Re: Insulin----Refrigerated or not ?

[Guest guest]

> me asking so many questions but I

> have nobody else to ask....Question--Are you supossed to keep insulin

> (a vial) in the refrigerator or not ? I have heard that you are

> supossed to keep it cold but the last time I was in the hospital, the

> nurse said that you didn't have to. So I am very confused....Please

> help me out with this as I am about to take a trip and need to know

> this information before I go.

>

I have been told by the pharmacy to refrigerate it, and by the hospital that

insulin is comfortable anywhere that a human is, as in its ok as long as its

not TOO hot or TOO cold. I keep mine in the refrigerator, and keep my insulin

pens in my purse and refrigerate them at night. Being very careful not to let

them get hot.

[Guest guest]

Humolog should be stored in refrig. but you can carry the pen in a pocket until

used up.....My lantus MUST be kept refrigerated.

[alldiabeticinternational] Insulin----Refrigerated or not ?

Hello Group,

First of all I want to thank all of you nice people that responded to

my post about the meter. I got the freestyle meter and I am liking it

very much. I hope you don't mind me asking so many questions but I

have nobody else to ask....Question--Are you supossed to keep insulin

(a vial) in the refrigerator or not ? I have heard that you are

supossed to keep it cold but the last time I was in the hospital, the

nurse said that you didn't have to. So I am very confused....Please

help me out with this as I am about to take a trip and need to know

this information before I go.

Thanks in Advance

Beth

pancreatitis info

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ThePancreatitisPlace/

diabetic recipes

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetic_recipes/

[Guest guest]

do you have any of the package inserts for your insulins? i think

the guidelines might vary for insulins. for lantus and novolog, an

open vial can be kept unrefrigerated - but for no more than 28 days,

and it must be kept out of direct heat and light. unopened vials

should be in the fridge (not freezer - don't freeze!), between 36 F

and 46 F.

but it's OK to have them out for a time, like when you are

transporting them from pharmacy to home. just don't do what i did

once, put the bag on the car floor and then turn up the heater!

i use frio bags to tote my open lantus around, just because, but not

my current novolog cartridge.

rach

> Hello Group,

> First of all I want to thank all of you nice people that responded

to

> my post about the meter. I got the freestyle meter and I am liking

it

> very much. I hope you don't mind me asking so many questions but I

> have nobody else to ask....Question--Are you supossed to keep

insulin

> (a vial) in the refrigerator or not ? I have heard that you are

> supossed to keep it cold but the last time I was in the hospital,

the

> nurse said that you didn't have to. So I am very

confused....Please

> help me out with this as I am about to take a trip and need to

know

> this information before I go.

> Thanks in Advance

> Beth

[Guest guest]

My Lantus has to be refrigerated.

[Guest guest]

i've become convinced lantus really needs to be kept cool, although

of course one can do this with something like a frio or thermal bag.

i have a friend who totes her humalog vials around, though. somehow

that doesn't seem quite right to me, but i guess it's ok.

rach

> Humolog should be stored in refrig. but you can carry the pen in a

pocket until used up.....My lantus MUST be kept refrigerated.

[Guest guest]

hi beth

i keep mine in the fridge until it is opened,then at room temp.for only 28

days.then discard it.

robyn

Children from broken homes,should not have to live broken lives.GOD never

looses track of his children.Children spell love: T-I-M-E.

Yours, give it freely.

[Guest guest]

GREETINGS--

I use two types of insulin -- Lantus and Humalog. In the case of

Lantus I found that (for me anyway) if I do not keep the Lantus vial

refrigerated between shots it loses its potency more quickly;

especially in the summer months (in New England). As it is even when

it is refrigerated Lantus starts to lose its potency after 28 days.

In the case of Humalog I find it is sensitive to heat in the

summertime so I keep it refrigerated most of the time. I use

disposable Humalog pens and used to walk around with it in my shirt

pocket where it was subjected to my body heat. It is less

susceptible to loss of potency (than Lantus) in my experience. I do

know of pumpers who have switched from Humalog to Novolog because of

the temperature sensitivity issue.

wambo1941

> Hello Group,

> First of all I want to thank all of you nice people that responded

to

> my post about the meter. I got the freestyle meter and I am liking

it

> very much. I hope you don't mind me asking so many questions but I

> have nobody else to ask....Question--Are you supossed to keep

insulin

> (a vial) in the refrigerator or not ? I have heard that you are

> supossed to keep it cold but the last time I was in the hospital,

the

> nurse said that you didn't have to. So I am very confused....Please

> help me out with this as I am about to take a trip and need to know

> this information before I go.

> Thanks in Advance

> Beth

[Guest guest]

Beth wrote:

>Question--Are you supossed to keep insulin (a vial) in the refrigerator or

>not ? I have heard that you are supossed to keep it cold but the last time

>I was in the hospital, the nurse said that you didn't have to. So I am

>very confused....Please help me out with this as I am about to take a trip

>and need to know this information before I go.

Hi Beth -

Insulin (including Lantus) lasts just fine for at least 30 days without

refrigeration which is what your hospital nurse was likely referring to.

Once I start a bottle, I do not refrigerate it for the 30 days it takes me

to use that bottle. Cold insulin hurts. (I do throw out any Lantus left in

the bottle after about 30-35 days as I understand that Lantus is a bit more

sensitive than others.) I do keep extra bottles (back stock) refrigerated

until I open them for use.

Try to keep the insulin within the temperature ranges noted on the box (or

on the enclosed flyer) . . . i.e., make sure it isn't in danger of freezing

or subject to long periods of highly overheated enclosed spaces, etc. To

that end, while traveling, always keep your insulin with you (purse and/or

carry-on), not in checked baggage. If you are carrying an extra supply of

insulin (more than you will use in 30 days . . . or an emergency extra,

which I would recommend), keep the extra vials as cool as possible. I

recently spent 7 weeks out of the country and kept my extras cool with ice

packs in a thermal zippered packet . . . refreezing the ice packs and

refrigerating the extra insulin vials in motel refrigerators as possible

throughout the trip. Lots of creative ways to do that.

Airlines dare not separate you from your insulin/supplies but it is your

responsibility to plan properly. I would also recommend that you carry a

letter from your doctor (stating that you are diabetic, need insulin and

supplies to treat your condition, etc. etc.) to alleviate potential airport

problems. You probably won't be asked for one but it's a great security

blanket. Also be sure to have hypo antidotes (glucose tabs or whatever you

use) and a few carby snacks (I use crackers) on you at all times so that

unexpected schedule changes or a delayed meal won't create an emergency.

Plan ahead and have a great trip!

Sandy

T1 -1979

[Guest guest]

i'd be interested in hearing the replies too.

my nurse educator, who is also diabetic, said the potency (is that

the best word?) of lantus really rather deteriorates. she gave some

figures which i don't remember, but i do remember they surprised me.

the drop was pretty sharp.

have never tried to use one vial of lantus longer than 28 days. i've

had a couple of vials which i left unrefrigerated for a day, and

they seemed to really lose potency before day 28.

rach

> Hello everyone,

> My daughters doctor told me that I can refrigerate her insulin and

use it till its gone that once I open it it willl still be good

after 30 days as long as I keep it refrigerated. Has anyone else

heard of this? Tammi

[Guest guest]

Tammi wrote:

>My daughters doctor told me that I can refrigerate her insulin and use it

>till its gone that once I open it it willl still be good after 30 days as

>long as I keep it refrigerated. Has anyone else heard of this?

Insulin lasts just fine for at least 30 days without refrigeration. Once I

start a bottle, I do not refrigerate it for the 30 days it takes me to use

that bottle. Cold insulin hurts. I do throw out any Lantus left in the

bottle after about 30-35 days as I understand that Lantus is more sensitive

to ambient temperatures. I do keep extra bottles (back stock) refrigerated

until I open them for use. Check the box (or enclosed flyer) for the safe

range of temperatures.

Sandy

T1 -1979

[Guest guest]

> Cold insulin hurts.

>

Is that why when I use the bottle at home (that is refriged) it stings/hurts,

and when I use my insulin pens (in purse no refriged) it doesnt?? I thought

it was the difference in the needles, I never thought about it was cause it was

cold.

[Guest guest]

metaylorokc@... wrote:

> > Cold insulin hurts.

>

>Is that why when I use the bottle at home (that is refriged) it stings/hurts,

>and when I use my insulin pens (in purse no refriged) it doesnt??

That has been my experience, yes, which is why I discontinued refrigerating

the vials that are in use many years ago (24?). Of course, I keep all back

stock refrigerated until I open it for 30-day use. It makes sense that

introducing a substance (via injection) at drastically less (or more) than

body temperature would cause the body to produce some sort of " assault "

reaction.

Sandy

T1 - 1979