bad insulin

sqtaz61 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-01-2007, 04:41 PM

How do you know if insulin is bad when you are not certain either degree limit was met?

ant hill · #2 (**permalink**) 07-01-2007, 05:25 PM

Hi, Would you know if it was warm or had too much sunlight or any abnormal discoloration in the liquid?.

LancetChick · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2007, 06:04 PM

When it's bad, it just doesn't work. In my experience with bad insulin (has only happened 3 or 4 times) it happens very quickly, going from good insulin to water in about a day. I've learned to keep my vials in the refrigerator at all times, taking only the pre-filled syringes with me when I leave the house. That way it lasts until I've used it all, much longer than 28 days. If you suspect a bottle of insulin, just open a new one and see if it makes a difference.

xMenace · #4 (**permalink**) 07-01-2007, 06:21 PM

I can't sa I've ever experienced one. I use them up too quickly.

JJeenn · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 08:17 PM

I've only had it happen with Humalog twice, never with Lantus, and both times my blood sugar went up and then just kept going higher no matter how much I corrected. The first time the insulin seemed to somehow lose potency slowly, but the second time it worked one minute and didn't work the next (and I also reacted a lot faster at switching to a new vial, having had it happen once already). I actually still have my records from both times showing how my blood sugars went:

May 2005 (the first time it went bad slowly, possibly from using it for too long):

05/27
B: 6.3 (113)
L: 8.0 (144) - corrected
D: 2.7 (49)
N: 5.8 (104)

05/28 (here's the day I think it started to go bad at some point)
B: 7.5 (135) - corrected
L: 9.9 (178) - corrected
D: 9.9 (178) - corrected
N: 11.2 (202) - corrected

05/29
B: 11.5 (207) - corrected
L: 16.5 (297) - corrected
D: 18.8 (338) - corrected
N: 19.4 (349) - changed to new vial of Humalog and corrected

05/30
B: 9.4 (169) - corrected
L: 6.5 (117)
D: 5.4 (97)
N: 6.4 (115)

August 2006 (went bad really suddenly, possibly from overheating):

08/04
B: 8.8 (158) - corrected
L: 3.9 (70)
D: 6.1 (110)
N: 19.4 (349) - corrected

08/05
B: 18.8 (338) - corrected
L: 20.0 (360) - switched to new vial of Humalog and corrected
D: 3.0 (54)
N: 8.9 (160)

notme · #6 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 08:22 PM

Depends on the type on insulin. I have had NPH and REG insulin go back. Both of those get clumps like white curds in the bottom. Humalog just doesn't work anymore. You inject and end up with high numbers. You inject to correct and it doesn't correct. Open a new bottle and it works.

It usually is age and heat that makes it go bad.