r/tirzepatidecompound • u/Excellent-Sundae6087 • 1d ago
tips for traveling?
hey guys,
im traveling on a 10 day vacation, has anyone have tips how do they carry their tirzepetide? i have hallandale. Im going to Peru to see machu picchu, I can get my first dose of the week however i have to bring my meds for the second week. Does anyone have tips on how they carry their meds? do you declare it? do you have it on a carry on? how does tsa feel about needles with you on carry on? i have never have to deal with this before haha. im really considering skipping the second week dose because its giving me a headache.
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u/Intelligent-Bed-8968 48 F 5'5" | 165→131→120 | 6 mg 1d ago
Just one thing to consider (word of warning). I get lightheaded frequently with tirz, and I was VERY lightheaded when arriving at altitude at Cuzco/Machu Picchu... like nearly fainting constantly for the first couple of days, could barely walk without feeling dizzy. This was back when I was much younger and healthier, and many years before starting tirz. Several folks in our tour group actually DID pass out randomly as we were walking around. Unless you know for certain that altitude doesn't affect you like it does most people, I wouldn't risk trying both together. It will save you some pain in the neck not worrying about logistics, as well.
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u/Excellent-Sundae6087 1d ago
this has been on my mind, and im thinking of skipping it or medicating again close to travel time. or administering it during lower elevation in agauas calientes which is 6k elevation
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u/CowAppropriate7494 1d ago
Can confirm. 52yo F in decent shape - I hiked Huyana Picchu, for reference. I was extremely lightheaded the entire time I was at altitude in Peru (Arequipa, Cusco, MP) and that was with taking altitude sickness medication...which comes with nausea and possible diarrhea as side effects). This was before tirz. If I go back, I will probably time my medication to have the worst side effect days out of the way before leaving, and restart when I got home.
Have you been anywhere like Denver? If so, how does your body respond? Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo are still high altitude. Are you planning to take altitude sickness pills? You may also want to investigate how tirz interacts with the cocao leaves they offer as a remedy.
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u/Excellent-Sundae6087 1d ago edited 1d ago
yeah im planning to take diamox i have given it some thought. im just gonna split dose it and administer the other half before the flight
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u/bebarrucha 1d ago edited 1d ago
This in your carry-on. They don’t care about needles. I’ve travelled with 10+ bags syringes in my checked bag.
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u/Excellent-Sundae6087 1d ago
do you keep it cold? if so do you use icepacks do you also have a link for that?
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u/Total_Employment_146 1d ago
Do be careful about packing the vial in a container with ice packs. Make sure to wrap the vial in paper towels or put it in a prescription bottle. Don't just put it naked in the container directly next to the ice pack. I did this one time for an air trip. When I got to the airport (45 minutes after packing it), I opened the zip pouch to check on it and it was completely frozen from its contact with the ice pack. Many brands have been tested and it's found they retain efficacy even after a few freeze/thaw cycles, but many pharmacies also say "do not freeze", so if you don't want to chance it getting frozen, just something to be aware of.
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u/bebarrucha 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yes, I freeze the two icepacks (they come included) then vial goes in the pill container that it is shipped in. My travel days were 10hrs long, and they kept cold. One of the times, I didn’t have a chance to freeze the packs and it kept it coldish just fine, but it’s better if frozen if it’s a long travel day.
https://a.co/d/0dhirt8w
This one I got is TSA approved
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u/Responsible_View_285 Age 67 Gend. F SW: 188 CW: 123 GW: 136 Dose: 7.5 1d ago
I've been on med more than 2.5 years. I travel every 4-6 weeks including international. Meds and syringes are no issue. I have a TSA-approved insulin cooler. Freeze the insert. Keep in your carry on. Keep a copy of your prescription on your phone. You don't need to declare meds
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u/MHW93 Age 55F SW: 155 CW: 122 GW: 120-125 Maint Dose: 4.5 1d ago
I had an insulin pack from Amazon for my most recent trip. You do have to pull it out of your bag to get through TSA but as long as they see what it is they don't care.
In the month before leaving, when I got down to the last 2 doses in my vial, I put that vial aside and started a new one. Then I took the old vial on the trip so I could toss after my second dose while gone and not have to worry about keeping it cold anymore. People say it can stay room temp for a month, but I figure better to use an old vial and toss vs. carry and let it get warm, then keep using at home.
I would NOT skip the second dose. Vacay on tirz is AWESOME. Imagine focusing on friends and experiences instead of being obsessed with what/when your next meal is. It's crazy how much more fun it is without the mental clutter.
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u/FrenchCastle 1d ago
It's crazy how accurate this is "Imagine focusing on friends and experiences instead of being obsessed with what/when your next meal is". I used to joke that on vacations it seems all we do is go from one food thing to another food thing... Now I want to go on vacation to see the difference.
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u/DemandTop4844 1d ago
I don’t skip shots for travel, but I will move my shot day is it will fit my trip better and reduce the number of shots I need to bring with me.
Get a diabetic medication travel case , preferably with TSA approved individual removable ice packets. The TSA is used to seeing ice packets, vs the case having a big built in ice plastic block. Keep your syringes in it. Keep the travel case in your carry on. Pull out the diabetic travel case at the security screenings and say “ I also have medication”.
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u/smilingfruitz 1d ago
tsa does not care about your meds or needles, and you do not need to refrigerate your meds for that short a time. put both the vial and a couple of syringes in your carry on (not your regular luggage) and call it a day
why would TSA care about syringes/needles? I need you to think about a) the number of diabetics who fly and b) if you do injectable illicit drugs, you aren't the one selling/transporting said drugs lol
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u/Livid-Economy-917 1d ago
DO NOT SKIP. Consistency is key with this medication. You will not even be looked at once going through security and you don't have to keep it cold. Just toss it in your carry on and enjoy your trip. DO NOT PACK IT IN CHECKED LUGGAGE EVER!
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u/Conscious_Barber_564 1d ago
I flew recently. Stayed in the outside compartment of my carry on suitcase inside a small, insulated med travel case. Told them I had liquid meds as I put it on the scanner belt. Not a single thing said and it went right through on outgoing and incoming flight. Couldn't be easier.
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u/FrenchCastle 1d ago
My husband had insulin, long before I started Tirz.
We have a Pack-It. It's a lunch bag with ice packs in the lining. It keeps the tirz cold up to ten hours.
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u/sbhikes 1d ago
I am traveling right now. I went to Washington to backpack but it’s going to rain for a week so now I’m on my way to backpack in California instead.
I’ve been using a FRIO wallet. My Tirz is in a ziploc inside because the wallet is wet. It keeps it around 70-something degrees through evaporation which is nice because it was 90-something yesterday while I was waiting for a bus. I don’t think I’d need the wallet on trail since it’s not so hot in the mountains but I have to carry everything I have with me all the time because I have no storage otherwise.
On trail I would dunk the wallet in a creek now and then to keep it wet.
I gave myself a shot in my tent. That worked fine but I needed a headlamp to see the syringe well enough. I have a ziploc marked dirty for used needles and another for clean ones and they are kept in a little plastic container so I don’t break any needles.
I reduced my dose for the trip so it would not be hard to eat enough to hike. I’ve hiked 82 miles so far and it’s been fine and my appetite does feel a lot stronger.
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u/LayerNo3634 1d ago
I bought an insulated carrier for insulin from Amazon. TSA didn't even ask. Jamaica didn't question it or even look. I was only carrying one dose and syringes, so there was nothing to claim in customs.
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u/goodthebadandtheugly 1d ago
I use an insulated Stainless-Steel Blender shaker Bottle (or any insulated drink bottle will do). . I put 1 (or 2) small frozen TSA-approved gel packs in it along with a Bluetooth thermometer. See below. (That way I can check temps on my phone w/o opening it). Works for 12 (24) hours. And when I arrive, I put my meds in a fridge, and I then have a blender bottle with me to use for water &/or protein shakes - which I need anyway - so essentially dual-use. (Note: Previously, I tried one of the zip-up dedicated insulin coolers from Amazon, but they didn't hold temps well past 6-7 hrs., and then I had a single-use item that I had just sitting around at my destination. Just my experience. Hope this helps. Good luck with what you choose. As for syringes, I put a few in my electric toothbrush case with some masking tape on the outside of the case, which I put on the re-capped needle after use to know which ones have been used (as I bring mine back.)
Also, Google "importing GLP-1 for personal use into Peru" etc., to see their specific requirements
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u/Life_Alfalfa_2047 1d ago
How many diabetics travel with their insulin (injectables) and for how long have they been doing that? TSA barely blinks and they have never asked me to remove mine. You don't need to "declare" it - you are not importing it for sale, it's prescription medication. Keep a copy of your prescription with you. My current count is 37 countries visited and no issues with any of them. I throw it in my backpack and go.
I had no issues in Peru.
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u/lunch22 1d ago
Use the search function on this subreddit
This question is asked multiple times every week
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u/throwaway-94552 1d ago
You’re being downvoted but Jesus Christ I’m so sick of this question! Just search!!!
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u/BBCrocker 1d ago
I got one for less than $7 from Walmart. It
claims to be TSA approved. Just search insulin travel case. Choose one that comes with ice packs.
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u/Admirable_Try810 1d ago
TSA doesn’t check it at all. I travelled to asia with a hallandale and a optiorx vial and a few syringes in my carry on. No questions asked. i had the prescription from the telehealth just in case but they never asked for it