Specific Travel Tips for Each of Your PsO Medications
June 28, 2024
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Keeping your treatments safe in transit is an important part of traveling with chronic conditions. Here’s a comprehensive guide outlining unique travel tips for each type of psoriasis medication.
Traveling with psoriasis — and your medications — can require some extra planning.
If you’re looking for thorough travel tips for your specific medication, you’ve come to the right place. Here you’ll find some helpful information for traveling with a variety of psoriasis treatments.
Topical creams
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), medications in liquid form — creams and ointments — are allowed in carry-on bags in reasonable quantities.
It’s not necessary to place them in a quart-sized zip-close bag but you must tell the TSA officer that you have medically necessary liquids at the start of the screening checkpoint process.
Medically required liquids will be subject to additional screening, which could include being asked to open the containers. Be sure to secure the lids back on yourself when they’re done to avoid any damage or spills in your luggage.
Methotrexate
Oral
Methotrexate oral tablets should be stored at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). They should also be kept dry and protected from the light.
You can carry them in an opaque pill case or keep them in their original packaging — a plastic bottle or blister pack — which provides this protection.
A prescription (as well as a document of necessity) may be helpful, as this medication has some restrictions and supply shortages. It’s also been involved in some controversy related to its other uses.
Injectable
In its injectable form, methotrexate is usually stored at room temperature, typically between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C) for up to 4 weeks.
Some methotrexate injections, such as Pfizer’s, are stored in their original containers in a refrigerator between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC and 8ºC). Be sure to check what the specific manufacturer recommends.
A cooler may be necessary if you’re traveling to a very hot or very cold destination and won’t have climate control (so think long car rides, camping in tents, etc).
Carry methotrexate injections in a hard case meant for traveling with needles or pens to avoid damage or misfirings.
Methotrexate injections should also be protected from light and kept in their original packaging when possible. Be sure to dispose of the pens or needles in appropriate containers.
Similar to oral methotrexate, a prescription and documentation of necessity may be helpful.
Methotrexate is manufactured by several pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Fresenius, Mylan, Sandoz, Accord Healthcare, and Hospira (a subsidiary of Pfizer). You should check with the manufacturer for the most accurate information on traveling with this medication.
Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine capsules and liquid should be stored at room temperature, typically between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
Cyclosporine should be stored in a dry environment and be protected from the light. You can carry it in an opaque pill case or keep it in its original packaging, which usually provides this protection.
Apremilast (Otezla)
Apremilast (Otezla) should be stored at room temperature, typically between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C), and not to exceed 86ºF (30ºC). A cooler may be necessary if you’re traveling to a very hot or very cold destination and won’t have climate control, for example in long car rides or while camping outside.
Aprelimast (Otezla) should be protected from direct light and kept in its original packaging when possible.
Check out the manufacturer’s website or ask your pharmacist for more information.
Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents
Adalimumab (Humira)
Adalimumab (Humira) should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC and 8ºC). If needed, this medication can be stored at room temperature, from 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) for a period of up to 14 days.
A cooler may be necessary if you’re traveling somewhere with extreme temperatures or if you’ll be unable to control the temperature.
Adalimumab (Humira) should be protected from the light and kept in its original packaging when possible. You shouldn’t use the product if you notice discoloration or particulates in the solution, despite taking precautions to maintain stability.
Be sure to dispose of the pens or needles in appropriate containers.
Carry this medication in a hard case meant for traveling with needles or pens to avoid damage and misfirings. If you have a prescription for adalimumab (Humira), the manufacturer, AbbVie, offers a free travel case through their HUMIRA Complete support program.
Etanercept (Enbrel)
Etanercept (Enbrel) should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC and 8ºC). If needed, Etanercept (Enbrel) can be stored at room temperature, from 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), for a period of up to 14 days.
A cooler may be necessary if you’re traveling to a very hot or very cold destination or if you won’t be able to control the climate or temperature for an extended period of time.
Etanercept (Enbrel) should be protected from light and kept in its original packaging when possible. If you notice discoloration, cloudiness, or particulates in the solution, despite taking precautions to maintain stability, you shouldn’t use this product.
To avoid damage or misfirings, carry this drug in a hard case meant for traveling with needles or pens.
Be sure to dispose of the pens and needles in appropriate containers.
Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia)
Certolizuma pegol (Cimzia) should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC and 8ºC). It can be stored at room temperature between 68°F and 77ºF (20°C and 25ºC) for up to 10 days.
A cooler is a good idea if you’re traveling somewhere with extremely high or low temperatures. This can also be helpful if you’ll be without climate control for an extended period of time.
Avoid shaking this medication.
Certolizuma pegol (Cimzia) should also be protected from light and kept in its original packaging when possible.
The manufacturer, UCB, offers this PDF, which includes available patient resources.
Anti-interleukin (IL) 12/IL-23 antibody
Ustekinumab (Stelara)
Ustekinumab (Stelara) should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC and 8ºC) in its original container. It can also be stored at room temperature, from 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), for up to 30 days.
A cooler may be necessary if you’re traveling to a very hot or very cold destination. Also consider a cooler if you’ll be without temperature or climate control for an extended period of time, such as when camping or in long car rides.
Avoid shaking this medication.
Ustekinumab (Stelara) should also be protected from light and kept in its original packaging when possible.
Janssen Medical recommends contacting them directly if your ustekinumab (Stelara) has been stored out of the recommended temperature range.
Anti-IL-17 antibodies
Secukinumab (Cosentyx)
Secukinumab (Cosentyx) should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC and 8ºC). This medication may be stored at room temperature, up to 86ºF (30ºC), for up to 4 days. It may be returned to the refrigerator one time within this window.
A cooler may be necessary if you’re traveling to a destination with extremely high or low temperatures or you’ll be without climate control, like when camping outside.
Secukinumab (Cosentyx) should be protected from light and kept in its original packaging when possible.
The manufacturer of secukinumab (Cosentyx) offers a free travel case along with other resources through the Cosentyx Connect Program.
Ixekizumab (Talz)
Ixekizumab (Talz) should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC and 8ºC). This medication may be stored at room temperature, up to 86ºF (30ºC), for up to 5 days.
Similar to most psoriasis medications, a cooler may be necessary when traveling to a destination with extremely high or low temperatures or when you’ll be unable to control the temperature for an extended period of time.
Ixekizumab (Talz) should be protected from light and kept in its original packaging when possible.
Eli Lilly, the manufacturer, offers this travel resource.
Anti-IL-17 receptor antibody
Brodalumab (Siliq)
Brodalumab (Siliq) should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC and 8ºC). This medication may be stored at room temperature, up to 77ºF (25ºC), for up to 14 days.
A cooler may be necessary if you’re traveling somewhere with extreme temperatures or somewhere you’ll be unable to control the temperature for an extended period of time.
Brodalumab (Siliq) should be protected from light and kept in its original packaging when possible.
The manufacturer, Ortho Dermatologics, offers a resource of Frequently Asked Questions.
Anti-IL-23/ IL-39
Guselkumab (Tremfya)
Guselkumab (Tremfya) should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC and 8ºC). This medication may be stored at room temperature for up to 4 hours.
Be sure to travel with a cooler and an ice pack and monitor the temperature closely.
You may be able to ask for refrigeration accommodations on some airlines with appropriate documentation and an active prescription. Be sure you have a refrigerator available at your destination.
Avoid shaking this medication.
Guselkumab (Tremfya) should be protected from light and kept in its original packaging when possible.
Carry guselkumab (Tremfya) in a hard case meant for traveling with needles or pens to avoid damage and misfirings. Be sure to dispose of the pens or needles in appropriate containers.
Discuss travel plans with your care team if you’re on guselkumab (Tremfya), as they may be able to modify your dosing schedule or treatment plan to better accommodate your travel schedule.
Janssen science, the manufacturer of guselkumab (Tremfya), offers a brief resource on storage and stability.
Tildrakizumab (Ilumya)
Tildrakizumab (Ilumya) is administered by a healthcare professional so it’s unlikely you’ll be traveling with this medication.
Risankizumab (Skyrizi)
Risankizumab (Skyrizi) should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF and 46ºF (2ºC and 8ºC). This medication may be stored at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
Avoid shaking this medication.
Risankizumab (Skyrizi) should be protected from light and kept in its original packaging when possible.
Abbvie, the manufacturer of risankizumab (Skyrizi), offers both a cooler and a sharps container for people with an active prescription.
Medical cannabis
Although some states in the United States have legalized the use of cannabis (aka marijuana) for medical use, many airlines, trains, buses, and other transportation providers have their own policies regarding the transport of cannabis, regardless of the starting or end destinations.
Where it is legalized, there are strict regulations on labeling, quantity limits, and packaging. However, according to the TSA, cannabis products that contain no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis may be allowed.
Crossing international borders with cannabis is especially risky and can lead to very serious consequences.
The takeaway
The most common differences between medications are storage temperature and limits on how long they can be left at room temperature.
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the guidelines for each of your medications to be sure you don’t overlook an important factor.
If you’re ever uncertain about any details, you can review the manufacturer’s resources or speak with a healthcare professional.
Medically reviewed on June 28, 2024
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