power outages/insulin

[carolynandlatte]

Anyone know how long lantus and lev can sit in the fridge during a power outage w/o being affected? Its been about an hr so far. Who knows how long it will be out...big winter storm here. I can bring it to someone elses house, but rather not jump the gun OR Go out driving in this stuff.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I do not think anyone knows the real answer. The Lantus is good for 30 (or 28) days without refrigeration. Since you have a winter storm you might not have a difficulty finding a place with a temp of 35-45F. Summer storms are more challenging. This summer I placed my insulin in a cooler with ice packs (keep them from direct contact to prevent freezing) after I lost power for about four hours and there was no indication of when power would come back. Power was out about twelve hours.

 

[Karen & Smokey(GA)]

If you think it will be a long time, put ice in a small container, like a tupperware with
lid. Then wrap the container in layers of newspaper, which acts as very good insulation.

If you run out of ice, you might have snow outside which can be used.

Do not let the vial directly touch the ice or snow.

Sometimes, you can put things outside, if the temp is above freezing but below about
45-degrees. In the shade only, not in direct sunlight.

I always keep a few of those small blue-ice packs in the freezer. You can quickly
set up a temporary small ice chest with those.

It's good to have a freezer thermometer that you can put inside to check the temp.

 

[carolynandlatte]

Power will be out until at least tomorrow night. I can't find my cooler, so just got back from the store w/ a styrofoam one. Will pack it as if I'm mailing it, but stuff it with snow instead of ice.

Thanks.

 

[squeem3]

Maybe in the future you can use these ice packs in a cooler : http://nordicice.net/nordicice.php The ice packs last a long time. Amazon.com sells them: http://www.amazon.com/Philly-Food-24oz- ... 746&sr=8-4 Or you can buy them for less from one of these place: http://www.google.com/#q=nordic+ice+pac ... dd827ab059 I have one but don't remember where it came from. It was probably shipped with some food items.

 

[Anonymous]

carolyn, why not let the weather work for you. wrap the insuling in a small towel or wash clothe and put in a plastic sealed bag and put it safely outside. the clothe should keep it from freezing and the bag keep it dry. are overnight temps below 30 degree's?
i think that would be ok.

 

[WCF and Meowzi]

carolyn, why not let the weather work for you. wrap the insuling in a small towel or wash clothe and put in a plastic sealed bag and put it safely outside. the clothe should keep it from freezing and the bag keep it dry. are overnight temps below 30 degree's?
i think that would be ok.

no, don't leave it outside. accuweather says MN's low for tonight is 30°. the LL sticky says "In-use and unopened Lantus and Levemir should be stored in the refrigerator between 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degrees C)."

same here http://products.sanofi-aventis.us/lantu ... ction-15.2
http://www.novonordiskcare.com/download ... mation.pdf

 

[Anonymous]

eeks! ok, well maybe during the day?
just thought it's like a refrigerator out there and she mine as well use it.