how do you store lantus?

[liz32]

I was just wondering how you guys store your lantus. I usually keep it in my glucometre bag but as it expires every 28 days, I'm throwing away alot of it. I decided this time to put it in the fridge but after I inject it, it stung! Generally it only stings when i inject in the leg. This stung in the tummy and I don't really care for it. The pharmacists says to store it outside the fridge but then again they make more money that way. I wonder what you all do and it it stings for you? We can't get a pen yet in canada. I geuss we're still two years behind you guys...it sucks! Thanks

[sparkle9]

I keep my lantus in the fridge because of my own expereince and things I've read here about it not maintaining its potency out of the fridge. In my case, I'm not sure if the high sugar readings had anything to do with the temperature of the lantus. I just keep it in the fridge to be on the safe side.

Lantus injections no longer cause stinging for me. The injections stung for the first week or two and then they didn't. Or... I just got used to it. Doesn't bother me at all, but I know everyone is different.

sparkle9

[jeggeman31]

When I was on Lantus I would store it in the fridge, take it out about 30 min prior to injection. I was always told to keep it in the fridge. I did not have to worry about throwing any away as I went through a vile a month

[TvBabe]

I keep my Lantus in the fridge, draw my syringe an hour before I inject and rarely get that "burn" .....this works for me :)

[Mick]

After being opened, Lantus, like any and all insulin, does not require refrigeration, and does not stay potent for longer if kept refrigerated after opening. You'll get 28-35 days out of it, no matter what you do. Of course, it should not get above 86 degrees either--as should any insulin, but other than that, there is never a need to keep insulin you are currently using cold. If fact, injecting cold insulin can have a somewhat negative effect on absorption within the body, especially Lantus, which is very sensitive to tissue changes for its proper absorption characteristics. It should never be injected into muscle or even close to a muscular area--My doctor warned me that injecting it into my thighs might speed up its action, and that's exactly what happened--so I inject Lantus--at room temp--only in my tummy. I have checked with the Lantus people--I was on it during its initial trial period--and they insist that, refrigerated or not, 28 days is it--but I still go for an even month, whether it's February or not! It's not a money issue--it's just the way insulin works--it's not the cold as much as letting in air which begins to weaken it after a period of time. I throw away half a vial each month. C'est la vie, eh?

Michael

[HeatherP]

I keep mine in the fridge during the whole time I'm using it. I inject relatively small amounts so I don't seem to have a problem with stinging most of the time. I have to chuck it after about 30 days (after opening). On the rare occasion I take a day trip somewhere and I might need to take Lantus with me, I usually just toss it into my craftkeeper (which is what I keep all my supplies in at home) and try to keep it with me (like in a backpack or something) so it doesn't get left in a hot car or something similar.

[liz32]

thanks for all the input you guys. Since it doesn't matter where I store it (other than excessive heat), I'll go back to keepingit in my glucometer bag. That's where I store most things so that I can take it all on the go. I geuss it's just frustrating to throw half of it away each month but at least it's only about $20 . I just hate waste. Anyway..... :whistling

[Sparkle]

Hi

I keep lantus in the fridge and just get it out when I need to replace cartridge. When I go away I just keep it at room temp or below - keeps for 28 days out of fridge anyway. Keeps in fridge for ages.

Just said what everyone else has - sorry ! Do you not have an Autopen 24 for lantus?? What type of pens do you use in USA?

[james kirk]

Why is Lantus sold in large vials? Why do most of us throw away a large portion of our Lantus after 28 days? $ $ $ That's why...don't think that these people are are friends ( yes, there are some good individuals out there but...) if they were Lantus would be sold in a few different size vials to help cut the waste. Just like those TV ads about test strips "I'm diabetic and I test 10 times a day"
yhow about 20, 30, 40 times. I'm pushin the financial envelope at 4 times. Then again those of you that have health insurance live on another planet.

[KickStart101]

Why is Lantus sold in large vials? Why do most of us throw away a large portion of our Lantus after 28 days? $ $ $ That's why...don't think that these people are are friends ( yes, there are some good individuals out there but...) if they were Lantus would be sold in a few different size vials to help cut the waste. Just like those TV ads about test strips "I'm diabetic and I test 10 times a day"
yhow about 20, 30, 40 times. I'm pushin the financial envelope at 4 times. Then again those of you that have health insurance live on another planet.
I don't use Lantus yet, but I would keep it in the Fridge 'til about 10 minutes 'til I needed it.

[rzrbks]

Keep it in the Fridge until I suck up a syringe full, then back in the fridge---

Mick is correct, it doesn't have to be kept there, but since I prefer Warm place, I'm always afraid that it'll go bad.


About to switch over to the Opticlik pen, in the U.S. for my lantus and Wonder of Wonders, it comes in 300mL cartridges so I will not be throwing any more away

thread coving why I'm switching to Lantus pen
http://www.diabetesforums.com/showthread.php?t=4908