Humolog Question

[frednouri]

Do you have to keep Humolog refrigerated at all times? I use the Humolog pen. Since I have to inject before each meal, I have to take it with me to work. So most of the time the pen is at room temperature. Lately I feel that Humolog is not lowering my B/G levels. For example, I tested 220 before injecting and it was still 205 after 15 minutes. I had started this pen about 6 hours earlier, brand new.

What do you think?

[DJFunkyMatt]

I was diagnosed less than two months ago, but I use humalog and I've kept detailed notes, and done a lot of research.

According to the documentation included with my Humalog vial, it lasts the same amount of time at room temp, but it does seem to be slightly more effective if I keep it refrigerated constantly. I use syringes. I'm not sure if that would make a difference.

I think you might be testing too soon to see the effects of the injection. Humolog doesn't peak until an hour after injection. 220 to 205 could be the beginning of a downward trend. You could be much lower at 1 hour.

[lgvincent]

I keep it at room temperature unless the outside temperature is too hot. In that case I keep it in the fridge. I think you may be testing too soon to see any difference, too.

[JediSkipdogg]

All insulin is best when kept refrigerated. Insulin can stand temperatures from about 40-86. Anything above 86 and it will start to break down.

Testing 15 minutes after injection is just about when it will start to work. Remember, Humalog lasts about 4-6 hours in the body before it's fully used up. Therefore you were just seeing the initial reaction of taking it and still need to wait a while before you see it bring the 220 down.

[Jill-O]

The documentation w/ my pen (Humalog Pen) says NOT to refridgerate an in use pen. I do not put it in the fridge. It's either on my kitchen counter, or in my purse, until it is empty.

[morrisma]

Depending on which insurance co was paying I used either humalog or novolog in my pump. Pump is out of the fridge unless I climb in. :D Never had a problem even in the summer.

[xMenace]

Do you have to keep Humolog refrigerated at all times? I use the Humolog pen. Since I have to inject before each meal, I have to take it with me to work. So most of the time the pen is at room temperature. Lately I feel that Humolog is not lowering my B/G levels. For example, I tested 220 before injecting and it was still 205 after 15 minutes. I had started this pen about 6 hours earlier, brand new.

What do you think?

http://www.diabetesnet.com/images/graphs/novolog-dynamics350.jpg

Dude, there's no way in he|| any injected insulin can get you down that fast. You should strive to understand this timing and the timing of your basal insulin. Your current understanding could lead to stacking problems: "it's not working so I need more" Then four hours later you are in serious trouble. Been there.

Generally insulin is fine for 28 days out of the fridge. I had an incident recently where I thing the humalog in my pump gave out. My set seemed good, but the insulin was on day four and had been through the wringer. I was inexplicably high and going higher. I changed insulin only and away we went.

[kgm0612]

The documentation w/ my pen (Humalog Pen) says NOT to refridgerate an in use pen. I do not put it in the fridge. It's either on my kitchen counter, or in my purse, until it is empty.

It's the same with Novolog too. Before pumping, I did the same as Jill did..........kept my Novolog pen out and carried it everywhere with me.

Karen

[frednouri]

Thanks for all of your responses. Humalog pens are new to me. I think my confusion was because of what my doctor told me. He said use the Humalog only when you sit down to eat. He also told me that Humalog is used to normalize the B/G level when it is in the "red" zone, above 550. To me that meant fast acting, i.e. 15 minutes. But I see that I (and him too) was wrong.

[beau91]

Hi Frednouri; your doctor was wrong in part True Humalog strarts working about 15 min after injected but it is not at it's peak ,See the post by XMenace look at the diagram .The peak is around 1or 2hrs after .And what your doctor told you by injecting when you sit down to eat .At restaurant I wait till I see my plate before injecting.Been in trouble for slow service.
And if you take Humalog before every meal .Your insulin from your preveous meal is still workink (residual insulin) .
Bye Ricky