Med cooler

My husband and I haven’t been out of Alaska (other than for short medical appts in Seattle) for a couple years now and, provided we aren’t supposed to get 20 feet of snow again this year, we’re hoping to do so this winter. I’ve made short ish excursions with a cooler for my Humira but now getting out of Alaska to just about anywhere other than the Pacific Northwest takes well over 24 hrs of travel. Usually without access to a freezer/fridge. Since I use Humira weekly I will have to travel with more than just 2 pens, meaning I need to be sure they stay properly cold during transport. And possibly even at the destination. I have a cooler with ice packs good for up to about 12 hrs but after that is a crap shoot. I’ve been looking at little battery powered travel med coolers. Many are too small for more than one or two Humira pens since they are designed primarily for short trips with stuff like insulin/needles. I’ve seen several that look very promising, and fairly expensive, but the user reviews are all over the map regarding temperature, longevity, etc. So I’m asking my peeps here if anyone has one of these travel med ‘refrigerators’.

A different take. . . Can the meds be sent directly to your location while you’re away?

Also, humira can be at room temperature for some time.

From their website at Web site

Can I store HUMIRA at room temperature?

If needed, for example when traveling, HUMIRA may be stored at room temperature up to a maximum of 77°F (25°C) for a period of up to 14 days, with protection from light. HUMIRA should be discarded if not used within the 14-day period.

When not traveling, store HUMIRA in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) in its original carton until you are ready to use it.

Sharon

When I was on Humira, our dispensing pharmacy offered to send it any where I was traveling. If you are staying in one place, it would be easy for them to ship it to your location. I think it is a courtesy.

Thanks for replying. @Stoney and @Amos yes, I know about the 14 day thing. And I’ve thought of trying to get it sent somewhere close to wherever we will be. Although we haven’t decided where we want to go just yet. My husband wants somewhere with no snow and warm. Winters here the last few years have been brutal. Just last year literally 20 feet of snow at our house and a longer than normal period of sub zero temps.

I’ve had UNBELIEVABLE issues getting Humira complicated by being on high dose weekly injections. Meaning 4 pens per month. Once it was delivered nearly frozen. Several times it was already 68 to 72 degrees when I got it. So 2 pens were already Lord knows how long into the 2 week ‘safe to use zone’ and the other 2 not usable at all by the time I needed them. But now going through Costco I think I have found a FAR more reliable source so that part should be taken care of. My concern is if I have to travel with more than 2 pens I need to have a reliable way to transport what will not be used within 2 weeks. Abbvie no longer provides travel bags with ice packs, however on eBay I managed to find the exact bag they used to give away. But sadly without the ice packs designed for it. I have ice packs that I did a trial run with yesterday and was VERY impressed and surprised that after 16 hours it was still in the temp range. But I did not have anything but the ice packs in it and I did not have anywhere particularly warm to trial it. Both factors will make a difference in longevity. I guess if all else fails we could always plan our vacation around Costco locations and pick it up that way.

Other than just traveling with it is storage when we get there. If our only option is one of those hotel mini fridges there may be an issue since they are somewhat notorious for erratic temperature fluctuations with warm and cold spots, not to mention rapidly warming every time the door is opened and taking awhile to cool back down. But I may just be obsessing. I will admit with the incredible hassle I’ve had getting it in the proper temp range and struggling with the company for replacement without charging me (it’s not my fault they sent it inadequately packed!) I’m just a tad gun shy.

I plan to talk to the pharmacist here about getting it from another location during vacation. And look into all the lovely vaca spots Costco may be :laughing:

Thanks. Y’all are the BEST!

@Amos We also don’t know if we will be in just one place. We’ve talked about a road trip but IDK.