Lantus - Power Outages - Storage

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Cindy and Brady

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Hi,

This is my first winter using lantus with my diabetic cat and we are experiencing our first major snowstorm. We lost power this afternoon but only for about an hour so we did not have any problems with the storage of the lantus insulin. As there is a high potential that we might lose the power again tonight I am wondering how to handle the lantus when the fridge is out due to power outages. If I don't open the door to the fridge how long would the lantus be "safe" for?

I live extremely close to the Atlantic ocean (across the street) so therefore there is a high possibility that I will lose power several times in the fall (Hurricanes) and winter (ice on wires/high winds off the ocean). Last winter I lost the power for 4 days straight and another time for 10 days. The power company has straighten our lines and hopefully it wouldn't be as drastic this year but I need to be prepared with the insulin.

How do you suggest I store the lantus during these outages and when should I discard it totally?

Thanks!
Cindy and Brady
 
if u have a cooler bag (lunchbag or cooler) you could grab a bag of ice or some from freezer (frozen veggies works too) and pack in there, just not to buried, on top is ok, so not to freeze it.

hope things turn out ok, be safe!
 
Just thinking out loud here...

I know that you can put a "medic alert" with the power company when a resident is dependent on oxygen or other electrical medical equipment. Supposedly those residences receive top priority in electrical outages.

Wondering if insulin dependency would qualify?
 
We also live 5 blocks from Atlantic Ocean..I have one of those blue plastic ice slabs in the freezer at all times(matter of fact, I have a few), you know the ones that go in an ice chest, & I have 3 coolers accessible to me..If lites go out, well, I have a backup--Lantus does need to be refrigerated--Hope you have a good 2010 with no outages...
 
I was just thinking as long as you can keep it packed in ice packs, frozen vegetables, etc., it should be fine. Also, it would make a difference if it was an open cartridge/vial or not. If it's unused, if you keep it on ice somehow, it'll likely be fine for several hours or possibly even days. After all, when people order Lantus from Canada, it takes several days (or more) to make it to the U.S. But if it's an open cartridge you might want to toss it in the event of an extended outage.
 
Don't know if Lantus is the same as Levemir but my order from Canada came to me in Florida WARM, the ice pack had melted. I contacted them requesting a refund b/c I didn't think they used enough freezer packs (1 small one in summer is not enough to go anywhere, let alone Florida). The pharmacist there called me and told me that Levemir does not need to be refrigerated until opened. Once opened it should be used within 42 days....that's what he told me. I only use for 30ish and then open a new one. That insulin did not go back from being warm...I'm on my third cartridge two months later.
 
I have friends who live in South Florida (Ft. Lauderdale) and have been hit with hurricanes several times and lost power for days at a time. After the first couple of times, they purchased a gas generator. That's the high price option, no doubt.

One other thought is to call a local pharmacy or a university hospital pharmacy or a 24-hour veterinary hospital and ask what they do in the event of an outage. They may have their own independent power source. In the event of this kind of emergency, it might be worth investigating whether they would be willing to store your insulin for you.
 
I live in FL and in 2004 we had numerous hurricanes (total of 5) and outages from 13 to 21 days. I kept my insulin in a cooler with ice in the bottom. Did not have a problem with the storage. When part of the neighborhood was restored a neighbor stored the insulin for me. Also, the less you open the fridge the better it is. But if you have snow, put some in plastic bags in a cooler perhaps that will help.
 
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We made it through two storms yesterday and kept the power after the initial breakdown. I will phone the vet and pharmacy tomorrow, when they are back to work, for other suggestions in the future. As I am in Atlantic Canada the storms right now are cold so if all else fails I will place them outside in a little cooler I have until I can get some of the other alternatives people suggested. My brother also lives about a mile from me and has a generator for his business which is in his home. He said that he would store it for me too.

Have a great day!
Cindy
 
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