storage of insulin pen

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sun

Member Since 2010
hi,

i read the info here and it 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).
Be careful your refrigerator is not so cold that the insulin freezes. Do NOT use Lantus or Levemir if it has been frozen.

i used to use the glass bottle of lantus, but since a few months ago, the vet clinic started to sell the insulin pen. vet assistants didn't say anything. just kept in refrigerator as before.
but then, i read this yesterday from lantus web site, stating, insulin pen should NOT be refrigerated after open.
http://www.lantus.com/currently-on-lantus/storage.aspx
quote --
"The LANTUS® SoloSTAR® pen should not be refrigerated once opened, but should be kept at room temperature (below 86°F) and must be thrown away after 28 days. "

i now keep them in the wine cabinet around 65F.

what should be the right way?

thx a lot.
anson
 
Ive always kept all insulin in the fridge. I believe the instructions you're reading are for humans that use the insulin much faster than out cats.
 
thx for your sharing.
do u also use insulin pen?
how cold is your fridge?

i also kept in it in the fridge when i was using the glass bottle. and in the web site, it says, it is needed to be kept in fridge.
however, for the insulin pen, it SHOULD not be after open.

so i am very confused and this was why i asked here.

i use the solostar pen.
also, i use one pen every 25 days to play safe.
my cat using 5 unit X 2 per day.
so in a way, so a 3m pen is for 30 days. so i simply don't use them all to play safe.

quote:
Vials of insulin can be refrigerated or kept at room temperature (no greater than 86°F) for 28 days after first use. The LANTUS® SoloSTAR® pen should not be refrigerated once opened, but should be kept at room temperature (below 86°F) and must be thrown away after 28 days.

JaniceandSpike said:
Ive always kept all insulin in the fridge. I believe the instructions you're reading are for humans that use the insulin much faster than out cats.
Click to expand...


Angela & Blackie & 8 Others said:
I, too, use the pen, and always store it in the fridge. I haven't had any problems.
Click to expand...
 
I've used the vial, and it lasted in the fridge since July 25, 2010, until the evening of November 14, 2010, when I noticed that her #'s were going up instead of down. There was only about a shot and a bit at the bottom of the vial, so it wasn't a total waste to throw it away. That's when I broke out the pen. From the evening of November 14, 2010 until present I'm currently using the same pen. It's currently about 2/3's empty.

My fridge is 40 degrees. I use a meat thermometer inserted into a baby food jar (Lord only knows where I got the jar in the first place as we don't have kids), which is inserted in one of the vegetable drawers at the bottom. The insulin is kept in a small, clean coffee container (Folger's classic, which is the red container), also in the same drawer with the thermometer. I check the thermometer when I open the drawer to get the insulin to make sure that the fridge is at a constant temperature.
 
yes, i read that info.
this is why i am confused when reading the manufacturer's web site which has a different view.

Blue said:
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
Click to expand...
 
i also used the vial before.
but now the clinic only sells pen.

and this is why i looked for the info and realize the manufactuere suggests different ways to deal with vial and pen.

pls read this link:
http://www.lantus.com/currently-on-lantus/storage.aspx
quote:
Vials of insulin can be refrigerated or kept at room temperature (no greater than 86°F) for 28 days after first use. The LANTUS® SoloSTAR® pen should not be refrigerated once opened, but should be kept at room temperature (below 86°F) and must be thrown away after 28 days.

Angela & Blackie & 8 Others said:
I've used the vial, and it lasted in the fridge since July 25, 2010, until the evening of November 14, 2010, when I noticed that her #'s were going up instead of down. There was only about a shot and a bit at the bottom of the vial, so it wasn't a total waste to throw it away. That's when I broke out the pen. From the evening of November 14, 2010 until present I'm currently using the same pen. It's currently about 2/3's empty.

My fridge is 40 degrees. I use a meat thermometer inserted into a baby food jar (Lord only knows where I got the jar in the first place as we don't have kids), which is inserted in one of the vegetable drawers at the bottom. The insulin is kept in a small, clean coffee container (Folger's classic, which is the red container), also in the same drawer with the thermometer. I check the thermometer when I open the drawer to get the insulin to make sure that the fridge is at a constant temperature.
Click to expand...
 
Anson,

I use the pen and have always kept it in the frig. I was confused also at first when I read the directions that came with the pens. To me it means that lantus can be unrefrigerated, but it is only good for 30 days. These pens are made so humans can take them where ever they go. They just dial it to the dose that is needed. They use it up faster than our cats will.

If kept in the fridge it will last longer. I get at least a couple of months on 1 pen if not more. When the #'s start to be higher I look to see when I opened the pen.


Hope this helps.

jan and sara
 
thx.

i use one pen in a month though. my cat uses 10unit per day. so it is more or less the same time "human' uses.

i will keep them in wine cabinet around 60F and not at room temperature to play safe then.

thx.

jan and sara said:
Anson,

I use the pen and have always kept it in the frig. I was confused also at first when I read the directions that came with the pens. To me it means that lantus can be unrefrigerated, but it is only good for 30 days. These pens are made so humans can take them where ever they go. They just dial it to the dose that is needed. They use it up faster than our cats will.

If kept in the fridge it will last longer. I get at least a couple of months on 1 pen if not more. When the #'s start to be higher I look to see when I opened the pen.


Hope this helps.

jan and sara
Click to expand...
 
The reason that the manufacturer recommends storing the pen at room temperature is that when humans use the pens, they use a pen needle that remains attached to the pen. When it is placed in the fridge, there is a risk of contamination from bacteria, AND the temperature fluctuations cause the pens to leak. If it is stored at room temperature, there is less fluctuation in temperature, so less likely to leak. Obviously, since we don't use the pen needles, this risk does not apply to our use.

I store all of my pens in the fridge. Yes, I use the Solostar pens.

Here's a link to a thread from the old board about how long the insulin lasts and storage recommendations. http://www.felinediabetes.com/phorum5/r ... sg-1906669
 
thx very much.
i understand it now.
i will keep it in the less cold part in the fridge.
and i will use for 25 days anyways (don't use the last 50unit), as i use 10 units per day.

thx again.
anson

Laurie and Mr Tinkles said:
The reason that the manufacturer recommends storing the pen at room temperature is that when humans use the pens, they use a pen needle that remains attached to the pen. When it is placed in the fridge, there is a risk of contamination from bacteria, AND the temperature fluctuations cause the pens to leak. If it is stored at room temperature, there is less fluctuation in temperature, so less likely to leak. Obviously, since we don't use the pen needles, this risk does not apply to our use.

I store all of my pens in the fridge. Yes, I use the Solostar pens.

Here's a link to a thread from the old board about how long the insulin lasts and storage recommendations. http://www.felinediabetes.com/phorum5/r ... sg-1906669
Click to expand...
 
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