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Overseas travel and medications
Wondering if anyone has had to travel overseas, whilst taking their thyroid medication. I know the rule is to keep them refrigerated. How did you go about it? Do airlines have a policy on people with medication needing to be kept cold? I haven't been able to find anything on it online. Our major airline QANTAS said when I called them, "oh just let the flight attendants know when you get there" I am not happy with that answer! I fly in September to USA so cross a dateline and it's a 14 hour flight so can't risk the tablets getting warm. (Then another 6 hours to my destination, but I can buy cool packs when I get there)
Thanks!
Thanks!
COMMUNITY LEADER
This is a very old thread and redheadaussie has not been active on the forum for a long time.
What type of thyroid med are you taking that requires refrigeration?
What type of thyroid med are you taking that requires refrigeration?
Thankyou, this is very helpful. I am travelling to UK for the first time, and wasn't sure of the best way to keep thyroxine cool when in transit. I will be off to buy a soft lunchbos with freezer block. Cheers!
I have since travelled twice to USA and NZ since posting the original post. I bought a soft lunchbox with a freezer pack in it. Wrapped it in a tea towel and put it in the backpack. When I got to my destination, kept the meds in the fridge. Security only asked me once to open the bag as the foiled lined lunch pack can't be xrayed.I found taking a letter from the doctor helpful when going through security as well, as a pre-warning I had something that wasn't going to show up on the xray.
Camping I took a cooler and at night we put a bag of ice on the top of the cooler with a plate to keep the cooler cool. The only thing I found difficult was most motels in USA don't have fridges!!! So we quickly learned to take the cooler out of the car and connect to the mains.
Easy!
Camping I took a cooler and at night we put a bag of ice on the top of the cooler with a plate to keep the cooler cool. The only thing I found difficult was most motels in USA don't have fridges!!! So we quickly learned to take the cooler out of the car and connect to the mains.
Easy!
After I started keeping my Synthroid in the fridge ( as recommended in Australia...) it became more effective and I was able to reduce the dose ( under medical advice ) Re travel ...just do your best and keep in friddge when you can. I travelled heaps worldwide last year and managed without stressing!
Found this for you Redhead.
Cant comment on pharmaceuticals manufactured OUTSIDE Australia.
I hope the site allows me to post this as I am not sure if they have rules about it.
This came from the THYROID AUSTRALIA information website.
There are two brands of thyroxine available in Australia – Oroxine and Eutroxsig – both manufactured by Sigma Pharmaceuticals. If you have had an Oroxine or Eutroxsig prescription filled since June, you will have discovered that these products now require refrigeration at all times. Up until now, these products could be kept in a cool, dry place below 30oC and protected from light. Oroxine and Eutroxsig are still the same; they are still manufactured in exactly the same way using exactly the same ingredients. The only thing that has changed is the storage requirement.
In June 2003 Sigma was instructed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to reduce the shelf lives of Oroxine and Eutroxsig from 24 months to 12 months (with refrigeration).
Thyroid Australia is concerned that this change is yet another thing that will make it more difficult for patients to consistently take their required dose every day. We view it as a retrograde step in the treatment of hypothyroidism in Australia. It seems likely that the change to refrigeration could have a negative impact on compliance (the consistency and accuracy with which patients follows prescribed treatment regime), as well as being an additional hassle for hypothyroid patients.
This issue highlights the importance of not using Oroxine or Eutroxsig that is past its expiry date.
Cant comment on pharmaceuticals manufactured OUTSIDE Australia.
I hope the site allows me to post this as I am not sure if they have rules about it.
This came from the THYROID AUSTRALIA information website.
There are two brands of thyroxine available in Australia – Oroxine and Eutroxsig – both manufactured by Sigma Pharmaceuticals. If you have had an Oroxine or Eutroxsig prescription filled since June, you will have discovered that these products now require refrigeration at all times. Up until now, these products could be kept in a cool, dry place below 30oC and protected from light. Oroxine and Eutroxsig are still the same; they are still manufactured in exactly the same way using exactly the same ingredients. The only thing that has changed is the storage requirement.
In June 2003 Sigma was instructed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to reduce the shelf lives of Oroxine and Eutroxsig from 24 months to 12 months (with refrigeration).
Thyroid Australia is concerned that this change is yet another thing that will make it more difficult for patients to consistently take their required dose every day. We view it as a retrograde step in the treatment of hypothyroidism in Australia. It seems likely that the change to refrigeration could have a negative impact on compliance (the consistency and accuracy with which patients follows prescribed treatment regime), as well as being an additional hassle for hypothyroid patients.
This issue highlights the importance of not using Oroxine or Eutroxsig that is past its expiry date.
Room temperature means 25ºC, some countries it's impossible to keep this "room temperature" so better keep refrigerated (4ºC). Here in Portugal they say to keep levothyroxine under 25ºC (Merck, Germany).
Thanks all...it is the refrigeration, not the fact I take any tablets, which is the problem. 4 years ago before I had any thyroid problems I was on anti-depressants and had a letter with me from my doctor. I am flying United Airlines so I will call them tomorrow about refrigeration.
Yes Smilerdeb! I knew I was right, hee hee....Australia is the only country that recommends refrigeration...that's coz we are so medically advanced with lots of research.
The medication I take is a tablet not a liquid, Jax190...and Melb is fantastic. I love it here!
So, never fear, I will find a way to keep the little pills chilled and near me. I am looking forward to the trip woohoo!
Yes Smilerdeb! I knew I was right, hee hee....Australia is the only country that recommends refrigeration...that's coz we are so medically advanced with lots of research.
The medication I take is a tablet not a liquid, Jax190...and Melb is fantastic. I love it here!
So, never fear, I will find a way to keep the little pills chilled and near me. I am looking forward to the trip woohoo!
I recently traveled overseas to Heathrow then on to Glasgow, and was never questioned about my meds. I kept enough for a day in my purse(calcium) and kept the synthroid in my purse in its original container. The rest of the bottles of calcium and Vit.D were in my checked luggage.
Trish
Trish
Hi Red
YOU ARE CORRECT! lol
I just got my Thyroxin tabs (brand name EUTROXZIG) AND IT STATES THAT THE MEDS must BE KEPT IN THE FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES.
Mine is dispensed in 40 pill bottles all cryo-vacced together in a box with 200 pills.
The Endo and Pharmacist stipulated they must be kept below 5 degrees celcius or they are NO GOOD.The explanation I got was this is because the Thyroxin is NOT a generic brand and doesnt hold a good shelf life either.
These were prescribed to me as I am having RAI next week for Hyperthyroidism and Graves.
So yes you are correct but I would get a letter from your Doctor stating they must be refridgerated or they may make you keep them in your overnight bag on the plane.
Also with the way airlines are now (especially Qantas) about medications this is the way to go. My Father flew to the UK and his insulin was put in the fridge by Qantas staff whilst on the flight.
Im from good ol Oz too ...remember? lol
Enjoy your trip back to good ol UK !
Take care
YOU ARE CORRECT! lol
I just got my Thyroxin tabs (brand name EUTROXZIG) AND IT STATES THAT THE MEDS must BE KEPT IN THE FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES.
Mine is dispensed in 40 pill bottles all cryo-vacced together in a box with 200 pills.
The Endo and Pharmacist stipulated they must be kept below 5 degrees celcius or they are NO GOOD.The explanation I got was this is because the Thyroxin is NOT a generic brand and doesnt hold a good shelf life either.
These were prescribed to me as I am having RAI next week for Hyperthyroidism and Graves.
So yes you are correct but I would get a letter from your Doctor stating they must be refridgerated or they may make you keep them in your overnight bag on the plane.
Also with the way airlines are now (especially Qantas) about medications this is the way to go. My Father flew to the UK and his insulin was put in the fridge by Qantas staff whilst on the flight.
Im from good ol Oz too ...remember? lol
Enjoy your trip back to good ol UK !
Take care
I'm in the UK and our meds are small white pills in blister packs - usual med is Levothyroxine which has no mention of having to be kept at a particular temperature. We are going to Namibia for 3 weeks tho and my main concern is that our docs won't do a letter with all your meds listed in case you're stopped by customs.
Unless anyone can think of an alternative the only thing I can think of doing is take them in the original boxes and take one of the slips I get when I pick up the meds with me.which has them all listed and the name of the doctors surgery typed on it.
Unless anyone can think of an alternative the only thing I can think of doing is take them in the original boxes and take one of the slips I get when I pick up the meds with me.which has them all listed and the name of the doctors surgery typed on it.
hi yes i loved melbourne we stayed in the city and spent a week staying with relatives who live on the outskirts my mums cousin is a singer out there. also went to sydney where we walked the bridge that was great hope one day to visit again. your really lucky id love to live there.
back to the meds i take pills are yours a liquid
back to the meds i take pills are yours a liquid
This is all I know. In the USA your meds MUST be kept in their original container dispersed by your pharmacist!! With the directions how to take it, and what is in the bottle. You are not supposed to take a 'daily organizer' filled with different meds. / prescriptions. I just found that out from my hubby a year ago when I was going to put some pills in a baggie. He said if we got stopped police could take them since they really didn't "know" what they were. Weird huh.
My synthoid comes in a bottle and it says "store at room temperature", so I keep them on my nightstand. The temperature in my bedroom is between 20 and 26 celsius. I hope that's okay!
Hi No it is in the leaflet with the thyroxine bottles and we also have had TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration...similar to USA's FDA) say that it should be refrigerated too. Australia is the only country to decide that refrigeration is the best way to store under 25 C. (77 F) There are many arguments about whether this correct. It is a hormone, a very sensitive one so it makes sense to me.
I know that we are about to get 'blister packs' which will be much better for dispersing and avoiding condensation problems from in and out of fridge, and contamination from handling. I always tip one out, never put my fingers in the bottle.
To jax190 did you like Melbourne? It's where I live!
I know that we are about to get 'blister packs' which will be much better for dispersing and avoiding condensation problems from in and out of fridge, and contamination from handling. I always tip one out, never put my fingers in the bottle.
To jax190 did you like Melbourne? It's where I live!
Do not need to be refrigerated,,actually the moisture that settles from cool to warm will break down the tabs, room temp is all that is required..
i travelled london to melbourne with my meds and its the first i've heard of them being refrigerated mine are always warm. did your doc tell you that
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