Travelling with Insulin

From experience, you’ll know how much insulin you generally use in a given time period.

It is advisable that you take double the amount you would normally use (including double the amount of pens)  in the time frame you will be away for.

Insulin must be carried in hand luggage and where possible, half of it carried by a travel companion.  If you are flying, insulin should never go in the hold, as it may freeze.

It is advisable to find out what insulin is available in your destination country.

If you are travelling through time zones of more than 2 hours difference from home please speak to your diabetes team to get advice on adjusting your long acting insulin time.  It may also be necessary to adjust the dose of insulin depending on the type of holiday.  Again advice should be sought from your diabetes team prior to the holiday.

Insulin will keep for one month at room temperature.  It will need to be kept cool during travel or if going to a hot climate.  A cool bag will keep it cool during travel however it will need to be stored in a fridge at all other times. If travelling to a cold climate ensure that the insulin does not freeze.

Remember to take two blood glucose meters with you and a double supply of strips and lancets.  Blood glucose meters may be affected by extremes of temperature and altitude.

Checklist:

• Holiday Insurance
• European Health Insurance Card (for Europe only)
• Letter re: carrying insulin
• Vaccinations if necessary
• Insulin in a cool bag
• Blood glucose meters, strips and lancets
• Needles
• Sharps box or BD clip mate
• Dextrose tablets/glucogel
• Identification re: diabetes
• Ketone strips/meter
• Extra food and snacks for travel and flight
• Glucagen hypokit (glucagon)