Insulin in Pens and Heat ??

[paul.johnson]

Hi, Does anyone know if your Insulin will be affected in this short stay Heat spell ? ie shorten shelf life so to speak, as its not recommended to live in fridge once a vial has been started ??
Thanks

 

[Kaylz]

Should be fine but if your worried you could buy a frio pouch to keep them cool

folk with pumps have it next to their body all the time so it would be hotter
xx

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

It’s not likely to be hugely affected unless in direct sunlight I don’t think.

It may shave a day or so off the 28 day expected life in ambient temperature, but most likely you will have used it before then anyway.

Just keep an eye on BGs at the end of the cartridge and swap it for a new one if it seems to be behaving unexpectedly.

I once had a period where our fridge was on the fritz and occasionally warming up not cooling. It took me AGES to realise that the insulin was being affected and had a shorter shelf life because of the storage conditions.

You should ditch open insulin after 28 days anyway I think?

 

[Kaylz]

You should ditch open insulin after 28 days anyway I think?

Most yes however Tresiba at least states it can be used for 8 weeks after being opened xx

 

[paul.johnson]

Thanks for info people, will not sweat over it any more 😉 sorry for the pun

 

[Bruce Stephens]

It’s not likely to be hugely affected unless in direct sunlight I don’t think.

Even at today's temperatures? (Likely to be at least 35 here, maybe 39.) I knew modern insulins were more stable, but that's impressive.
I'll still keep mine in the Frio pouch, though.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Even at today's temperatures? (Likely to be at least 35 here, maybe 39.) I knew modern insulins were more stable, but that's impressive.
I'll still keep mine in the Frio pouch, though.

Well all the usual precautions apply... Check the Patient Information Leaflet... [most] Insulin should appear clear and colourless... Product may be used stored at ambient temp for 4 weeks... Check the expiry date... Do not freeze or use if it has frozen... Store below 30°C*...

*So yes one day where temp might hit 39 will possibly shorten life of the insulin a little, depending on where you store it. Having said that the weather forecast temps always used to be 'Stephenson screen' shade temperatures, and I wouldn't expect my insulin to completely stop working the minute I walk out my front door on a sunny day (and as a pump user I'm not always stood in the shade, and sometimes go to the beach on holiday etc). I know some pump users who frequently holiday in hot places get into the habit of underfilling reservoirs so that the insulin carried on them doesn't have to last the full 3 days in high temp/occasional full sun, but gets swapped at 2 days.

For me the bottom line is not to panic, and to keep a close eye on levels. If the insulin suddenly seems to be acting like water and you know that is was exposed to a few days of extra hot temps, ditch it and go back to fridge-stored stuff. 🙂