Lantus left out of fridge

[TanyaG]

Hi all so we accidently left Tinka's Lantus insulin vial out of the fridge this morning after her shot and just discovered it on the counter 7 hrs later. The house was not hot, we live in Canada and it's cold out, but was still about 73 inside with heating on. It's back in the fridge now. Will it be ok to use or have we damaged it? Thanks!

 

[saltycat]

It is still ok to use, it probably shortened the shelf-life of the vial a bit though. For human use, the pens are carried around un-refrigerated in purses and pockets and I believe are good for 4-6 weeks stored at room temp. Since we typically dose smaller amounts, the pens last longer and keeping them in the fridge extends the shelf life. The two big things to look out for are cloudiness or small "floaties" in the insulin. The harder question is how long it will be good for. Hopefully some others who have had similar accidents can chime in.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

In Canada, you can buy cartridges which are like pen refills, but cheaper than pens with less "stuff". A cartridge is like a mini vial, although you take it out like you do a pen (check the video that shows you how). You get 5 cartridges in a package, and if you accidentally ruin one, it's less to throw away. Having said that, I think you may be OK with your vial. Lots of people leave them out overnight. A few years ago I took a cartridge on a 3 day road trip to Colorado and back in very hot summer weather, although in a cooler. It went a little off a week or so after we got back. Fortunately Neko was a high doser then so I didn't throw out much insulin.

 

[Chris/China (GA)/Garfield]

We've all left our insulin out at one time or another.....it'll be fine

It may reduce the effectiveness by a few days, but that's about it.....you can expect a vial to last 4-6 months so just watch for the numbers to start to go up without any other reason and if it's been over 3 months, consider the possibility that the insulin needs to be replaced

 

[TanyaG]

In Canada, you can buy cartridges which are like pen refills, but cheaper than pens with less "stuff". A cartridge is like a mini vial, although you take it out like you do a pen (check the video that shows you how). You get 5 cartridges in a package, and if you accidentally ruin one, it's less to throw away. Having said that, I think you may be OK with your vial. Lots of people leave them out overnight. A few years ago I took a cartridge on a 3 day road trip to Colorado and back in very hot summer weather, although in a cooler. It went a little off a week or so after we got back. Fortunately Neko was a high doser then so I didn't throw out much insulin.

Thanks Wendy the cartridges sound handy. Do you buy them from the vets or where do you get them from? Tinks is on Lantus so would need to be a Lantus cartridge.

 

[TanyaG]

We've all left our insulin out at one time or another.....it'll be fine

It may reduce the effectiveness by a few days, but that's about it.....you can expect a vial to last 4-6 months so just watch for the numbers to start to go up without any other reason and if it's been over 3 months, consider the possibility that the insulin needs to be replaced

Thanks Chris that's good to know Right now Tinka's numbers are all over the chart but hopefully over the next month we'll have some more consistency and then that way it'll be easier to notice any changes with the insulin.

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Thanks Wendy the cartridges sound handy. Do you buy them from the vets or where do you get them from? Tinks is on Lantus so would need to be a Lantus cartridge.

Any pharmacy should carry it. Ask for the box of 5 Lantus cartridges. Should be about 110-120CDN for the box. Costco (which doesn't require a membership to use the pharmacy) might be the cheapest.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

In my part of town (BC), cheapest price is surprisingly Safeway pharmacy for cartridges. I compared with others who bought at Cosco locally. Real Canadian Superstore was also a good price.

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

My local independent pharmacy was the same price as Costco.

In Canada, you don't need a prescription for Lantus if you tell them it is for your diabetic cat. Only humans need prescriptions.

 

[TanyaG]

Thanks so much @Wendy&Neko & @Red & Rover (GA) I will look to get the cartridges for when this vial is finished. Will def safeway or local pharmacy to compare prices. Thanks again!