Storage

[davect]

It's been so long since I've been to the FDMB I was very surprised to see the new board!

I just read the topic about storing Lantus. Interestingly, the instructions accompanying my prescription are opposite. I quote the prescription:

Refrigerate unopened bottle. May store at room temperature after opening.

That certainly seems like very bad advice! I'm refilling this today so I will ask the pharmacist what's up with that. :roll:

Meanwhile, Andy continues to do OK. 14 years old and diabetic for 7 of those years. Not bad for an old fart. :lol:

 

[Mindy & Max]

Because human consumption of Lantus insulin is higher, and the vials are used faster (like maybe within a week?), it doesn't need to be stored in the fridge for that purpose. Since we all use tiny doses in comparison for our cats, you do need to refrigerate it so that it doesn't go bad. A refrigerated vial of Lantus can last up to 6 months, tho many report seeing a decline in effectiveness before that point, and the manufacturer states to discard an open vial 28 days after opening.

 

[Lydia--(Rosie & Basil) GA]

Hi,
I tried doing a little reading around the internet (can be dangerous!) about some of the whys of storage. Cold insulin stings and since, as Mindy said, people use bigger doses and thus empty the container faster, I guess it can be okay for people to store outside the refrig after opening. We used the bottle, not the vials meant for the pens, for Basil. We used only the one bottle from the end of October through early March when he went OTJ, but were very careful with the storage. Kept it in the fridge with a foam wrapper. I think results can vary greatly depending upon how you store it and upon how it was handled and stored before it ever got to you.

 

[Blue]

To my way of seeing things - the pharmacy keep the insulin in a frig and so will I.
I do use a frig thermometer and make sure it stays within a proper range.

 

[Maria & Suzie]

I keep mine in the fridge too - advise from both the vet & the pharmacist.

Am wondering though - are you supposed to let it warm up a bit before injecting into the cat?

I mean, the dose is so small, so maybe it does not make a difference to the cat?

Also, if you let the insulin go to room temp and then back to fridge temp twice a day, does that affect the insulin in anyway?

it might not make a diff... just wondering....

Maria & Suzie

 

[Monique & Spooky]

Maria,

Correct the small amount that we give our cats reaches room temp by the time we are finished fumbleing with and actually inject it. My vet did recommend holding the syringe between my fingers for a 30 sec. or so first to make it warm.

I don't think the warming that occurs when you are preparing the insulin syringe is "bad" for the insulin, but I would try to keep it out of the fridge for as short a time as possible. I usually prepared my syringe then put the insulin pen back in the fridge, then I gave the shot. Leaving it out for 30 minutes or more 2x per day is probably not so wise.

 

[Lydia--(Rosie & Basil) GA]

I agree. I'm not an expert, but warming and recooling is generally not a good idea for anything that responds to temperature. However, in the little bit if time it takes to draw insulin, I don't think there is any need to worry. If you want to warm it, I think the important thing is warm the syringe, not the vial. I know, that sounds funny even to say, but at least one person was warming the vial each time she drew, and THAT can't be good!