Quick answer: For effective Orencia storage, keep your medication refrigerated between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Never leave it out of the fridge for more than 7 hours, even at room temperature. Use Orencia travel coolers when you're on the go!
Abatacept, sold under the brand name Orencia, is a biologic medication used to treat autoimmune conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA), and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). It's available in the form of a prefilled syringe or a ClickJect autoinjector, allowing for easy self-administration at home.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Orencia storage, temperature limits, and the best travel-friendly cooling kits to keep your medication safe and effective.
Related article: 10 Great Anti-Inflammatory Snacks for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Is Orencia a biologic? Why Orencia storage matters
Yes, Orencia (abatacept) is a biologic. Biologic medications are derived from living cells and are highly sensitive to temperature and light.
That means improper storage, even for a short time, can cause the drug to lose its effectiveness or become unsafe to use.
Does Orencia need to be refrigerated?
Absolutely.
According to the manufacturer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Orencia must be stored in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) until you are ready to use it.
Be sure to:
📦 Keep Orencia in its original packaging
🚫💡 Store away from light
Orencia storage temperature guidelines at home
Important Orencia temperature rules:
- When refrigerating Orencia, keep your fridge temperature between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)
- Do not freeze!
- Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before injection to let it reach room temperature (for comfort)
Can Orencia be left out of the refrigerator?
If Orencia is accidentally left out, the key is temperature and time.
According to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Orencia is stable for up to 8 hours at temperatures below 77°F (25°C) and protected from direct light.
When is Orencia no longer safe to use?
Don't use Orencia if:
- Left out for more than 8 hours
- Exposed to temperatures above 77°F (25°C), even briefly
- The packaging looks damaged or discolored
When in doubt, the safest thing to do is to dispose of it and use a new dose from the fridge.
Can I travel if I'm taking Orencia?
Absolutely! But it does take a bit of planning.
Because Orencia storage requires refrigeration, you'll need a reliable way to keep your medication cold during transit.
Fortunately, medical travel coolers designed specifically for temperature-sensitive medications make this much easier.
Related article: Flying With Arthritis: How to Prepare for Long-Haul Flights?
Orencia travel cooler options: How to travel safely with your medication
Traveling with a chronic condition like RA is already a challenge. You shouldn't have to stress about your medication spoiling en route. That's why 4AllFamily created medical-grade portable coolers to keep your Orencia safe, whether you're flying, road-tripping, or venturing into the wild.
These coolers are TSA-approved and specifically designed for people whose lives depend on refrigerated medications like Orencia. From sleek, pocket-sized thermos-style bottles to powerful mini fridges, there's a cooler to match every type of trip.
Here are some of our recommendations for traveling with Orencia:
- The Voyager: Your ultimate solution for portable medication refrigeration
- The Nomad: This portable cooling case is compact, lightweight, and built to perform
- The RXCoolers Max: A powerful, ultra-silent mini fridge, ideal for when you need reliable refrigeration
Check out our many travel cooler models compatible with Orencia injections:
Related article: Arthritis Travel Insurance, How to Make Sure You're Covered?
What to pack in your Orencia travel kit
When preparing to travel with Orencia, make sure your cold storage solution is reliable. Your Orencia travel kit should include:
✅ A digital thermometer to monitor the internal cooler temperature
✅ Backup doses (if possible)
Bonus travel tips for Orencia users
✈️ Always pack Orencia in your carry-on, never in checked baggage
✈️ Research nearby pharmacies or clinics at your destination in case of emergency
✈️ Plan your injection schedule around travel days if possible
Related article: 8 Great Tips for Traveling with Arthritis!
Final recommendations for safe Orencia storage at home and on the go
Proper Orencia storage is critical for maintaining the medication's safety and effectiveness.
Whether you're at home or planning a trip, stick to the required Orencia storage temperature (36°F to 46°F), avoid light, and never let it sit out for more than 8 hours.
With tools like 4AllFamily's Orencia travel coolers and cold cases, you can travel with confidence knowing your medication is protected, so you can focus on living your life, not worrying about your next injection.
Key Take Aways:
Remember these important tips:
📦 Keep it Cool & Covered: Store Orencia between 36°F and 46°F, in its original packaging, and away from light. Don't leave it at room temperature for longer than 7 hours!
❌ Never Freeze It: Freezing ruins Orencia; always avoid extreme cold.
🧳 Travel Smart: Use TSA-approved medical coolers like the Voyager, Nomad, or RXCoolers Max to keep doses safe on the go.
🛂 Carry-On Is a Must: Always travel with Orencia in your carry-on, along with extra freeze packs and a thermometer.
We'd Love to Hear From You!
💬 Have you traveled with Orencia before? Got tips for keeping meds cool while on the move? We'd love to hear from you! Ask your questions or share your story in the comments. We're here to learn from each other and support one another!
📆 Article Update History:
✅ Updated: April 23, 2025
Originally Published: May 26, 2022
Comments
4AllFamily Customer Care Team said:
Hi Joan,
Thank you for your question.
As long as your ORENCIA clickjets have been stored in the refrigerator and the expiration date on the packaging hasn’t passed, they should still be good to use. If you’re unsure, it might be helpful to double-check with your pharmacist to ensure everything is in order.
Best regards,
4AllFamily
Joan sangster said:
I have 3 boxes of 4 clickjets each of ORENCIA kept in refrigerator. That means I am 3-4 months ahead. I use 1 clickjet every week. Are they still good to use?
4AllFamily Customer Care Team said:
Dear Richard,
Orencia is very sensitive to temperature and must be kept refrigerated when traveling. I would recommend using one of our coolers, such as the Voyager, the Explore, the Big Nomad, or the Rambler. Each to these can hold 2 syringes of Abatacept at fridge temperature for more than 10 hours, so you’d need 2 units for 3 syringes.
Safe travels, and don’t hesitate if you have more questions!
Warm regards,
4AllFamily Customer Care Team
richard millaire said:
we have to bring 3 abatacept seringes on a 4 hours flight (actual time out of fridge 8 t0 10 hours what is your recommadation Thank you
4AllFamily Customer Care Team said:
Dear June,
Orencia is very unstable once unrefrigerated and can only be left for 8 hours out of the fridge. However, if the door was only slightly open, chances are the temperature inside your fridge stayed within the recommended range so it should be safe to use.
If you have doubt, it’s best to ask for your pharmacist advice.
Warm regards,
4AllFamily Customer Care Team
June said:
Husband left fridge door slightly open all night around 10hrs. Unsure if Orencia will be safe to use
4AllFamily Customer Care Team said:
Hi Fred,
Our biggest cooler can fit 2 Orencia pens: https://4allfamily.com/collections/4allfamily-insulin-cooler/products/portable-medical-fridge-usb-insulin-medicines
Please let us know if you need further information or reach out at: contact@ 4allfamily.com
Best regards,
4AllFamily Customer Care Team
Fred Hom said:
Thank you for your response in November. What size should I purchase to accommodate 2 pens? The picture from Amazon showed that it can only fit one syringe.
Thank you.
4AllFamily Customer Care Team said:
Hi Fred,
Our refrigerated cooler can fit 2 Orencia pens.
All the best,
4AllFamily Customer Care Team
4AllFamily Customer Care Team said:
Hi Romaine,
Orencia uses the Clickject pen model which is unfortunately much bigger than any other ones.
Our biggest size cooler can only fit 2 Orencia pens, so you would need 4 units to keep 7 pens refrigerated while traveling to Asia.
If you can’t find any other solution, please contact our team at contact@4allfamily.com or by phone at +15089210865. Considering your situation, we’ll make sure to give you a special discount.
All the best,
4AllFamily Customer Care Team
Romaine Ramenaden said:
Hello, I need to travel from the US to Asia with 7 orencia pens. I am trying to find the best size cooler for my travel needs. Would you be able to recommend a type of cooler I would need to purchase? Thank you.
Fred Hom said:
How many Orencia pens can fit into your refrigerated container?
Thank you.