How long can insulin be out of refrigerator?

[MURPHYSMOM]

I left the vet just after 4:30pm with my new insulin for Murphy- PZI. They wrapped the box that contained the vial in two cold packs. I thought I would be home in an hour, but it was closer to 2. I had stopped at the pet store to get some new food and freeze dried treats and then went to pick up something to eat. I asked for a cup of ice and added it the insulated bad I had the insulin in. when I got home the cold packs were melted. the box still felt cold as did the bottle, but not fridge cold. Is it ok or did I goof up again? It was too late to call the vet of course and so I gave Murphy his 8 1/2 units of Vetsulin instead of starting fresh at 2 units with the PZI as the vet told me to. I cannot call them until tomorrow pm as I have my stress test at 8am. Is the New Insulin good?

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

It should be fine....We've all left our insulin out for a matter of minutes to hours, to all day or all night....it might reduce it's effectiveness at some point down the line, but we're talking about replacing a bottle a couple days earlier than you would have if you hadn't left it out.

Don't sweat it...we all do it!

 

[SweetAngel]

I think up to 4 hours is ok.

Shld get chance to do your pics tonight x

 

[Rachel]

I think you want to make sure there aren't little bits floating around in it. Is be shocked if there were though. It should be fine since it was still cold.

 

[BJM]

I've unintentionally left the ProZinc out overnight. Still OK the next day. It may shorten the overall lifespan of the bottle and/or reduce potency over time. You'll observe that by testing and watching the spreadsheet numbers. If you see the dose starting to creep up and the tests become higher overall, it has probably pooped out and a new vial is needed. Try to get in a curve at least monthly to check overall control as well as insulin effectiveness. My previous bottle was toast at about 4 months (oopsed a couple of times) so I put a reminder in my calendar to check/refill it then.

If/When you start a new bottle, it is prudent to slightly reduce the dose, just in case the old bottle was less potent than the new bottle. You may avoid setting up for a hypo that way.