Insulin Expiration

[ladytaz]

Ok, I did a search trying to find the answer to this question, and went thru lots of pages getting no where fast! So...... I'll just ask ...

Does anyone know how long does insulin *really* last in an open vial? I know they say 30 days ... but can/does it really last longer?

I'm asking because, I have a vial of open Regular, I've only used 30 or so units of it so far (don't have to use it that often) and about the 13th of March will be the 30 day mark. Well, of course it won't be used up, and I'll be throwing away nearly $20 worth of insulin. I'd like to get as much out of it as I can, if you know what I mean? I dont have insurance therefore I pay for everything on my own ... I'd like to waste as little money as possilble, yanno! ;)

TIA

[JediSkipdogg]

It all depends on the type of insulin. I can tell you the rule of thumb with Lantus is it lasts 30 days max. That has been proven numerous times by posters on here. I don't recall anyone talking about the other insulins though.

[ladytaz]

Thanks Jedi!

It's Novolin R that I'm asking about. Hopefully someone has the answer! ;)

[kel4han]

We learned the hard way, that our Novolog really does not last past day 28 after puncture. Levemir seemed to last forever though.

[belyro]

I use Humalog and Levemir. For both, I use them either until they're gone or until they seem to be less effective. (Not very scientific, I know.) It probably usually ends up being about a month and a half for each.

[ladytaz]

I wonder how similar they are to Novolin?? It's not like I take it every day or anything, only when I'm over 160. Which so far has been a few times a week ....

Well thanks for the response guys! :)

[ladytaz]

Ok, got my answer peeps!! Thanks Again!!!

[right2fight]

Tia, when my son was dx'd that was what we used. I recall it has a shelf life of 30 days only.

Margaret

[caryj]

Novolog lasts longer than 28 days. I know that for a fact. Sometimes I have 5 or 6 vials open at a time.

[LancetChick]

For me, Regular insulin lasts at least 2 months in the fridge. Lantus lasts 2 months as long as I only take it out of the fridge to fill a syringe. I use up a Humalog vial in less than 2 months, but it lasts more than a month refrigerated. The only problems I've had with insulin going bad have coincided with vials that I've carried around in my purse rather than carrying a pre-filled syringe, so I make sure my insulin vials stay refrigerated all the time, and I haven't had one go bad since sticking to that rule (knock on wood).

[cheryl]

I have been on Reg Nph ultralente and now Humalog and Lantus, I don't see a difference at all period my humalog is used for longer then 2 months, now with lantus, if I dont keep it in the fridge it looses it's potency, but if i keep it in the fridge i see no difference, maybe it is a tad stronger never weaker to me.......I think they say this to make money off us honestly, how much more do they want to bleed me dry.....

Cherl

[lgvincent]

Humalog, regular, and NPH last me a pretty long time. A vial of NPH lasts me around 50 days during the winter months. It takes 30 to 36 days for me to use a vial of Humalog so I'm confident that it can last that long, provided the temperature outside isn't too hot.

[ladytaz]

Thank You y'all! :) I'm just gonna keep using my open vial until it either runs out, or loses it's potency, whichever comes first! LOL I just can't see throwing out an almost full vial just because it's been 30 days, if I know it will actually last longer than that! $20 may not be alot to most people to waste, but for me, it means that's $20 more I can put towards test strips!! When you shovel out all the money from your own pocket for your D stuffs, $20 is a LOT of money!! ;)