Q about storing Levemir

[Doug N Libby]

I thought all insulin was supposed to be kept refrigerated to extend the life. I was just reading the insert that came with our Levemir FlexPen.

"Levemir in use:

Keep at room temperature below 86 F for up to 42 days
Do not store a Levemir FlexPen that you are using the refrigerator"

Did I misunderstand something and need to remove the current pen from the fridge?

Thanks!

Libby (and Hershey, too!)

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

hi libby. i'm on the run so i have to make this quick. yes, keep your insulin in the refrigerator. the insulin will last much longer if kept in the fridge. the pen i'm using now has been open for 76 days and still going strong. more information can be found here: STICKY: LANTUS & LEVEMIR - INFO, PROPER HANDLING, & STORAGE.

hershey's looking good! expected to see a bounce. no biggie. it'll clear.
am working today, but will be back later to see how things are going...

 

[Doug N Libby]

Thanks, Jill. I thought that's what I understood until I read the literature from the pharmacist. Wonder why they say not to refrigerate it...Anyhoo - ours is in the fridge. Wow - 76 days and going strong? That's encouraging!

Hope you're having a good day at work and not too sleepy from someone keeping you up last night -

Libby (and Hershey, too!)

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

the pens were designed for people on the go. they can just stick them in their pocket or purse. refrigeration isn't necessary, but it shortens the life of unopened pens.

a few years ago i called sanofi-aventis to ask them why the lantus solostar pens were not to be refrigerated. they told me refrigeration would contract the plastic pieces which makeup the pen. if the plastic contracts there's the possibility that the dose measured when using the pen needles designed to fit the pen would measure a dose inaccurately. since we use syringes to draw insulin doses, we don't have to worry about the mechanism of the pen.

i'm dragging a little, but managing pretty well.