Old insulin better than no insulin?

jjames · #1 (**permalink**) 11-26-2007, 02:03 PM

I ran out of insulin a few weeks back while I was out of town, and couldn't get a refill on my insulin (without paying full price) because I had already refilled the week before. Anyway, I've decided to give a friend an extra bottle of insulin where I travel to on a regular basis in case I forget / run out of insulin unexpectedly, but started to think: if it's several months down the road - would the insulin still be any good? (We're dealing with an opened refrigerated bottle of Humalog.)

Ideas? Opinions? Fact sheets?

Stealthman80 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-26-2007, 04:24 PM

let me think here, I THINK 3 months after its been opened refigerated, I know it's 1 month out of the fridge

Peggy · #3 (**permalink**) 11-26-2007, 04:43 PM

We get our insulin thru the mail, three month supply at a time, so it must be safe in the fridge for at least three months. But it would be better if it was unopened, I would think

ant hill · #4 (**permalink**) 11-26-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjames

but started to think: if it's several months down the road - would the insulin still be any good? (We're dealing with an opened refrigerated bottle of Humalog.)

Ideas? Opinions? Fact sheets?

As long it's been in the fridge it should be ok I would think. For me I have disposable syringes to get the last drop as I hate waste.

Which reminds me to go to the pharmacy and get some novorapid.

jjames · #5 (**permalink**) 11-26-2007, 04:47 PM

Does anyone know if the potency just diminishes, or if it goes bad completely after 3 months or so?

SharpTail · #6 (**permalink**) 11-26-2007, 05:02 PM

I am sure if the vial has not been opened it will be good for a very long time. I would also think that a partially used vial if refrigerated would have an extended life. One thing you could consider if you can get it is a box of the Humalog pen cartridges. Each vial in a box with 5 I believe is 3 ml in volume rather than 10 ml (Ithink) with a regular vial. That way you are risking a smaller volume of insulin if it happens to go bad.
Pat

TenderVittleS · #7 (**permalink**) 11-26-2007, 05:09 PM

If it has been opened generally it lasts only about 30 days. After that the effectiveness goes way dow for me anyways. I wouldn't count on it IMO.

cheryl · #8 (**permalink**) 11-26-2007, 05:30 PM

When I was on shots my humalog was room temp.....and my bottle lasted me sometimes 2 and half months and trust me I got some lows still on it.....so I know it can keep for a while......I never noticed when I would get a fresh bottle versus the old bottle in blood sugars at all, I was stingy with my humalog when I was on shots, I still am but now it only lasts 6 weeks poo....

Cheryl

BlueSky · #9 (**permalink**) 11-26-2007, 05:37 PM

Before we immigrated to New Zealand in 1997, I accumulated a big stock of Humalog because I knew that it wasn't available here at the time. I kept it in the fridge, and a year later it was still working fine. The only time I have had insulin lose potency is when it had been left out of the fridge.

jjames · #10 (**permalink**) 11-26-2007, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSky

Before we immigrated to New Zealand in 1997, I accumulated a big stock of Humalog because I knew that it wasn't available here at the time. I kept it in the fridge, and a year later it was still working fine. The only time I have had insulin lose potency is when it had been left out of the fridge.

Now that kinda answers my question. I think that even if it had less potency, and it were for a few days - it would surely be better than going without any. All agree?

silverfrost · #11 (**permalink**) 11-26-2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjames

Now that kinda answers my question. I think that even if it had less potency, and it were for a few days - it would surely be better than going without any. All agree?

Definitely.

I've also had Humalog pens in the fridge for over three months now. I don't remove a pen from the fridge until I'll be using that pen all the time, and then it's only out for 3 weeks or so. They all seem to be working fine for me still.

JJM335 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-27-2007, 06:29 AM

It depends on which insulin. In my experience Lantus is notoriously flaky, opened cartridges can go off if kept at room temp for a week or two. OTOH Novorapid/Novolog seems to be more or less bomb proof. I used to keep my pen in my jeans pocket all day every day (incubating nicely at body temperature) and never had a problem.

JediSurfer · #13 (**permalink**) 11-27-2007, 08:10 AM

Direct exposure to sunlight or UV rays is the main danger for insulin. Apart from that it will last ages. I have used stuff thats gone past its expirey date without realising for a couple of days and didn't notice any lack of potential.

desperado · #14 (**permalink**) 11-27-2007, 11:00 AM

I had asked my pharmacist this same question about Apidra and Lantus.
He said as long as they are unopened and remain refrigerated the insulin should be good until the date on the box. He said thats how it comes to the pharmacy.
As for opened boxes I have used Apidra and Lantus for 60 days as long as it is refrigerated , it still works for me

JediSkipdogg · #15 (**permalink**) 11-27-2007, 12:06 PM

Most insulin has at least a one year shelf date. Insulin comes with "Use By" dates and while I'm not at home, I believe in my last shipment I got a vial or two that don't expire till Jan 2009. Again, it has to be refrigerated during that time to help it last longer and once it's "opened" then it goes bad alot laster.