Traveling with insulin requires careful planning to ensure your injections remain safe, effective, and accessible at all times.
This guide will help you navigate everything about traveling with Lantus insulin pens, from temperature control during transport to TSA regulations at the airport and choosing the right carrying cases, ensuring your Lantus is handled properly wherever you go!
Related article: How to Travel with Insulin That Needs Refrigeration or Cooling!
How to Travel with Lantus Insulin?
When traveling with insulin such as Lantus, there are really two things that are sources of concern: maintaining the right storage temperatures and adhering the travel regulations.
How to Pack Lantus for Travel
Before traveling with insulin, make sure to pack enough supplies for the entire length of your trip, plus a little extra. It's also a good practice to pack your medical supplies in two different bags in case of loss, delays, theft, or damage.
If traveling by air, always pack Lantus and all medical supplies in your carry-on, not in checked luggage. There should be no problem going through airport security screenings with your insulin, but should you wish to learn more, we've written a detailed guide about TSA regulations for travelers with insulin and diabetes supplies.
Depending on your destination, you may need to bring along a few documents, such as a prescription, a doctor's letter, proof of travel insurance, or others.
Related article: Tips for Traveling with Medication Internationally: Preparation & Documents.
Here's a list of items to pack along for your diabetes management while traveling:
- Lantus Solostar pens.
- Bolus insulin, if you use it.
- Disposable needles and a sharps container for disposing of your used needles
- Blood glucose monitor and accessories, including test strips, lancets, and extra batteries or charging devices.
- Ketone test strips to check ketones if you're ill or your blood sugar level is high when traveling.
- Fast-acting sugar snacks for treating hypoglycemia while on the move.
- Emergency contact information and medical ID that explains your diabetes for unforeseen situations while away from home.
This list is not exhaustive and may vary depending on your specific treatment plan. When in doubt, ask for your doctor's advice before departure.
Keeping Lantus Cool When Traveling
Remember that Lantus must be stored refrigerated, ideally between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) before its first use. After starting a new pen, it can be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days, but it should never be exposed to temperatures above 86°F (30°C). Even brief exposure to higher temperatures can quickly degrade your insulin. So, when traveling with Lantus, making sure your Solostar pens are always kept cool is absolutely crucial!
Related article: How You Should Store Your Lantus Pens & Vials at Home.
Here are some tips to keep your Lantus insulin pens cool when traveling or on the move:
- Use travel cooling cases specifically designed for insulin, like the ones from 4AllFamily (more details below).
- Keep your Lantus pens out of direct sunlight by storing them in a shaded, cool bag or under a cloth in your personal bag.
- Never leave your insulin pens in the car. Car temperatures can rise quickly; always carry Lantus with you.
- On day trips, take only the insulin you need for the day, leaving the rest in a cool place at home or in your hotel room.
- Protect Lantus from freezing too! In cold climates, carry your Lantus Solostar pens in an interior pocket to use your body heat as protection from extreme cold, as freezing temperatures can damage your insulin.
- Always have a back-up plan for what to do if your insulin is compromised, and check with your travel insurer for coverage of medication loss.
Lantus Insulin Pen Carrying Cases
As mentioned above, Lantus is temperature-sensitive and must be kept cool when traveling. Proper storage temperature during transport is crucial to maintain its effectiveness. Here are two important scenarios to consider:
- You're traveling with unopened Lantus that must be refrigerated between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C) to preserve their potency until they're ready to be used.
In that case, you must carry your Lantus Solostar pens in refrigerated travel cases, such as the Explorer Insulin Cooler, the Voyager Travel Refrigerator for Insulin, or the Nomad Insulin Cooling Cases.
- You're traveling with opened, in-use Lantus Solostar pens that can be kept at room temperature but must be kept cool and protected from temperatures above 86°F (30°C), for up to 28 days.
In that case, if you're traveling to warmer climate destinations where the ambient temperature may get above that safe threshold, you must carry your Lantus pens in travel cooling cases, such as the Rambler Small Insulin Pen Travel Case, the Companion Insulated Cooler Bag, or the new Chillers Carrying Cases for Insulin.
We'd Love to Hear From You!
Feel free to comment below with your tips, questions, or travel stories with insulin. Also, if you have any inquiries about our travel cases for Lantus Solostar pens, don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help!
