Insulin - may have frozen

[mum2westiesGill]

How should I store Humalog?
Do not use insulin if it has been frozen

Lantus
Unopened vial:
Store new (unopened) LANTUS vials in a refrigerator (not the freezer) between 36?F to 46?F (2?C to 8?C). Do not freeze LANTUS.

Just seen both of the above in the prescribing info but don't know what i should do.
- first day of holiday insulin put into fridge straight away and fridge turned on
- 2nd day of holiday probably luchtime or teatime I noticed the fridge had been turned to it's highest setting (thanks hubby) and some things had started to freeze and also my insulin was right at the back of the fridge but I couldn't tell if it was frozen or not
- once home the 2 full boxes of insulin were returned to the fridge and so far I've not needed to use them

- would you dispose of them or take a chance and use them?
- if I dispose of them I've got plenty of QA/Humalog left but would have to order another box of the BI/lantus - what do I tell the surgery? 😱

 

[Northerner]

Personally, I would get some fresh and explain to the doctor that the fridge on holiday was faulty and the insulin was compromised. It has happened to others here and I don't think it is worth trying to rely on possibly useless insulin which could put you in danger of very high levels.

 

[delb t]

Our novorapid stuck to the back of the fridge in tenerife- we chucked it when we got back
Now we always store it in a plastic container in the fridge -and bring one when we go away too- another thing for the hols list!

 

[Copepod]

As I really hate throwing away expensive medications that MIGHT be OK, I'd be tempted to try one of the suspect cartridges (just 1 insulin at a time)and monitor your blood glucose carefully, say every 2 hours. If it's been compromises, then blood glucose will obviously be higher than it would be otherwise. Then repeat with other insulin on another day. Obviously, if it's compromised, then discard that insulin and get replacement.

 

[pippaandben]

As I really hate throwing away expensive medications that MIGHT be OK, I'd be tempted to try one of the suspect cartridges (just 1 insulin at a time)and monitor your blood glucose carefully, say every 2 hours. If it's been compromises, then blood glucose will obviously be higher than it would be otherwise. Then repeat with other insulin on another day. Obviously, if it's compromised, then discard that insulin and get replacement.

I froze mine when hubby did the same thing to the caravan fridge. Dr absolutely ok on giving another prescription in this case when previously he has been a stickler on eg strips etc before going onto insulin.
Always remember to ensure you have supplies back home for use after return from holiday in case of probpems on journey as well.