The holiday season is approaching, and that means a busy travel season is coming up, with many taking to the skies to visit family and friends or to take long-needed vacations. As an air traveler living with multiple sclerosis (MS), your travel experience will be less exasperating if you leave behind inconvenience and unpredictability, 2 companions that like to tag along with those who have to take medications, especially ones that require syringes and refrigeration, regularly. For a carefree journey, learn about your drug’s portability and the rules for traveling with it before you embark.
Storing Your DMT Properly
Keeping your medication cool is important when planning your travel. Not all disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) have the same storage requirements (Table). A vial of lyophilized (powder form) Avonex® [intramuscular (IM) interferon (IFN) β-1a] may be kept at room temperature (77°F) for up to 30 days and must be injected immediately or within 6 hours if kept refrigerated. Prefilled syringes can be stored for 7 days at 77°F but should otherwise be kept refrigerated. A vial of Betaseron® [subcutaneous (SC) IFN β-1b] may be stored at room temperature; after it is reconstituted it may be refrigerated for <3 hours.
Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate) and Rebif® (SC IFN β-1a) come in prefilled, ready-to-inject syringes. Recently, the makers of Copaxone announced that prefilled syringes of its drug may be safely stored at room temperature for <1 month, rather than the previously approved 7 days. Rebif syringes should be refrigerated but may be kept at or below room temperature for <30 days. A supply of alcohol wipes, gauze pads, and adhesive bandages come with all the self-injectable MS medications. All medications should be protected from heat and light, especially when unrefrigerated.
Airlines generally will not store your medication in plane refrigerators, but there are small, packable, and fairly inexpensive (under $50) devices that provide up to 20 hours of cooling. Visit www.insulpakbag.com and www.medi-fridge.com to learn more. The makers of Copaxone (1.800.887.8100), Rebif (1.877.447.3243), and Betaseron (1.800.788.1467) also provide users with complimentary travel kits.
Regarding air travel requirements for medications, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises the following:
- prescription medications in reasonable quantities for the duration of your trip are allowed through security checkpoints
- if you carry on more than 3 ounces of liquid medication, keep the medication labeled and separate from other liquids, declare it to security officers, and present it for additional inspection at X-ray screening
- you may ask security officers to inspect your medication visually rather than X-ray it
- syringes are allowed through security once screened; sheathe or securely wrap them to prevent injury
These requirements can change, especially during a busy travel period, so be sure to check for the most up-to-date information before you leave for your trip. Visit the TSA Web page for people traveling with medications at www.tsa.dhs.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1059.shtm.
It is also wise to pack extra medication in case your trip is extended for a few days longer than planned, especially if you are traveling abroad. You can also ask your doctor to write a prescription that you can use to either refill or replace a supply of medication at your destination’s local pharmacy. It may be a good idea to take along that prescription or a note from your doctor as evidence of your need to carry your DMT with you to help avoid problems with airport security.
Like many activities, traveling with MS requires a bit of preparation, but it can be done without too much fuss. Being informed and equipped with the proper materials can help make your flight experience stress free.
