Question about traveling with temp-controlled medications

[Princesca]

ETA Part 2: Just to clarify, I do not need to keep this medication cool. It just cannot get above 86 degrees. So it needs to stay at room temperature.

ETA: I would rather not have to buy anything to keep it cool since this is something I otherwise never need. Also this med can't be frozen, if that matters.

I am on an injectible medication that, per manufacturer, can go 21 days without refrigeration, but isn't supposed to be exposed to temps above 86. I only need to bring one with me as it's a weekly injection. It will be fine once I get to the resort, as I'll stick it in the bev cooler, but if I am flying in and have it in my carry-on and take it to Disney Springs in a backpack, is it likely to get to temps of above 86 when we'll be constantly going in and out of AC?

Alternatively, when we get to the hotel before we go to Disney Springs, can I ask the resort to hold the one injectable pen for me?

 

[RoseGold]

You can buy an insulin insulated pouch with the gel packs to take on the plane, they're allowed by TSA. I played with my niece's and a bluetooth temp sensor and it stayed nice and cool in very hot weather.

Assuming you are staying at a Disney hotel, they have massive commercial fridges, and storing this will be no problem. I would imagine any decent Orlando hotel would be able to do this.

Just buy the cooler pouch. You don't want to be injecting contaminated medication or freaking out because you are delayed for three hours at the airport.

 

[lanejudy]

A FRIO will keep the pen at the temp it was when you insert it. So if it comes out of the fridge it will stay cold, if it's been room temp it will stay at room temp. And the FRIO keeps it for up to 36 hours I think. Not very expensive. Toss it into your suitcase and have it for future travels if you don't need it regularly.

 

[Princesca]

Just buy the cooler pouch. You don't want to be injecting contaminated medication or freaking out because you are delayed for three hours at the airport.

I wouldn't freak out at the airport, it's air conditioned. This is not a medication that has to be kept cool like insulin does. It can sit at room temperature for weeks. It just can't get above 86. That's why I don't really want to buy anything if I don't have to. I don't need to keep it at all cool, I just need to keep it below 86. I figure if I'm spending most of my travel time in air-con, and my med is out of direct sunlight, it will probably be fine. I was curious about other people's medication.

 

[Princesca]

A FRIO will keep the pen at the temp it was when you insert it. So if it comes out of the fridge it will stay cold, if it's been room temp it will stay at room temp. And the FRIO keeps it for up to 36 hours I think. Not very expensive. Toss it into your suitcase and have it for future travels if you don't need it regularly.

Thanks, I might look into this but this trip has been so expensive, I really don't want to drop more $$ on something I'm not even sure I need or will ever need again. I do like that the Frio keeps it at whatever it is, though, because I'm nervous about an icepack freezing it. Freezing it will ruin it and I won't be able to use it.

 

[RoseGold]

You could put it in something you already have, like an insulated lunch box or thermos or something. With kids, I think I have like four things that would work without buying anything. Or heck, a gel pack and a baggie.

But TSA is going to flag needles full of liquid anyway, so I'd just get the $10 case on Amazon so I can separate it out with what they're used to seeing for injectables, and they're not handling my stuff.

You could even bring a baggie and find some ice at the airport so there's no gel packs on the way home.

 

[lanejudy]

I do like that the Frio keeps it at whatever it is, though, because I'm nervous about an icepack freezing it.

The FRIO is probably about $25 and do you really think you will never travel again? Alternatively, you could also try just putting it in a good insulated lunch bag, no icepack. A good insulated lunch bag should keep the item at the temp it was when inserted for a few hours. It's going to be bulkier than a FRIO, and if flying you do need to have it in your carry-on as a liquid (though exempt from the 3-1-1 rule).

 

[Lewisc]

You're overthinking this, as are PP. You're not going to be outside long enough for the medicine to get over 86. You won't be holding the pen in direct sunlight. It will be in your backpack. Shade. Wrap it in bubble wrap or a T shirt.

Will the temperature be in the high 90s? Will you be outside for hours?

Different answer if you were going to spend.the.day in.a water park.

It's probably not the end of the world if the medicine gets to 87 for.a few minutes.

Edited to add I'd be more concerned packing the pen so it doesn't break. Do you.have a stainless steel water bottle big enough to hold the pen. That will keep it well below 86 and protect it

 

[EACarlson]

But TSA is going to flag needles full of liquid anyway, so I'd just get the $10 case on Amazon so I can separate it out with what they're used to seeing for injectables, and they're not handling my stuff.

I've flown 50 times with my insulin pens in a Frio and never been flagged probably 20 with an insulin pen not in a Frio and never been flagged.
The Frio would be my suggestion. Frio's are $25 on Amazon and worth it just to make sure you don't have an issue in this case. You would probably be fine, but I know how hot the inside of a backpack can get when it's in the sun or in a vehicle.

 

[RoseGold]

It's probably not the end of the world if the medicine gets to 87 for.a few minutes.

Injections aren't temp controlled because they magically stop working in heat. They are refrigerated for bacteria growth. I would just get a $10 pouch and make sure it stays nice and cool, no matter what happens with OP's plans.

 

[Mle8308]

I'd buy an inexpensive cooler pack for it, as the others have suggested. You said you've spent enough on your vacation already, would you want it ruined because you didn't want to spend another $25? Chances are it won't happen, but there is always a chance. I wouldn't take the risk for that little money.

 

[ttintagel]

I'd buy an inexpensive cooler pack for it, as the others have suggested. You said you've spent enough on your vacation already, would you want it ruined because you didn't want to spend another $25? Chances are it won't happen, but there is always a chance. I wouldn't take the risk for that little money.

This is always my philosophy, too.; While the risk may be low, it's not a risk I'm prepared to take because the consequences if something does go wrong would be much more trouble than the effort/resources it takes to play it safe. It goes without saying that each traveler is free to calculate their own ideal ratio of risk to hassle of risk avoidance.

 

[Selket]

ETA Part 2: Just to clarify, I do not need to keep this medication cool. It just cannot get above 86 degrees. So it needs to stay at room temperature.

ETA: I would rather not have to buy anything to keep it cool since this is something I otherwise never need. Also this med can't be frozen, if that matters.

I am on an injectible medication that, per manufacturer, can go 21 days without refrigeration, but isn't supposed to be exposed to temps above 86. I only need to bring one with me as it's a weekly injection. It will be fine once I get to the resort, as I'll stick it in the bev cooler, but if I am flying in and have it in my carry-on and take it to Disney Springs in a backpack, is it likely to get to temps of above 86 when we'll be constantly going in and out of AC?

Alternatively, when we get to the hotel before we go to Disney Springs, can I ask the resort to hold the one injectable pen for me?

Maybe the beverage coolers in the rooms now are different but the old ones loved to freeze things (like insulin) depending on where you put them in the cooler. I think if it is ok being room temp I'd leave it out of the cooler unless it really needs to be cooled down. I'd wrap the insulin bottles in a dish towel and put them in a plastic container in the hotel fridges to try to assure they didn't get too cold just in case. If I carried the insulin on ice I did the same thing more or less (keeping it at the top of the cooler). I think the new coolers at the WDW resort don't have that spot that freezes things but I am not sure.

 

[RoseGold]

Maybe the beverage coolers in the rooms now are different but the old ones loved to freeze things (like insulin) depending on where you put them in the cooler.

That's true. Minifridges do have the risk of freezing things. All the more reason to just use some ice and a pouch.

 

[nw6675]

DH is also on the weekly injection (or was until everyone started getting it prescribed for weight loss and pharmacies couldn't keep it in stock - but I digress lol) - we usually just put a cheap reusable ice pack in a lunch bag and haven't had any problems at all. As others said, just in a covered backpack out of direct sunlight should be fine as the temp shouldn't rise that high.

 

[Lewisc]

Injections aren't temp controlled because they magically stop working in heat. They are refrigerated for bacteria growth. I would just get a $10 pouch and make sure it stays nice and cool, no matter what happens with OP's plans.

Insulin loses it's effectiveness at higher temperatures.

OP is bringing a single use pen needle, not an opened vial.

 

[leebee]

You are right, it's not going to get above 86degrees on the plane, in the airport, etc. A few years ago I bought insulated lunch pouches at Dollar Tree. They aren't very big (hold a couple of sandwiches maybe) and work well enough to keep our sandwiches cold if there's an ice pack inside. I'd get my med cold, wrap it in some sort of insulation (even if it's just a wash cloth) and put it in the insulated pouch. Bring a small ziplock bag and once you clear security, ask for some ice at a concession stand in the airport if you are worried about the temp in the bag. You should be fine. (it's what I'd do, and have done with liquid meds that need refrigeration- for quite a few hours).