Travel with Biologics: What You Need to Know Before You Go

When you travel with biologics, injectable medications made from living organisms, often used to treat autoimmune diseases, cancer, or diabetes. Also known as biologic drugs, they’re fragile, expensive, and critical to your health—so a simple mistake can ruin your trip or put you at risk. Unlike pills, biologics like insulin, Humira, Enbrel, or EpiPens can break down if they get too hot, too cold, or exposed to light. Many people assume their meds will be fine in a suitcase, but that’s where things go wrong. The FDA and drug manufacturers warn that even a few hours in a hot car can make these drugs useless—and sometimes dangerous.

That’s why medication storage, the practice of keeping drugs at safe temperatures and conditions during travel. Also known as drug stability management, it’s not optional—it’s survival. If you’re carrying insulin, you need to know how to keep it cool without freezing it. If you use an EpiPen, you can’t leave it in your checked luggage. And if you’re flying internationally, customs might ask for a doctor’s note. These aren’t just tips—they’re rules backed by real cases of people who lost their meds, ended up in the ER, or missed weeks of treatment because they didn’t plan ahead.

People who travel with biologic medications, complex drugs that require special handling, often administered by injection or infusion. Also known as injectable biologics, they’re not like your daily vitamin or blood pressure pill. They’re sensitive, time-sensitive, and sometimes require refrigeration. A 2023 study by the American Diabetes Association found that over 40% of travelers with insulin reported temperature-related issues—some lost half their supply on a beach vacation. You don’t need to cancel your trip. You just need to know how to pack right: a small cooler with ice packs, a travel-sized thermometer, a doctor’s letter, and backup doses in your carry-on. It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared.

And it’s not just about heat. Air pressure changes on planes can cause prefilled syringes to leak. Security scanners won’t hurt your meds, but TSA agents might not know how to handle them. That’s why you need to know your rights: you can carry syringes and biologics through security with a prescription or doctor’s note. You don’t need to check them. You don’t need to explain them unless you want to. And if you’re crossing borders, having your meds in original bottles with your name on them saves hours of hassle.

Below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve been there—how to store insulin on a desert road trip, what to do if your EpiPen gets too hot, how to get refills abroad, and why carrying a 14-day supply isn’t enough when you’re flying across time zones. These aren’t generic tips. They’re the exact strategies used by travelers who manage chronic conditions and still see the world—without risking their health.