Simponi (Golimumab) is an anti-inflammatory medicine indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondylarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, as well as certain inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease. It’s administered by subcutaneous injection once a month after having received the first 3 starter doses.
Its active substance, Golimumab, is highly sensitive to temperature changes and extreme cold or hot temperatures. It quickly deteriorates when not stored in the right conditions.
So, how to store your Simponi prefilled syringes and SmartJect autoinjectors properly? How to keep them refrigerated and prevent them from going bad even when you’re traveling?
Simponi Storage Temperatures: what’s recommended?
Golimumab, the active ingredient found in Simponi, is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker. It blocks the TNF protein naturally found in the body that’s responsible for joint swelling, inflammation, and other damages.
Like most similar drugs, such as Humira, Enbrel, Orencia, Actemra, Cimzia, Taltz, Kevzara, or Cosentyx used to treat the same health conditions, Simponi is a biologic medicine that comes from living sources. Biological drugs like the ones mentioned above but also Insulin, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Saxenda, Wegovy, and many others do not tolerate well high temperatures, freezing temperatures, temperature variations, or exposure to too much light. They need to be kept refrigerated in their original carton until used and can only stay at room temperature for a limited time without spoiling.
Let’s dig in and find out what the best conditions for storing your Simponi syringes or autoinjector pens at home are.
Storage instructions from Simponi’s manufacturer
Janssen Biotech Inc. is the manufacturer of Golimumab sold under the brand name Simponi. According to its laboratory testing, Simponi must be kept refrigerated and can only be at room temperature for up to 30 days. Here’s what it says precisely:
“refrigerated at 2ºC to 8ºC. If needed, you may store Simponi at room temperature up to 25°C for a period of time up to 30 days.” It specifies that once Simponi has reached room temperature (even for a short period of time), it should not be placed back in the refrigerator.
Moreover, Simponi is also sensitive to extremely cold temperatures. You must prevent your syringe or SmartJet autoinjectors from freezing. Never put them in direct contact with ice, and do not store them near the freezer compartment of your fridge.
How long can Simponi be at room temperature?
According to its manufacturer, Simponi can only be left out of the fridge at room temperature for a period of up to 30 days. During that time, it should never be exposed to temperatures above 25°C. And once it has reached room temperature, you can’t place it back in the fridge.
You should never proceed to an injection with a pen or syringe of Simponi that has not been properly stored. If you know or suspect that your medication has been left out of the fridge for more than 30 days or has been exposed to temperatures above 25°C even for short periods of time, immediately throw it away and get a new one from your fridge or the pharmacy. Using Golimumab that has gone bad can be dangerous.
These rigorous storage conditions make traveling with Simponi a bit tricky. Once the first 3 starter doses have been administered, Simponi is usually taken once a month (once every 4 weeks exactly). What if that next injection occurs during a trip you've planned? How to keep your medication refrigerated while traveling? The safest and most convenient solution is to use a medical-grade portable travel fridge.
Related article: 8 Great tips for traveling with Psoriatic and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Simponi Travel Packs designed by 4AllFamily
4AllFamily has spent the last years designing the best solutions for people traveling with refrigerated medicines. Our medical-grade travel coolers are safe to use and guarantee great peace of mind that your Simponi pens and syringes will be constantly kept at the required temperature range during all types of travel.
Backpackers, hikers, nature-lovers, campers, and outdoor adventurers will enjoy our nomad-size cooling cases. They’re small and lightweight, yet very efficient. They function with biogel freeze packs to keep your medications refrigerated at 2°C - 8°C for 30 hours even when it’s 40°C outside. We even have a smaller model that's ideal for daily use. It weighs 0,45lbs only and keeps your meds cool for up to 10 hours.
Our most performing medical coolers can work with both USB-power and biogel freeze packs. They're ideal for people who need to keep their medications such as Simponi refrigerated for longer periods of time. When plugged into a power source, our portable medical fridge maintains a constant fridge temperature forever. It works just like a normal fridge would do. Besides being super quiet, it’s equipped with a temperature display screen and an anti-freeze security. These coolers can be plugged into any USB power source like a car cigarette lighter, household power, portable power bank, solar panels, etc… They are ideal for road-trippers and hotel roomers.
All our coolers are CATSA-approved for airplane travel. If you don't know which one would be best for you, do not hesitate to contact us. We'd be happy to advise you!
Related article: 10 Great Anti-Inflammatory Snacks for Rheumatoid Arthritis!
