Refrigerated meds--how do you have them on the plane?

[2littleprincesses]

We are going to WDW in August and I have self injecting meds that I have to refrigerate. I have already requested a frig for this at ASMu. Just wondering how do I fly with it? Do I need to pack a cooler or can I get dry ice? How do you do it?

TIA

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Always pack a travelcooler! Never depend on others when it comes to something as important as medication. If the airline can help out; great. But if not, you're then facing at least a headache to get replacement medications and possibly worse. Besides that, you never know how things go down. What if the flight gets delayed for hours before boarding? Oh well, I'll stop the preaching. If you don't already have one (some medical companies supply them when supplying the meds), there are special travel coolers for meds. Rather small things, so no real inconvenience and great assurance that the meds will be OK. If you haven't got one yet; google is your best friend.

 

[2littleprincesses]

Thanks! i have a cooler from Enbrel, but was wondering about how to keep it cool. I will ask my rheumatologist and the company that supplies my meds. Thanks!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Talk to the company, they should be able to tell you.

My dad also uses Enbrel and got a travel cooler when first getting his medication. Like you, he was a bit hesitant still. So, he contacted the supplier and fired off all his questions. Before he knew it, he was assured and got another cooler sent to him just to be sure.

 

[SueM in MN]

You don't have to worry about bringing it thru security. You can have ice packs or gel cooling pacs for medications. All you need to do is show your cooler/pacs to the security people and explain that it is for medication. In the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is one post about air travel that includes links to the TSA website page about medications.

If you are delayed and you need to cool it more, you can get ice from a Fast Food place or from the Flight Attendants on the flight. There is no restriction on bringing fluids onto the plane if you get them after passing thru security.

I'd agree with the others about asking the Pharmacist or company that makes the medication. Some medications are more 'fragile' and should not be carried with ice because the ice can make them too cold.

Another possiblity is a Frio Pac, which many people with diabetes use to keep their insulin cool without needing ice or gel pacs.

 

[PatsMom]

I don't have anything to add to the good advice you've gotten except to say that I've travelled with refrigerated medication several times with absolutely no problem. I use insulin and Byetta. I've taken a regular little cooler with an ice pack. We stay overnight at a hotel near the airport so I have no way of re-freezing the ice pack. On the second day I vill a ziploc bag with ice at the hotel. When I get to security I just point out that I have a cooler with medication and ice. I've never had a problem.

 

[buffettgirl]

I also vote for just a little cooler back and a cold pack. We've never had trouble getting that through security. And frio packs are good too.