugs

[flowerlover in reply to Paula-C]

Original advice was changed some time ago to 4 weeks

[Paula-C in reply to flowerlover]

Oh sorry, I did t realise. I did Google it for info before I posted to check. That's good news then for people on it.

[flowerlover in reply to Paula-C]

Have recently had the brand changed to Hyrimoz (still Adalimumab but cheaper I imagine) & decided to check again. 21 days for this one!

[CagneysMum in reply to Sunshinereturns]

I’ve travelled across Europe, South America and Asia and none of the airport security have show any interest in my methotrexate and adalimumab (Amgevita) pre loaded pens that I always carry within my hand luggage. I always get letters from Healthnet and Sciensus (my providers) just in case. Ive not been away for longer than just over 3 weeks, so have needed to keep Amgevita cool but fridge temps of 1-8 ‘ have not been necessary. Sciensus recommended a Frio pouche to me which has been excellent and easy to use because they are activated by soaking in water and as they dry out (and warm up) you reactivate by wetting again. Mine kept cool for more than 24 hours before I needed to resoak. I believed that they were only useable out of the fridge for 2 weeks and so I’ll be checking up now I’ve read on this thread that it’s now 4 weeks … that would make travel much easier.

If in doubt your medicine/health provider will advise you. Happy holidays 😃

[Lizard28]

Hi, you are usually allowed a free medical bag allowance by airlines, I’ve just call EasyJet to tell them I’m carrying one for my husband, they told me I still need a letter from my GP to say he has to carry the drugs he takes. It has to be dated within three months so I guess I will have to pay again for this letter from GP.

[Paula-C in reply to Lizard28]

I recently went to Spain and I phoned Tui customer welfare (answered the phone very quickly). I explained about taking temperature sensitive drugs with me and I was given an extra carry on bag weighing up to 5kg.

[Inanotherlife]

I use a Frio cool wallet, it carries 2 pens, it’s only small but brilliant. As mentioned already, some you have 14 days to use once out of the fridge..

[CagneysMum]

I’ve travelled across Europe, South America and Asia and none of the airport security have show any interest in my methotrexate and adalimumab (Amgevita) pre loaded pens that I always carry within my hand luggage. I always get letters from Healthnet and Sciensus (my providers) just in case. Ive not been away for longer than just over 3 weeks, so have needed to keep Amgevita cool but fridge temps of 1-8 ‘ have not been necessary. Sciensus recommended a Frio pouche to me which has been excellent and easy to use because they are activated by soaking in water and as they dry out (and warm up) you reactivate by wetting again. Mine kept cool for more than 24 hours before I needed to resoak. I believed that the pens were only useable out of the fridge for 2 weeks and so I’ll be checking up now I’ve read on this thread that it’s now 4 weeks … that would make travel much easier.

If in doubt your medicine/health provider will advise you. Happy holidays 😃

[bettif]

hi

I got a small medical cool bag to put them in to grab egg k and I had a letter saying what they were and asked that they don’t go through the X-ray machine at airport. Guys there seemed used to dealing with them

[bettif in reply to bettif]

Sorry autocorrect changed the wording there ! What I was typing was that I have a medical cool bag to take in hand baggage to travel!

[lindyloo2018 in reply to bettif]

ok thanks, I always travel with insulin for my diabetes and it's always been xrayed without any problem, but I tell the guys the frio gel packs are there so they don't worry about them

[Bails67]

some biologics can be stored out of the fridge. Depends on what you inject with. If you goggle the biologic it should tell you on line.I was told by my nurse I could juggle the days round so I didn’t have to inject while away .It stays in your system for many weeks. You should always check with the supplier if you are concerned.