"chunky" insulin?

[firebeads]

I am very new to taking insulin, just since March of this year. I recently discovered that the bottle I was using (Humalog) has small particles floating in it. Originally there were 2 particles, now there are maybe 100 - like whatever it is is growing. Some are specks, some larger and almost thread like. I stopped using it, but I had used it already for about 5 days. Anyone ever have this happen? Did you find out what it was? I am wondering what it is that I have injected and if it will affect my health. Experience? Suggestions?

Linda

[lgvincent]

I've just had it happen for the first time. I've been having lots of problems with NPH recently but the vial of Humalog I'm using started out with 1 particle in it and now has at least 3. I don't know what's going on with it. Sorry I can't help.

[Shalyndria]

Linda,
While I don't use Humalog myself (I'm a NovoRapid Girl :) ) I have heard that it can crystallize, which may be your problem. My advice: Don't Use It! Chuck it out and start a fresh vial.

Lot's of Humalog users here who may be better help than myself.

Shy

[am1977]

I agree with Shy, I don't think I would use it. I might call my pharmacist and see what he or she suggests, but if you can't do that I would definitely try a new vial.

[gettingby]

I take Humalog 3x/day and I've never had that to happen to me. Strange.

[HeatherP]

Never had it happen, but I've been told to watch for that and it's not a good thing. Throw it away and start a fresh vial.

[lgvincent]

I've been using it since 1996 and this is the first time I've ever seen it happen. Of course, I'd had several vials of NPH go bad during the last year. I'm guessing perhaps this horrible heat has something to do with it but I don't know for sure.

[DDR_Freak88]

im on a pump, its the heat.

[firebeads]

Thanks everyone for your posts. A friend of a friend..... works at a hospital lab and agreed to culture it for me. Upon initial examination under a microscope he said it appeared crystalline. The culture will be complete tomorrow, but the lab guy said so far it appears that there is no contamination.

I was just a bit freaked out about it all. I have only been using insulin since March and was wondering what it was I injected into myself before I discovered the growing particles. The manufacturer was falling all overthemselves trying to get the vial back - to the point of calling me to say they would come pick it up! My previous experience with them had been much less than cooperative. Maybe I have seen too many movies, but their response sent up the red flags!

Anyway, when I get the lab report I will post the results.

Linda

[Teresa]

i used to use humalog that had floaty bits in it.... it was a humalog mix tho so i figured it was meant to be like tha ... hmmm... im a novorapid (novolog to the US) and lantus girl now tho

[lgvincent]

Did you ever what the floaters in your insulin were?

[firebeads]

I thought I posted that reply, maybe in my dreams. There's a lot I forget these days :confused:

A 72 hour culture came out negative, meaning no growth (bacteria). That is as much of an answer I got. The lab feels the bottle was temperature compromised and resulted in a separation. I am sending the bottle to the manufacturer and see what they have to say about it (if anything).

Linda

[JasonJayhawk]

Originally posted by firebeads
Thanks everyone for your posts. A friend of a friend..... works at a hospital lab and agreed to culture it for me. Upon initial examination under a microscope he said it appeared crystalline. The culture will be complete tomorrow, but the lab guy said so far it appears that there is no contamination.


As you already found out, there was no bacterial contamination. That's a good sign because insulin is stored in substances that inhibit the growth of bacteria. If insulin did not have this inherit trait, contamination would be awful -- think of all the infections we'd get from needle injections or needle re-use. Luckily, microbes do not have a successful or long life in the insulin mixture.

Crystalization can start from excessive shaking -- once a crystal forms, it's usually a trigger for additional ones to form. In the old days, zinc was used to inhibit the crystalization, but it still happened. Crystalization can also happen from a contaminated needle. The pH of insulin solutions is in the acidic (low pH) range. If a higher pH is introduced (such as when you inject this insulin into your body), the insulin then does its job -- it crystalizes.

In the case of your insulin bottle, a tiny bit of the solution could have been exposed to a slightly higher pH (or perhaps some insulin was contaminating a needle that was being reused) -- this provided a location for the insulin to crystalize.

If you have a new vial of insulin, I'd suggest taking it back to the pharmacy. Perhaps they can exchange vials. Hopefully they're storing it in a 'frige...

(BTW, my college degree is in microbiology).