Frozen insulin

[jalapino]

Good evening...and a very wet one!!

I have just gone into my fridge to replace my cartridge for my pen and my insulin was to close to the back of the fridge and is half frozen!

I have left it on the side to sorter de-frost can I still use it?

I have no other insulin apart from the half frozen insulin de-frosting as we speak 😱

 

[Twitchy]

Hi, If it was me I would NOT use the frozen insulin even when defrosted, I'd get to the duty pharmacist (details in local paper or try google??) vial in hand to see if they can help, or try out of hours doc/walk in centre? Good luck!

 

[Northerner]

Don't use it, it will more than likely have no effect If you can't get a fresh supply then avoid carbs. Hope you can get it sorted via late opening chemist!

p.s. get a fridge thermometer so you don't get it too cold 😉

 

[AlisonM]

Don't use it, I say too. I keep my supply in a lunch box at the bottom of the fridge in the veg keeper so it doesn't get too near the coldest bits.

 

[delb t]

OOPS! We have done this on hols - but had extra with us.We keep ours in a lunchbox and have a spare in grandparents fridge -as an incase too -'Hope you get it sorted.

 

[AlisonM]

Just asked Google, the one on Guildhall Walk is open till 8pm on Sundays. But if you can wait till tomorrow, you can ask for an emergency prescription.

 

[jalapino]

Thank you for your quick responses 🙂

I can wait till tomorrow as my levels have been so low, just out of interest why would it not work after being half frozen? 🙂

 

[AlisonM]

Thank you for your quick responses 🙂

I can wait till tomorrow as my levels have been so low, just out of interest why would it not work after being half frozen? 🙂

When fluids freeze, they expand, contracting again as they defrost can damage the constituents so that they may not work as they should.

 

[trophywench]

It crystalizes usually for starters - but anyway, it changes the structure of the insulin and having done that, it won't do what it's supposed to do and then it has a tendency to blow the seals when it defrosts, even if it didn't render it useless anyway!

Err, why was your 'in use' insulin in the fridge or were you just getting a new one out?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

TW...

I have just gone into my fridge to replace my cartridge for my pen...

😛

 

[Cleo]

I'd go to your nearest pharmacy and ask for a new pen ( ie the equivalent of one cartridge. ). I ran out of my lantus cartridges once (long story) and went to the local boots and they gave me a lantus disposable pen. I just had to give them my name and the name of my dr's surgery. At the end of the day your not asking for morphine or Valium ....so they should help you out even if you don't have a script .
I also put all my insulin boxes In a Tupperware box at the bottom of the fridge. Hint hint nudge nudge 🙂

 

[Lauras87]

I also put all my insulin boxes In a Tupperware box at the bottom of the fridge. Hint hint nudge nudge 🙂

I like your thinking. I may have to do this for my spare MDI insulin & vials.


Are you sorted Ant??

 

[jalapino]

It crystalizes usually for starters - but anyway, it changes the structure of the insulin and having done that, it won't do what it's supposed to do and then it has a tendency to blow the seals when it defrosts, even if it didn't render it useless anyway!

Err, why was your 'in use' insulin in the fridge or were you just getting a new one out?

I was getting a new one out!!

 

[jalapino]

I like your thinking. I may have to do this for my spare MDI insulin & vials.


Are you sorted Ant??

Ditto...good idea 🙂

Are fridge tends to freeze things if they sit right at the back so Tupperware is a good idea 🙂

Rang my surgery this morning laura and have a prescription waiting for me which I will pick up....ermmm now lol!!!

 

[robofski]

I keep mine in the fridge door, doesn't seem to get so cold there!

Other than the risk of luggage going missing that's another reason why you should never pack insulin in your check in luggage when flying, the temp in the hold can be significantly below that of the cabin and can cause your insulin to freeze!