Help please Etanercept (Enbrel) not refridgerated!

sallyp4563
sallyp4563 Member Posts: 5
edited 28. Aug 2012, 05:17 in Chat to our Helpline Team archive
Hi,

Having just arrived in Fuerteventura on holiday from the UK, stored my Etanercept in the specially requested hotel room fridge, found out this afternoon (20 hours later) that the fridge is not working properly. My syringes for the next 2 weeks have therefore got to room temperature and have been for about 20 hours I would estimate. Now being stored in the reception fridge until ours is repaired/replaced, my dilema is that I do not know if the medication is safe to inject. Would really appreciate it if anyone could answer this question with authority.

Sally P.

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm not a member of the helpline team but I do have experience of both of these drugs. Refrigeration is an important factor so I would err on the side of caution and not inject as my reasoning would be better safe than sorry. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • sallyp4563
    sallyp4563 Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for your reply, that was my initial thinking. I will see if anyone else has a view or perhaps ring the UK on Monday.

    Sally P.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's a Bank Holiday here tomorrow (as I am sure you are aware) so I doubt that your rheumatology team will be about: as for NHS Direct well, they are OK-ish if one has a 'gentle' i.e. not too serious an enquiry. :wink: My enbrel came in the form of vials which had to be mixed and if there were flakes . . . . :lol: Luckily for me there never were but even so it didn't deign to work. Take care and I hope you have a good holiday. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • sallyp4563
    sallyp4563 Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Anyone from the Helpline Team?? No response is no help at all!
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    As I said, it is a Bank Holiday here. The Helpline do provide cover for holidays but I don't think anyone there is a medical or drugs expert. It's a shame you weren't more on the ball about the fridge, I would have made that my first priority (closely followed by white wine). When I went away with my humira I took back-up freezer blocks just in case the fridge was faulty, it turned out it wasn't so I was fortunate but I also resolved never to bother with it again. It was too much faff, what with the sharps bin etc. The same applies to my injectable meth - now as far as I'm concerned a holiday means a break from that too! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,663
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sally P

    The information we have on etanercept comes from the Arthritis Research UK site, which mentions that it should be stored in a fridge between 2-8 degrees celsius, but doesnt mention regarding whether its okay to take it if it isnt stored in these conditions (see http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/drugs/etanercept/what-else-should-i-know.aspx). It also says that you would need to speak to your doctor, rheumatology nurse specialist or pharmacist if you need more information (http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/drugs/etanercept/where-can-i-get-more-information.aspx). It may be worth trying to contact one of these tomorrow (Tuesday).

    All the best

    Nick
    Helplines Team
  • sallyp4563
    sallyp4563 Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you Nick.

    We have scoured the Internet trying to find the answer but to no avail, we will call my doctor first thing Tuesday morning, once I know the answer I will post the outcome here so that you could add that information to your site if you see fit. Appreciate your time to respond.

    Sally P.
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just a thought (I am a forum member not a helpline team person). Is your Enbrel delivered to you by Healthcare at Home? If so, I would think that their customer services people would be a good first port of call. I have done that before when I had queries about storage of my Humira and they were very helpful.

    Also, I feel moved to jump in and defend the AC Helpline team because I felt that your reply was, to say the least, "a bit snippy". My understanding is that the Helpline team are not medical advisors and I would think it would be wholly inappropriate for them to provide the information you were asking for. Sorry, but there it is.

    Hope you get it sorted and that you enjoy your hols.

    Tilly
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