Travel Tips for People with Diabetes

Traveling with Diabetes Medication

Keep medicines in your carry-on. Lost bags or delayed bags may mean you miss pills. Keep all prescriptions in your carry-on or personal bag.

Avoid temperature swings. "One person told me he gave his insulin to a flight attendant to keep it cool and she accidentally put it in the freezer," says Davida Kruger, APRN. Protect injectables (insulin, Byetta, Symlin) from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight, which can degrade them. "Your car will become an oven in summer or a freezer in winter," says William Quick, M.D., PWD type 1, an endocrinologist who loves to travel. If you are going to be away from the car for a few hours, take insulin and other injectables with you, he says.

Treat injectables to a cool bath. When temperatures are hot, Mark Abbott, PWD type 2, of the DiabetesMonitor (diabetesmonitor.com) recommends carrying a quart-size zipper storage bag as an emergency cooling station. Drop in the pen or vial, seal the bag, and dip the bag in cool water when you reach your destination.
* Insulin: Keep pens and vials at room temperature below 86 degrees F (discard after 28-30 days) or refrigerate vials (discard after 90 days). Do not expose to direct sunlight.
* Symlin (pramlintide): Refrigerate or keep at room temperature below 86 degrees F. Do not expose to direct sunlight (discard after 30 days).
* Byetta (exenatide): Keep at room temperature below 77 degrees F. Do not expose to direct sunlight or liquids (discard after 30 days).
* Glucagon (emergency kit to treat severe low blood glucose): Keep at room temperature below 90 degrees F and away from direct sunlight.

Use insulating cases. Davida Kruger, APRN, recommends the Frio Cooling Wallet, which cools with just water (no ice or freezing required).

Get a larger supply. Long road trip? Stock up on meds and supplies beyond a 30-day limit. You or your pharmacist can ask your insurance company for a "vacation override."

Successfully manage type 2 diabetes.