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Has anyone travelled on a long-haul flight with Humira - desperate for information

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Posted 7/30/2009 7:57 AM (GMT 0)

Hi guys,

I'm flying in 3 weeks time on a long haul flight to the UK and have to take my Humira with me on the plane in my hand luggage. My problem is that I cant find anyone with any useful tips on how to do this  shakehead   I've checked with the airline and they don't allow medication to be place in the fridge although they will give you ice.  The problem being that the travel case that I have for my humira has a built in ice pack and needs to be kept in a fridge if over 7 hours!!

Any help anyone can give me or ideas would be much appreciated idea

To take this trip has been a pain to arrange as I've had to get approval from British Embassy to take my Australian medication into the country as on PBS, plus ring the airline to warn them, the airport to get clearance and on top of that a letter to carry, Oh and a form to fill out and keep in my hand luggage for every drug I take (that will need a file in its self)!!!  It's enough that I've had to buy a huge bag just to carry the medication.  Sorry I sound grumpy but it's bad enough having AS but to do a simply trip seems so complicated.  confused On my turn I'm starting Remicade and wont have this problem again, thankfully.

Many thanks

Posted 7/30/2009 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I have not traveled out of the US ever so I really can't help you with this problem.  My only suggestion would be to talk to you doctor about this.  He/She may have an answer for you on how to store your meds.  You might also consult your pharmacist.  They are usually quite helpful - I love mine and ask her many questions relating to meds.

I do know my granddaughter is on blood pressure medication that has to be kept in the fridge.  However, when we flew out of state we were told it was okay to keep on the plane.   Hers is a compound as they don't make pills for children.  The main thing is that is does not get hot.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help but I really would consult a professional and go from there.

I wish you the best of luck :-)

Posted 7/30/2009 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tina - Since my son is diabetic we often have to travel with insulin that needs to be kept cold. We have a special pack where you soak the inside of the pack in water for 5 mins and it puffs up and gets cold. You then put it inside a dryer case. Slip your meds inside and it should keep things cold for 45 hours I think.

Just do a search for FRIO and you will come up with lots of sites that sell them

Here is just one....
http://www.medicool.com/diabetes/diabetes_travel_frio.php?gclid=CLKh9Yf9_ZsCFRghDQoduyhr9Q

Hope this helps,

Tuff
Posted 7/30/2009 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry - that was suppose to be to Peggy https://www.healingwell.com/community/emoticons/smilewinkgrin.gif
Posted 7/31/2009 6:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Peggy, I'm glad you brought up this topic because I've been wondering the exact same thing. How to travel with humira!!! No one including my pharmacist has given me any decent solutions, except to use the fridge en plane but from what you're saying thats not allowed. I'm wondering whether the humira people themselves have any solutions as it only lasts 2 hours out of the fridge!!! rolleyes

Please keep us posted if you find a good solution, golitho

Posted 7/31/2009 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
Seriously the FRIO packs work for any medication but you usually find them on diabetes sites. It is exactly what you are looking for. They keep things cold for 45 hours. Do a seach for FRIO pack and you will be able to buy at lots of sites.
Posted 8/1/2009 6:27 AM (GMT 0)

I just love this site. smilewinkgrin   Thank you all for your replies and help, all have been really helpful and I now have the problem solved which may help some of you too.

I looked up the site for the FRIO packs, great site by the way and very helpful. The only problem was having read all the instructions etc it wouldn't keep the Humira at the temp of between 4-8C.  Thank you for the advice though and a site I've saved on my favourites.

I decided to find the number for Humira Australia and rang them up and was put through to their 'medical section'. Very helpful people and run by nurses.  The advice given was that it's o.k to freeze the travel pack you get when on Humira and put everything in there, this will last for about 6=8 hours. Once on the plane take with you jiffy bags and ask the seward for ice, place the ice in the jiffy bags (nothing will get wet then) and put inside the travel purse. Empty out water in an hour or two and start again.  Once at your destination put into fridge straight away.  The nurse said  not to worry about keeping at the temps suggested as this was a guide. As long as you keep it fairly cold that's o.k. I must say I feel much better now as it was beginning to be a worry.  The temps suggested are to cover themselves, just don't let it get too warm or 'freeze!

Hope this helps some of you too. Once again thank you for all your suggestions.  As I'm going straight on Remicade on my return this wont be a problem going forward, I just have to arrange holidays around hospital visits...

Have a great weekend.

Posted 8/3/2009 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going to be traveling to Australia in a few weeks from the USA. door to door will be about 22 hours. My Enbrel ships to the locate pharm in a special shipping box with insulation and better than average cold packs. I plan to reuse them for this trip. I found it helpfull to place an electric thermometer with a remote display in the box in insure the temp is correct. I found that wrapping the enbrel in a small towel helps regulate the temp between the cold packs and the medication. I practiced hauling it around with me one day to make sure i had it set up perfect and it lasted longer than 30 hours with no outside ice or messing around.

good luck.

i hope my box works in a few weeks for the real thing.

 

Posted 8/4/2009 4:02 AM (GMT 0)

Many thanks for that, it's good to have lots of information and ideas. I do hope your trip to our lovely land is an enjoyable one. It's a bit cold here at the moment but should start to warm up by the end of the month. By cold I mean 19C which to us is cold being used to higher temperatures!Having said that it depends on which bit of Australia your visiting as it's different in each state.

Have a safe trip. :-)

Posted 7/4/2013 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Would it be possible to get an additional prescription from your doctor, and then just take that and get it filled when you need your Humira? That way you wouldn't have to take it on the plane. The medication has a long shelf-life so what you already have should be OK at home in your refrigerator while you travel.
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