Top 10 Medications That Must Be Kept Cool — and How to Store Them Safely

If you take a temperature-sensitive medication, you probably already know how important proper storage is. But did you know that even a short exposure to heat can degrade your medication — making it less effective, or even dangerous?

Whether you’re traveling, commuting, or just living an active life, it’s critical to keep your medications within the required temperature range. In this post, we’ll cover 10 common medications that must be kept cool, and how to store them safely with reliable solutions like MedActiv cooler bags.

Why Do Some Medications Need to Stay Cool?

Many modern medications, especially biologics, insulin, and injectables, are sensitive to heat. If exposed to temperatures outside the recommended range (usually 36°F to 46°F / 2°C to 8°C), they may:

• Lose their effectiveness
• Become unsafe
• Void your insurance coverage
• Lead to treatment failure

That’s why cold chain storage — the process of keeping medications at the right temperature during transport and use — is so important.

🔟 Common Medications That Need Refrigeration

Here are 10 of the most widely used medications that require cold storage:

1. Insulin (Various Brands)

• Used for: Diabetes management
• Temperature range: 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)
• Storage tip: Can usually be kept at room temperature for 28 days once opened
• Best MedActiv bag: EasyBag Single

2. Ozempic (semaglutide)

• Used for: Type 2 diabetes and weight loss
• Storage: Keep refrigerated until first use. After opening, good at room temp for 56 days

3. Humira (adalimumab)

• Used for: Arthritis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, and more
• Must be kept refrigerated
• Avoid freezing

4. Enbrel (etanercept)

• Used for: Autoimmune conditions
• Keep refrigerated and protect from light
• Should not be shaken

5. Copaxone (glatiramer acetate)

• Used for: Multiple sclerosis
• Needs refrigeration, but can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 month

6. Fertility Medications (e.g. Gonal-f, Follistim, Menopur)

• Many require refrigeration, especially pens and injectables
• Travel tip: Use a MedActiv cooler with PCM packs
• Recommended cooler: iCool Prestige

7. Repatha (evolocumab)

• Used for: Lowering cholesterol
• Store in the fridge until use
• Can be stored at room temp for up to 30 days

8. Orencia (abatacept)

• Used for: Rheumatoid arthritis
• Keep in the fridge and don’t shake
• Exposure to high temps may reduce effectiveness

9. Trulicity (dulaglutide)

• Used for: Type 2 diabetes
• Refrigerate until use
• Stable at room temp (up to 86°F / 30°C) for 14 days

10. Vaccines (various types)

• Includes flu, COVID-19, shingles, and more
• Nearly all vaccines require refrigeration
• For larger supply transport: iCool Medicube

How to Keep Your Medications Cool — Wherever You Go

• ✅ Use a professional-grade medication cooler bag with temperature-stable PCM gel packs
• ✅ Avoid using lunch coolers or loose ice
• ✅ Keep medications in original labeled packaging (especially when flying)
• ✅ Use a digital thermometer for monitoring — like in the iCool Prestige
• ✅ Bring extra medication and a doctor’s note for travel

Why Choose MedActiv Cooler Bags?

MedActiv cooler bags are trusted by thousands of people with chronic conditions and used in clinical trials and pharmaceutical shipping worldwide. Our bags are:

• ✅ TSA-compliant and travel-friendly
• ✅ Maintain cold temps for up to 24+ hours (depending on the model)
• ✅ Reusable and eco-conscious
• ✅ Lab-tested and used by professionals

Whether you need a small daily cooler or a week-long travel companion, MedActiv has a solution.

👉 Shop MedActiv Cooler Bags Now

Final Thoughts

If your health depends on refrigerated medication, don’t risk it. Using a reliable, portable cooler bag is one of the easiest and most important steps you can take to protect your treatment — and your peace of mind.

Have questions? Contact us — we’re happy to help you choose the right solution.

 

 

If you rely on prescription drugs to manage health challenges, and many of us do you have no doubt face the challenge of traveling with medications…..it is important to be aware of the need to control the environments we expose our meds too. Many medications need to be stored at cold temperatures and many more need to be maintained at room temperature. In this article we discuss ways to manage that and the challenges you might face as you move through your days.

First of all……Why does this matter and what are the risks?

Many medications are formulated to be effective when maintained within specific temperature ranges. If the optimum temperature range is not provided the effectiveness of the drug may be compromised….rendering them less potent, or sometimes completely ineffective. Some drugs need to be kept at room temperature and some at cold temperatures, failing to pay attention to this will generally impact the efficacy of your medication. Even extreme fluctuations can have an impact. For instance a summer camping trip may see cool evenings in the tent, but become sweltering hot by mid-afternoon. When traveling with prescription drugs internationally, be aware that the baggage compartment of any airplane can also see large fluctuations in temperature and the fridge on a plane is not set to maintain the exact range your meds may need.

 

 

Talk to the experts:  Before traveling with medications, consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist regarding the specific storage needs of your medication. They can provide you with guidance tailored to your medication and individual circumstances.

Some medications that require cold storage are:

• Ozempic
• Growth Hormone
• Insulin
• Antibiotic Liquids
• Remicade
• Humira
• Orencia
• EpiPen

 

Best Practices for Traveling with Medications

Generally speaking, most medications that do not need cold storage should be stored at an even temperature. Not near the stove, or on top of the refrigerator. Consider that your asthma inhaler or heart medication have a big job to do, don’t risk efficiency with thoughtless storage practices. Humid environments are also not an ideal place. Too hot is bad, too cold is worse. Insulin is a protein. If it is frozen it can become unstable. Thawing it will not restore it. The best practice you can follow is to decide to control the environment your medications exist in. Whether it’s at home, in the lunch box, on a plane, at the beach or adventuring through the backcountry.

So….What are your options when you are flying with medication

Fridge temperatures in hotels and on airplanes are not monitored for consistency. These fridges are for storing perishable items, they are not designed to maintain a steady temperature. Often they are too warm or approaching freezing leading to risk for your meds.

The solution that gives you control, keeps your meds close by during air travel are bags designed to maintain the temperature range of your prescribed medication. MedActiv offers a collection of medication cooler bags to suit your activity. Lightweight bags are perfect for adventures in the backcountry, or use as carry ons when you are traveling with medications.

Look after your meds by paying attention to detail and they can do their job in looking after you or your loved one.

 

Flying, Camping, Backpacking or Beach Days….there is a cooler bag that will serve you

 

Room Temperature Management

• Easy Bag Single – light weight and perfect for backpacking. Protect your medications from overheating on your weekend adventure. The patented technology of the EasyBag keeps your medication cool between 68°F – 77°F (16°C – 25 °C) for up to 5 days
• Easy Bag Classic – EasyBag Classic for 6 prescription drug pens. The patented technology of the EasyBag keeps your medication cool between 68°F – 77°F (16°C – 25 °C) for up to 5 days

 

Cool Temperature Management

• iCool Weekender – perfect for transporting and protecting medication for 12 Hours For vials or pens (insulin, growth hormones, L-Thyroxin, polyarthritis medication). Keeps your medication between 36°F – 46°F (2°C – 8°C) for 12 hours
• iCool Prestige – For any heat-sensitive medications (insulin, growth hormones, L-Thyroxin, polyarthritis medication) Keeps your medication cool between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C) for 24 hours. Organizes and store up to 3 weeks of supplies. Keeps your medication cool between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C) for 24 hours
• iCool MediCube – this is the solution for Transporting and Protecting Your Medication for 36 Hours. Hold everything-all in one place. For any temperature-sensitive medications (insulin, growth hormones, L-Thyroxin, polyarthritis medication). Keeps your medication between 36°F to 46°F (2°C and 8°C) for 36 hours

Visit our shop see our collection and choose the bag that works best for you.