Text Box: Do you use insulin? Many people with diabetes currently do use insulin. With the high cost of medications I’m sure that you try to make every thing last as long as possible. Well that could be a problem with insulin. Tests have shown that once insulin is used the shelf life is only about 28 days for most and even less for some types of insulin or insulin that is stored in cartridges. There are a lot of things that affect the shelf life of insulin, such as: light, heat, container, use, reusing syringes, and agitation. Reusing syringes can introduce particles or bacteria into the vial. Heat and light degrade the insulin itself. Agitation and frequent use or handling can also degrade insulin. Vials last longer than cartridges. The problem that occurs when insulin is used after it starts to degrade is that it does not work effectively to store glucose. This could affect ones blood sugar and cause a person to need more insulin, diabetes medication or cause a person’s diabetes to worsen. I hope the following tips will help in ensuring the proper use of insulin and control of blood sugar. General storage guidelines: Keep away from prolonged exposure to light Text Box: Keep unopened products refrigerated Keep products away from heat Don’t reuse syringes Always wipe insulin vial with alcohol before inserting syringe Don’t shake insulin, roll vial in hands to warm Handle products as little as possibl Vials last longer when opened than cartridge Don’t keep multiple vials of the same type of insulin open Try to keep a unopened back-up vial or cartridge on hand Make sure opened products are kept in a cool, dark place If any products are frozen, discard immediately If mixing insulins clear should be drawn into syringe first, then cloudy afterward (Lantus should not be mixed with any insulin) Store pre-drawn insulin in vertical position to prevent syringe from clogging the needle Humulin U, L, or N should not be mixed in the same syringe If clear insulin looks cloudy, do not use, discard or call pharmacy If insulin looks clumpy, discolored, Text Box: frosted, or contain things floating in it, do not use, discard immediately Unopened products stored in the refrigerator are good until expiration date on package Opened vials stored at room temperature in a dark place are good for about 28-30 days, but varies (see chart) Opened cartridges should be stored at room temperature in a dark place and are only good for 7 days For additional information talk with

The Shelf-life of Insulin

  Contributed by: Gracelynn Wilks, Pharm.D. Candidate

                        UMKC School of Pharmacy
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 Insulin Chart

 

PENS/CARTRIDGES

REFRIGERATED

(36 F to 46 F)

Unopened

ROOM TEMPERATURE

(59 F to 86 F)

Opened

 Humalog, Humulin R, Novolog,

 Novolin R 3 ml cartridge, Lantus

 

Until expiration date on bottle

 

28 Days

 Novolin R Pre-filled and 1.5 ml cartridge

 

Until expiration date on bottle

 

30 Days

 Humulin N, Novolin N3 ml cartridge

 

Until expiration date on bottle

 

14 days

 Humulin 70/30, Novolin 70/30 3 ml cartridge,

 Humalog Mix 75/25

 

Until expiration date on bottle

 

10 days

 Novolin N Pre-filled and 1.5 ml cartridge

 Novolin 70/30 Pre-filled and 1.5 ml cartridge

 

Until expiration date on bottle

 

7 days

 Self-filled syringes

 

14 days

 

7 days