Traveling can open doors to new experiences and create lasting memories, but for those managing inflammatory conditions with temperature-sensitive medications like Humira, it also introduces a layer of complexity. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a lengthy overseas journey, transporting Humira in the right conditions is important.
In this guide, we'll explain why a dedicated Humira travel case is not only a convenience but a necessity for your health and peace of mind. We'll also cover essential travel tips, including how to fly with Humira, pack your medications securely, and cross international borders without hassle. Let's go!
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Why You Need A Travel Case for Humira
Like most injectables used to treat inflammatory conditions, including Enbrel, Actemra, Cimzia, Orencia, Taltz, Kevzara, Cosentyx, or Simponi, Humira (adalimumab) is especially sensitive to temperature and light exposure. This means it can lose its effectiveness quickly if it's not stored properly.
According to AbbVie, the manufacturer, Humira needs to be refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C and protected from light before first use. Once opened or removed from the fridge, you can then keep Humira at room temperature, but no warmer than 25°C, and only for up to two weeks (14 days)-and still, keep it out of the light!
Therefore, traveling with Humira adds another layer of challenge. It's crucial to keep your Humira pen cool and protected, whether you're jetting off or just out and about in hot climates.
If temperatures might tip over 25°C, it's smart to invest in a travel case cooler to carry your Humira pens or syringes. And if you're carrying Humira supplies for more than 14 days, they'll need to be transported in a refrigerated case! This helps ensure your medication stays at the right temperature, keeping it effective and safe while you're on the move.
A reliable Humira travel case isn't just a good idea; it's an essential part of managing your treatment effectively when you're away from home. It's all about peace of mind, knowing that your Humira is as ready as you are, no matter where your travel takes you.
Related article: Humira storage: How long can Humira be out of the fridge without risks?
Humira Travel Cases from 4AllFamily
Imagine you're trekking along a secluded hiking path, far from any power source, or embarking on a month-long road trip across the vast landscapes of Canada. Perhaps you're even preparing for a lengthy 14-hour flight. In each scenario, the challenge remains: How to keep Humira cool?
While a DIY cooler bag might seem like a quick fix for transporting Humira, it often falls short in ensuring the strict temperature control needed for such sensitive medication. The temperature inside regular insulated lunch bags can fluctuate significantly and jeopardize your medication. Moreover, the hassle of melting ice can lead to a messy situation, creating more stress rather than easing it while traveling. Not to mention that these crafted coolers are often not approved by the CATSA for airtravels.
Enter 4AllFamily travel cases-designed specifically for the needs of those traveling with medications like Humira. These medical-grade cooler cases provide a stable, reliable environment for traveling with Humira, ensuring it remains at the ideal temperature, no matter the external conditions, no matter where your travel takes you!
Our wide range of medical travel cases is made to fit everyone's needs from a few hours of protection from the outside heat to several days of constant refrigeration.
Because there's really two different scenarios when traveling with Humira, requiring different kinds of travel cases:
- You're traveling with unrefrigerated Humira pens or syringes for less than 14 days. In that case you need a travel case to carry them at room temperature and protected from the heat below 25°C.
- You're traveling with refrigerated Humira pens for more than 14 days. In that case, you need to transport your pens in a refrigerated travel case.
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Humira travel cases for heat protection
When traveling with Humira for less than 14 days, it's not always necessary to keep it refrigerated, as Humira can be stored at room temperature-up to 25°C - for up to 14 days.
However, in warmer climates, where temperatures can exceed 25°C, keeping your Humira cool becomes essential, as even brief exposure to high temperatures can significantly compromise the effectiveness of your medication.
The Chiller Advanced Travel Cases are ideal for traveling with opened Humira pens. These compact, lightweight cooling pouches utilize innovative evaporative cooling technology, requiring no ice or electricity, and can maintain cool temperatures for at least 45 hours of travel!
And if you need more storage space to carry multiple Humira pens, the Companion Insulated Cooler Bag can accommodate up to 3 pens, making it perfect for longer trips or when you need to transport several doses.
Humira travel coolers for refrigerated transport
Now, if you're traveling with Humira pens or syringes for more than 14 days, you need a travel case that can perform fridge temperatures. It's crucial to maintain the cold chain here, as if Humira is exposed to temperatures above fridge standards (8°C) for even a few hours, you would have to use it within 14 days max.
4AllFamily designs not only travel cooling cases, but also reliable portable fridges to travel with refrigerated medications like Humira. Our portable refrigerators are engineered to maintain a strict temperature range of 2°C to 8°C. They are CATSA-approved for air travel, and can function with or without power.
The Voyager Travel Refrigerator, for instance, allows you to carry up to 3 refrigerated Humira pens for more than 30 hours off-the-grid, or for an unlimited time when plugged into a USB power source.
With the Nomad Portable Cooling Cases, you can also keep 4 Humira syringes or 3 Humira pens refrigerated while traveling, without electricity. And the same goes with the Explorer, our 3-in-1 Travel Case Cooler, that can keep Humira refrigerated for over 52 hours!
Tips to Keep Humira Cool While Traveling
You've understood it, whether you're on an international flight, enjoying a cruise, taking a road trip across the country, or planning a day at the beach, keeping Humira cool is an absolute necessity, not an option! Besides using a good Humira travel case, here are some more tips to keep your Humira cool and protected from light in various travel scenarios:
- Avoid direct sunlight and keep your Humira pens and syringes in a shaded place whenever possible. If you are outdoors, use an umbrella or a shaded spot even if you have a cooler.
- If you plan to go to the beach or warm places, it's best to leave your medication in your hotel room, preferably in a fridge if not needed immediately.
- Never leave your Humira pen in the car. Cars can heat up quickly, especially in the sun, turning them into ovens that can make Humira go bad quickly.
- Always keep Humira away from heat sources, like kitchens, campfires, heaters, chimneys, and others. Heat can accelerate the degradation of the medication.
- Monitor temperature regularly. Use a cooler with a built-in thermometer to keep a regular check on the internal temperature, ensuring it stays within safe limits.
- If you use a DIY cooler bag for Humira, use gel packs instead of ice. Gel packs typically last longer than ice and don't create a mess by leaking water as they thaw. Always have a backup plan in case your primary cooling method fails. This might include a second set of gel packs or knowing where you can access ice or another cooler quickly.
- If you're flying, make sure your cooling solution complies with airlines and CATSA regulations. All 4AllFamily Humira travel cases are CATSA-approved.
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More Tips for Traveling with Humira
Flying with Humira
You can bring Humira on a plane, of course. You can bring Humira pens, prefilled syringes, and all associated medical supplies (including unused and used needles, alcohol swabs, etc.) on a plane.
Injectable medications are exempt from the CATSA liquid rules, as confirmed by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. For safety and convenience, always carry your Humira and medical supplies in your carry-on. Checked baggage can be lost or exposed to unstable temperature conditions in the hold. You do not need any specific documentation to fly nationally with Humira, as long as the labels are easily readable.
Also, note that pressure changes during flight can cause air bubbles in your Humira pens or syringes. So, make sure to expel this air by priming your pen or syringe before injecting the next dose.
Related article: Flying with Arthritis, How to Prepare for Long-Haul Flights?
Can Humira go through CATSA screenings?
Yes, like most medications, Humira can safely undergo x-ray examinations at airport security checks. But if you prefer, you can request a manual hand-screening of your medications to avoid x-rays.
Related article: 10 Great Anti-inflammatory Snacks for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
How to travel internationally with Humira?
Another big concern for people traveling with chronic diseases is how to travel internationally with their medications. To ensure a smooth passage through airport security and border customs, make sure you have the following documentation ready:
- A letter from your doctor detailing your Humira treatment
- A copy of your prescription
- Humira stored in its original packaging with labels intact
- Your medical insurance card or a proof of travel insurance
Related article: Arthritis Travel Insurance: How to Make Sure You're Covered?
How to pack Humira for Travel
Packing Humira for travel involves more than just keeping it cool; it's also about ensuring your medication is secure, accessible, and ready when you need it. Here are essential tips for packing Humira effectively, ensuring it remains protected and compliant with travel regulations, no matter your destination.
- Temperature control. As mentioned above, use a Humira travel case or a portable refrigerator to carry Humira at the right temperature while traveling.
- Keep it accessible. Always carry your medication with you and within easy reach to avoid losing it and to simplify inspections at airport security or customs.
- Cushion your Humira pens or syringes to safeguard them against physical impacts during travel.
- Label clearly. Mark all medications with your name, the medication's name, and the dosage to avoid any confusion.
Following these few tips will help you travel stress-free with Humira, so you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about your medication storage!
We'd Love to Hear From You!
We hope these tips help simplify your travel preparations with Humira. If you have any stories or questions about traveling with Humira or our Humira travel cases, or if you'd like to share your own travel tips, please leave a comment below. We love hearing from you and learning about your experiences!