A warning for those traveling with Humira...

So, apparently there's a very specific way to travel with Humira. I've flown with the medicine before, just putting the pens in an insulated lunchbox with ice packs. However, this weekend I traveled a very long distance by car and used a larger cooler with ice. I was concerned about the temperature fluctuations so I called Humira...after traveling (and here was the mistake).

I was referred to an Abbott medical specialist who told me there is a very specific procedure for traveling with the medicine that requires a thermometer and a mix of ice packs and ice.

Now I'm stuck without medicine and have a huge stomach ache. Fortunately, I have a 1 time override with my insurance company and can get a new shipment on Wednesday.

But just a word of warning--if you're traveling soon, call the following number: 1-866-292-9801, 8am to 5pm CT, Monday-Friday. They'll give you a complete run down of the proper way to travel with the medicine.

It's better to be safe than sorry in this case and I was just naive by not calling ahead. There are even special instructions for flying--you should not put your medicine in the xray--maybe this is obvious but I definitely did that last time!

Anyway, just want to make sure no one else makes the same mistake!

mkl11,

You stated not to put your medicine through the x-ray. I current do not take humira, but wonder if that is the same for all medications. I take pentasa, Iumran & dicyclomine.

Good advice. I travelled overseas last year, 28 hour trip there and then multiple trips after I got there. That insulated lunch pack went thru a lot of xrays and seemed to be OK. I had called their help line before I left and they had not mentioned the xrays to me. Had wanted to try and find out how long it could be not refrigerated and stay good, but they said they never tested for that. I did get a little thermometer to put in pack, actually had the free one you can get from humira inside a larger lunch pack. But I found opening them up to check the temperature caused the ice packs to melt that much faster. 

Hi, after reading some great info. I have gone o/s taking humira with me. I have a cool pack that says lasts for 12hrs. I am travelling in hot climates-south east asia, and have been on the road for 1mth now and had one shot so far.
Although the cool pack states 12hrs and it must be refridgerated i have had trouble finding accommodation with fridges at times and have had to wet the pack and just have the air-con on at 16oC. Then stick it in the fridge at my next destination. this has worked fine as i had no negative side affects after my shot. This is also with travelling up to 10hrs on a bus through the day.
However, i noticed my other syringe which was put in a safe(due to communication difficulties) and when i looked at it next it was cloudy!! then i put it in a fridge and it went clear again.
I will post next after i have jabbed myself with it, but crossing fingers i will be ok.
hope this info. helps.