Can I Take Self-Injectable Meds or Syringes on an Airplane?

Summer is upon us and with that brings summer travel and vacations.  If you take injectable medications to treat your arthritis, can you bring those with you when you fly to your destination?

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), “All medications in any form or type (for instance, pills, injectables, or homeopathic) and associated supplies (syringes, Sharps disposal container, pre-loaded syringes, jet injectors, pens, infusers, etc.) are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened.”

TSA also indicates that medications do not need to be labeled.  However, in order to prevent any hold ups, I would recommend labeling your medications or keep them in their original containers that contain prescription labels.

Medications and supplies are usually screened via x-ray.  However, TSA allows you to request visual screening instead.  If you prefer the visual screening option, TSA offers these guidelines:

• You must request a visual inspection before the screening process begins; otherwise your medications and supplies will undergo X-ray inspection.
• If you would like to take advantage of this option, please have your medication and associated supplies separated from your other property in a separate pouch/bag when you approach the Security Officer at the walk-through metal detector.
• Request the visual inspection and hand your medication pouch/bag to the Security Officer.
• In order to prevent contamination or damage to medication and associated supplies and/or fragile medical materials, you will be asked at the security checkpoint to display, handle, and repack your own medication and associated supplies during the visual inspection process.
• Any medication and/or associated supplies that cannot be cleared visually must be submitted for X-ray screening. If you refuse, you will not be permitted to carry your medications and related supplies into the  sterile area.

Now that you know the rules for flying with your meds, go have a great vacation!  But don’t forget to keep your injectables at the proper temperature during travel!

New Drug Approved for Some Types of Arthritis

Great news! The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new drug for three types of arthritis. 

If you have moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis or active ankylosing spondylitis, this drug may be for you.

The drug is called ”Simponi” (golimumab) and is a product from Centocor Ortho Biotech (the same company that produces Remicade).  Simponi is a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) blocker.  The best news is that it is a monthly injectable treatment for adults.  Not weekly or biweekly…MONTHLY!

Other TNF-a blockers currently on the market are Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), and Remicade (infliximab).  Enbrel is a weekly injectable; whereas Humira is injected every other week.  Remicade is an infusion treatment.  Timing of infusions varies depending on type of arthritis.

If you have moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis or active ankylosing spondylitis, check with your rheumatologist to see if this drug may a good treatment option for you.

For more information about the approval announcement, see the FDA press release.

TNF-Blocker Users At Risk For Fungal Infections

originally published on 9/5/08

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release on September 4, 2008 indicating manufacturers of TNF-Blockers need to highlight the risk of fungal infections for patients taking those TNF-blockers. 

According to the FDA, “Patients taking TNF blockers should be aware that they are more susceptible to serious fungal infections.”  Additionally, “health care professionals are not consistently recognizing cases of histoplasmosis and other invasive fungal infections, leading to delays in treatment.”  Some of these cases even resulted in death.

The medications involved are Humira, Enbrel, Remicade, and Cimzia.  They are commonly used to treat some forms of arthritis and Crohn’s disease.  If you are taking one of these biologic drugs, then check out the press release for further details.  It is a must read!