Air Travel/Keeping Medication Cool

[minnie mum]

I have very recently been put on a new medication. It is an injection that I give myself twice weekly. It must be kept refrigerated, and I was given a travel kit with a freezer pack by the manufacturer.
I know that the autoinjector will not be a problem with TSA, at the security check. I have a doctor's letter and carry the medication in its original packaging. But what about the freezer pack? Will they ban it because it's a gel?
Anyone have previous experience with this scenario?

ETA: wasn't sure if I should post this here or on the Transportation board. Understand if moderator wishes to move this.

 

[cmesq61]

The freezer pack is no problem. I generally go through with a zip lock bag full of ice in my Disney Princesses lunch box, and I have no problem.

 

[minnie mum]

Thanks so much for the info. It's a relief- one less thing to stress over our next trip!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

In the future, you can easily get the answers to these types of questions by going to the source, the TSA website:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1059.shtm

 

[SueM in MN]

If the ice or gel pack is used for medication, it is allowed to go thru security, even though it is more than 3 ounces.
This is a link to the TSA webpage about Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions. Here is a quote about ice or frozen gels for medications:

"Frozen items are allowed as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If frozen items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 requirements."

 

[minnie mum]

If the ice or gel pack is used for medication, it is allowed to go thru security, even though it is more than 3 ounces.
This is a link to the TSA webpage about Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions. Here is a quote about ice or frozen gels for medications:

"Frozen items are allowed as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If frozen items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 requirements."

This is really important for me, since I live more than 2 hours from our airport. Think I'll need to put everything in a cooler in the car trunk, along with extra ice, if I'm gonna keep that sucker frozen solid for that long!

 

[SueM in MN]

This is really important for me, since I live more than 2 hours from our airport. Think I'll need to put everything in a cooler in the car trunk, along with extra ice, if I'm gonna keep that sucker frozen solid for that long!

What many people do is keep their ice until they get to security and if they make you throw it out, get more ice from a restaurant or even from the flight attendants after getting thru security.
I would also check with your Pharmacist about what temperature the medication needs to be held at and how long it can go at a higher temperature. For some, refrigerator is for long term storage. If it can be cool, but not refrigerator for a short time, many people use Frio wallets. They keep cool with just water. It is not refrigerator temperature, but works well for insulin and other medications that need to be kept cool.

 

[minnie mum]

Another excellent suggestion! Thank you soooooooooooomuch for all of your great and useful information.

 

[Disney4us2]

I keep my insulin pens cold with a pen cooler. It is material with crystals inside. You then place the cooler into a special cover. When you activate it with cold water they turn into a gel that will keep the meds cold/cool for several days. When not in use they turn back into crystals.

It is called the Frio Insulin coolers. They come in several sizes and a variety of colors

You can find the coolers at CoolerConcept dot com. They work great

 

[maryrego]

I also use the FRIO and have never had a problem
They work great.

 

[SueM in MN]

I also use the FRIO and have never had a problem
They work great.

It is important to check with a Pharmacist about the temperature that the medication needs to be held at. Frio pacs are to keep things cool, but if a medication needs to be kept at refrigerator temperature, the FRIO pac may not be cool enough.