MTX and Air Travel Question | Arthritis Information
Hi everybody! I remember from a previous discussion regarding travel and MTX that carrying the syringes and the MTX vial on board is not a problem. My question is, do you fill your syringes before you leave? I've been filling three syringes at a time and keeping them in the refrigerator until needed, although I understand refrigeration is not necessary unless they will be exposed to very warm temperatures. It would probably be easier to have them pre-filled, but I wonder if that causes any kind of problem, like air pressure issues or some sort of health code restrictions. Anybody know? pre filled could get you into trouble because the medication is not in its original bottle. I don't think you'd get them through securityDon't pre-fill them - bring the vial with the prescription label on it, and also a copy of the prescription with your syringes. In general, you should have all your meds in their original containers, whether they are OTC or prescription. The TSA gets a little overzealous. A friend of mine was detained for 2 hours because a TSA agent freaked out over an Imitrex tablet in a keychain medication vial.
Buckeye and Jasmine, that's what I needed to know. Thank you!And never put meds in your checked baggage. Always carry them with you.
Yes, I always do. I also learned from my sister's recent problem with lost luggage to try to bring a change of clothes (or at least underwear) in the carry-on. If I may jump in here:
If I need to take my enbrel injection (pre-filled) to Dallas (when I go in Oct/Nov) I need to refrigerate it and would carry on w/ my luggage. but heck.. What do you put it in? the containers they send it in (big foam insulators) won't work...
I just used an insulated bag w/ice pack. The kind that kids (or at least mine) used to use for camp or school - or adults to bring lunch to work. Kept my enbrel and mtx in the same carryon and had no problems. There are also insulated carriers made specifically for insulin and other do-it-yerself injectables. They typically have a slot for a cold pack, elastic loops to secure the vials, and pockets for syringes, alcohol wipes, etc.
My aunt has
this one.
You should also have a letter from your Rd with all you meds that you are traveling with. Are you going somewhere exciting?
Just another vote for taking your needles and mtx vials in your carry on. I did this for travel to Europe and to the US (from Canada) and didn't have any problems. I put my mtx vial in my medium sized ziploc bag that held all my liquids. No problems. (Actually, credit for this goes to Katie on this website. I had the same question and she asked a family member who works in US airport security.)
Don't bother with a note, they don't look at that just include a prescription label like what is on the box on MTX, Humira or Enbrel. They really like meds to be in their perscription bottles too so don't mix pills unless you have them in days of the week boxes.
Make sure the ice pack is a manufactured one like what comes in the packaging. Don't try to make one out of baggies or use a beat up one. They check the seals closely.
Have fun.The companies that make Kineret, Enbrel and Humira will give you a travel kit for your med at no cost. Everytime I started a new biologic either the representative of the company or my rheumy gave me a starter kit for the med. Enbrel and Humira both will supply you with sharps containers. Humira will also send you a mailer with the sharps container that is postage paid. When it is filled you mail it in the box and they will dispose of it for you. This service is free. Info is on their websites.I have traveled with my Humira (prefilled needle). I put it an insulated lunch bag with one of those ice blocks. I did not have a note from my doctor. In fact, I did not pull it out of my carryon. I did ask the lady at the x-ray machine if I needed to pull it out and she said it was not necessary. I have only traveled in the USA with it. Was not a problem. Remember all the diabetes traveling with meds. I travel frequently for business, as do many of my co-workers. Especially at the smaller airports, the TSA agents can sometimes go overboard, and just because you had no problems once doesn't mean that you won't encounter problems the next time.
My DH has suggested that I not even bother with the syringe because I still have some pills left over from when I was going the oral route. So I'm thinking maybe I'll just go back to my old 20 mg. dose by pills for two weeks. Is there any reason you can think of why I shouldn't do this? I know the pills are not as effective but for two weeks I'm thinking I should be OK. What do you think?If you call enbrel they will send you a nice travel kit. Also, I call enbrel to get a new disposer for my needles every time it fills up. They send it right out. I know some people buy them but they dont have to. I never had a problem taking y enbrel or any other medson the plane.
I'd ask you RD if you can take the pills.
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