Solostar-Don't Store Used Pens in Frig?

[jangell2]

Ok, I know the usage guidelines say here that:

In-use and unopened Lantus and Levemir should be stored in the refrigerator between 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degrees C).

I just picked up my first box of Solostar pens and right on the box it says:

Solostar Pens in use must not be stored in the refrigerator.

I know there's a lot of experience here and you are storing your in-use pens in the frig. However, I'd like to confirm that this is ok, regardless of the package. Just to get a warm and fuzzy about it.

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

absolutely - in the frig. odd that i never read that on the box, so went and looked, and sure enough that is what it says. I cannot imagine why you would not refrigerate the insulin.... this is beyond my comprehension. And I wonder what I am missing... anyways - my insulin/pens, etc.: in the frig.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Monique wrote about this in someone else's condo some time ago. I believe she noted that when Lantus and Levemir were developed, one of the advantages was that they did not require refrigeration. This meant that travel, especially for human diabetics, became far less complicated. One of the reasons we store it in the refrigerator is that cats typically use far less insulin than a human. As a result, many people are able to get longer than the 28 days that is the shelf-life that the manufacturer recommends once a pen or vial is opened.

 

[Dyana]

I keep all my insulin in the frig. I think Jojo once told me when I was going on vacation and was worried about getting up at 4:00am at my parents house to get the insulin out of the refrigerator (and waking them up), that I didn't have to refrigerate it, but the insulin wouldn't last as long unrefrigerated.
I posted the same time as Sienne :roll:

 

[Monique & Spooky]

Yup what it says is unopened unsed pens must be refridgerated (then they are good until expiration date-about 2 years) In-use pens should not be stored in the refridgerator (when you use the pen needles) but.....it is ok to store them in the fridge and doing so will prolong the life of them. Pens stored at room temp regardless of in-use or not are only good for about 1 month. So best is to store in the fridge. If you don't then you will be wasting alot more insulin (and $) They should NEVER be stored near direct heat or sunlight (certain death :twisted: ). Humans find the fact that they can be left unrefridgerated quite convenient (in the "old" days it was a real PIA to go on vacation and have to take a cooler for your insulin) the pens fit nicely into a purse or pocket. I did however read on a human forum that one long time diabetic lady still kept her pens in the fridge because it was just habit and she always knew that way where it was.

A few people here keep them at room temp, mostly because they have cats that are on high doses (10 units or more each shot) so they use all the insulin in a month anyway. In addition injecting a larger amnount of cold liquid is somewhat uncomfortable so having it warm saves time rather than in the past (with other insulins that had to be cold) people had to draw the syringe and then warm the insulin by holding it in thier hands for several minutes first. The small doses most of us inject reach room temp by the time we have drawn the dose caught the cat and are ready to shoot so it's a non-issue.

 

[jangell2]

Ok, I have acquired the warm and fuzzy. Thank you.

Since this topic is kinda sorta about handling the insulin, I have another question. When we first starting using insulin for Tahoe (humulin u, I think) and then on the vetsulin, both had to be gently agitated to distribute the insulin particles. Lantus does not need this, I know. At the time I was told to draw the insulin up and promptly inject it. How prompt must I be with Lantus after drawing it into the syringe? I don't plan on leaving it in the syringe for a long period, but I am curious to know how quickly I need to do it.

 

[Monique & Spooky]

You don't have to rush. I wouldn't leave it sitting for hours but I doubt it takes much more than 10-15 minutes (probably less) to to do the whole routine, and that's definatly ok. Over an hour might be to long, but truth is we don't know. I have used insulin that sat out in the syringe for half an hour or so (got a phone call or something and was interuped) it seemed to be fine that was my experience, I guess we really don't know until it happens then we get "smarter" :mrgreen: Don't feel you need to work at split second speed here it's not that high stress!

 

[jangell2]

You don't have to rush...Don't feel you need to work at split second speed here it's not that high stress!

Thank you. Even with the vetsulin, once drawing it up, I would take up to 3-4 minutes to administer it. I have two cats that I medicate at that time, Mr. Wiggles who has mega-colon and Tahoe and her Insulin.

For those who don't know, mega-colon means you have a colon that's THIS BIG and a butt-hole that's this big. He tends to get constipated. We used to give him a veterinary laxative but it didn't do the job well enough. Now he get's a very small dose of Go-Litely mixed in water twice a day. Those you who have had a colonoscapy, probably know go-litely. Don't worry, it's a small dose and Mr. Wiggles likes it.

Anyway, I prepare Mr. Wiggles' treat, draw the insulin, give Mr. Wiggles his treat, and then inject Tahoe. I'll continue to do that with the Lantus.