Injected prescription medication needs refrigeration

My brother travels with insulin all the time and doesn't have problems. I don't see how this would be much different but you will need to think about cold packs and make sure you have really good documentation about the prescription. May even be a good idea to have your doc write an extra prescription just in case something happens and you need to get it filled while there. I'd check the TSA website too.

I've been on a RS tour before, and the guides were nothing but accommodating where possible. I'm sure if you can get a cooler there will be no problem storing it for you on the bus during the day. Will he only need to take the med once per day, or throughout the day? You will want to know because on the bus tours they often drop you off and not pick you up until the end of the day. The ETBD office should be able to provide you with the hotel list and then you can email or call the and find out if they will let you use their freezer to recharge your cold packs, or, use their fridge for the meds.

Thank you both very much. This is new to us (in fact, he hasn't even started on the prescription yet). It only requires once a day injection, and the time of day isn't critical. I'm encouraged that your brother was able to travel in Europe with insulin. I will contact R Steves to get the hotel info and contact them directly. Thanks!

I too travel with medications that have to be kept cool for a daily injection. Have never had anyone be bothered about them in security. No one will even check your bags when you enter Italy, unlike entering the states.

For refrigeration, I used tupperware containers in my cooler bag. Dumped the ice right before going through security and on the other side, got more ice to put in the tupperwares. Restaurants and bars in the airport are very considerate about this. One is often told that during the flight you will be able to store this kind of medication in the refrigerators on the plane. This proved to be a myth in coach, can't say about Business or 1st class.

During a layover in Newark, one of the lounges was kind enough to store my meds in their refrigerator, even though I was not a lounge member. They even offered me coffee and snacks, which I thought was kind of them.

Do make sure you take care of disposing the needles while traveling. Not sure what the law is in Italy. In Germany, it is ok to put them in the trash with the lids back on them, but I avoid throwing them hotel trash cans, bringing them back home with me to toss. Don't want to freak out the hotel housekeepers!

Since you're going to be on a tour, check with your tour guide and driver because some of the newer coaches have small refrigerators. I'm not saying yours definitely will, but you may want to ask.

Also check out diabetes supply houses for items used for travel. Many forms of insulin also have to be kept refrigerated so you might find ideas there.

Definitely travel with a doctor's note and make sure it states that the medicine must be kept cold. While gel pacs are not allowed through security, you might be able to take one with you for medical purposes.

Since he only has to take one shot each day, you can ask each hotel if they will store your meds in their refrigerator while you're a guest. (Don't forget to get it when you leave.)

Bring a small collapsible cooler with you. On days you travel between locations, you can ask the hotel for ice just before you leave and fill up the cooler.

As Frank said, the tour buses do have refrigeration,, but, I guess you can't count on that as you never know they may have to use a bus that doesn't just by fluke on your tour..

I suggest you go on a few sites aimed at Diabetic Travel,, since many do travel with their insulin and have likely learned all the tricks and tips.. just google and I bet you can find a treasure trove of ideas for keeping the meds cold( as well as the great ideas already listed here!)

Thanks for all your suggestions and advice. I'm going to bring a cooler, doctor's note w/ refrigeration statement, and cooler w/ tupperware inside. I'll also check websites for travel solutions for diabetics. Thanks again, I'm feeling much better about everything. This is our first trip to Europe, and it just happened to coincide with starting the injections! I'm also going to call the airline to find out if we can take the needles (or whatever they're called) in our carry-on luggage or must we check a bag for them.

One rule of thumb. Never check your meds, always have them in your carry-on. Bringing needles, etc. is not a problem going through security.

Just so everyone knows, when traveling with injectable medication you must carry a prescription and the medication should be in the origional packaging. I doubt if anyone will ever look twice at the medication, but if they should, that is what you are suppose to have. Dr.'s letters don't mean much as they could be writen by anyone. If the medication is not pre-fulled in the syringe you can pack the empty syringe in your checked baggage, but why risk a problem with lost or late luggage? If the medication is light sensitive tell the security person and ask them to hand check it. Syringes can be purchased in Italy at pharmacies or even some grocery stores. Italians are less phobic about needles than Americans and it is common practice to inject your own flu shots, etc.

Saw a product in Magellan's catalog today that might solve your problem of keeping your son's medication cold. The product description says that it keeps medication cold for more than 2 days & you can refresh it by soaking it in cold water. Here's the link: http://www.magellans.com/store/Health___Hygiene___WellnessKF107?Args=

Have a great trip!

Check with the TSA regarding regulations involving medications that need refrigeration so that your trip through security at the airport will be a "pleasant?" one. Here is a recommendation for a medication cooler:

http://www.medcooler.com/

I am a pharmacist and would probably use this one for myself if I needed one. They have different configurations for different medications. Growth hormone is not specifically listed, but they do have an 800 number to call for a recommendation.

you got some great suggestions here, but I would add that you should allow extra time going through security!

The guides on our RS trips have been great about helping out with things like this. If I were you I would pick up the phone and call the RS tour office on Monday and talk to them. It will help the guide a lot because they will give him/her the information about your situation and maybe do some pre-planning on their end.
Have a Great Trip!

I would also suggest bringing extra meds. You just never know what might happen as far as delayed or missed flights.

Again, thanks for your very helpful suggestions. I'm going to buy the medication cooler on-line and try it out ahead of time to make sure it works as planned. All of your help is much appreciated!