How long does an opened bottle last?

[juco]

Hi guys! My cat Simone and I are new to the forum. Simone was diagnosed when she had a very bad liver infection last month. She's been on 0.5 - 1 unit of Lantus twice a day for a month. When we got the Lantus we noticed that it says that it's good for 28 days after it's opened. But at these tiny doses, we haven't even gone through half of the bottle yet! We keep it refrigerated, which I would think would prolong its life. Does it really go bad after 28 days?

Thanks!

 

[Vesla and Blondie (GA)]

Hi Juco! My Blondie used Lantus for years and the best way to order it is to use the 'pen cartridges' which are used in the Lantus pen injectors. Each package has 5 catridges which resemble a slender glass vial with a little rubber stopper at the end. Just like the bottle has.

The beauty of using these vials (you won't be using the pen which isn't in the box anyway) is that they will last longer due to the fact that the vial won't be contaminated as quickly and if I remember right, it's cheaper but please any members, if that's changed please chime in.

But anyway, I highly suggest asking your vet to write a prescription out for the pen cartridges. The thing is, you must ask the vet to specificaly write the script for the pen cartridges and if she/he doesn't, the pharmacy will only sell you the bottle. Costco carries the Lantus pen cartridges and I think you'll much prefer it this way once you try it. (I hope I'm making sense for you as my new kitty is wriggling in front of me on my computer desk. Very distracting!) V

Edited to add... I have had a bottle last longer than the 28 days but if you start to see 'floaties' in the vial, it's time get a new one vial or cartridge, which ever you end up using.

 

[Blue]

The 28 days is the guaranteed length for a container of Lantus that has been punctured and stored at room temperature I think. I know many say that their Lantus has lasted longer, but for those who are home testing, you can tell when the insulin has lost its 'kick' when the BG numbers start going up.

I have always tracked on our ss the date that a new insulin container is started. You can continue to use the insulin and if the BG numbers start to seem going 'off', you can check your ss to see how long you have been using the current container.

I agree that it's best to get cartridges or pens as they are only 3ml each while the vial/bottles are 10ml. At a low dose, you will likely not use it all so there would be more waste.

 

[Melanie and Smokey]

As long as you keep it in the fridge and handle it well (don't shake or drop) the Lantus should last longer than 28 days. Our first vial lasted about 3 1/2 months and we didn't handle it the best (shot air bubbles/extra insulin back in, rolled it like the vet told us to, forgot it on the counter a few times. Didn't know any better at the beginning). Myself, I wasn't impressed with the pens and I switched back to the vial the last time I refilled. They seemed less stable to me and in our area the cost of them is so much higher I was paying more for a month of insulin that way.

You will notice that your numbers creep back up, you get less of a response to the insulin, if it is starting to go bad. I wouldn't worry about a vial until it is at couple months unless the numbers are acting funny.

 

[Blue]

Usually, when your insulin has gone, you will see it in your numbers.
Since you have only recently started your spreadsheet, you can't really look at how the numbers were before but from the looks of it, you are still getting a good reaction to the insulin.

I call it 'THE JOJO SQUINT' ... if you look at your spreadsheet and start to see the colors slowly going higher with each dose.... less blues and more yellows, then the odd pink number shows up, and then you have no more blues, well, if you see that your Lantus bottle has been in use for over a month, it's likely time to crack open a fresh container of insulin.

The 28days is like a guarantee; that all testing has shown the lantus to be good till that date. Sure, it could last longer, but the testing, the guarantee given by the mfgr goes to only 28 days.
Levemir is said to be good for 42days, but it's lasted longer for many people.

You are being told that your insulin should definitely be good till 28days or so, but nothing is to stop a vial from being bad in a week! For sure you would return it, but a vial that seems to have fizzled after 34 days, well, it's past the 28 so time for a new container.

The vials are 10ml and if you are on a small dose like you are, you will end up wasting more than you use, so tell your vet you want the next rx for pens of cartridges as they are only 3ml each.

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

oh my goodness! please read through the sticky at the top of this forum for the most up-to-date information:
LANTUS & LEVEMIR - INFO, PROPER HANDLING, & STORAGE.

if handled properly, lantus vials and pens can last for around six months. here's an excerpt from that sticky regarding longevity:


HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR INSULIN IS NO LONGER GOOD?

• When you lose regulation for no reason.

• If you see any hint of "floaties"/"tiny particles"... discard the insulin.

• If insulin is cloudy or discolored, or if rubber stopper is cracked... replace insulin immediately.

• The manufacturer of Lantus recommends discarding the insulin after 28 days of use (in-use, unrefrigerated, for humans).
  However, many Lantus users have been able to use a vial/cartridge/pen for as long as six months.

• The manufacturer of Levemir recommends discarding the insulin after 42 days of use (in-use, unrefrigerated, for humans).
  Many Levemir users have been able to use a vial/pen for four to six months... some to the last drop.

• Think Tank Discussion: How Long Does Lantus/Levemir Last Once Opened?
  
  • Opened Lantus and Levemir vials, cartridges, and pens can last longer than many FDMB members seem to think. Some caregivers of diabetic cats have used Lantus/Levemir down to the last drop. Lantus users from the German Katzen Forum have reported using opened Lantus for up to six months and Levemir up to four months if kept refrigerated and handled properly. Lantus is NOT as fragile as we once thought.
    
    From two of the leading researchers in the field of lantus use with feline diabetics, Jacquie S. Rand BVS, DVS and Rhett D.Marshall BVS (University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia):
    
    "Glargine should be refrigerated because it has a shelf life of 4 weeks once opened and kept at room temperature. We have found that opened vials kept refrigerated can be used for more than 6 months. If using an insulin pen, the manufacturer recommends that once a vial of insulin is used, the pen be kept at room temperature because temperature changes associated with refrigeration alter the volume administered by the pen."
    http://www.uq.edu.au/ccah/index.html?page=43599&pid=0
    
    We use U100 syringes to draw Lantus from cartridges and pens. We do NOT use needle tips which can be attached to the pens to administer insulin. Therefore, refrigeration will not alter the volume administered by the pen apparatus. Refrigeration combined with the use of syringes to draw insulin (versus using the needle tip made for the pen) from the opened pen has been found to extend it's life well beyond the 28 days suggested by the manufacturer.
  • Unopened Lantus is good until the expiration date stamped on the box if refrigerated and handled properly.