Temperature Of Lantus Question

[Angela & Blackie & 3 Others]

I just received a small thing of Lantus in the mail today (which we paid for), and I didn't notice that the package was outside until just now. The insulin was wrapped in a cold pack, and it was overnighted to me from Houston. The meat thermometer that I laid on the cold pack reads 80 degrees. There's no telling how long that insulin, which was wrapped in the cold pack inside a cardboard box, has been in the outside temperature before I found it. It's now in the refrigerator.

Is it going to be good still?

 

[Barb & Checkers (GA)]

Angela, that would concern me too. Others who know these things will be on soon, to help.

 

[Angela & Blackie & 3 Others]

We can't afford to purchase another one, and as it was, it was affordable and within our means. We can't lose it.

 

[kate and lucky]

Insulin shold be kept betwen 2-8 centigrade /36-46 fahrenheit
People have left insulin outside the fridge before and it's been ok. I think the only way your going to know (if you can't put a case against whoever you bought it off) is by using it. If it doesn't have an impact on numbers then it's toast.Hope not.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR INSULIN IS NO LONGER GOOD?


•When you lose regulation for no reason.
•If you see any hint of "floaties"/"tiny particles"... discard the insulin.
•If insulin is cloudy or discolored, or if rubber stopper is cracked... replace insulin immediately.
•The manufacturer of Lantus recommends discarding the insulin after 28 days of use.
However, many Lantus users have been able to use a vial/cartridge/pen for as long as six months.
•The manufacturer of Levemir recommends discarding the insulin after 42 days of use.
Many Levemir users have been able to use a vial/pen for six months. However, many Levemir FlexPen users do toss the pen when the insulin gets down to about the "12" mark on the FlexPen.

This is the full sticky info
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
For future rference it's at the top of the page.

Paws crossed

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

wish i could help, but i don't know the answer.
the sanofi-adventis web site does say opened solostar pens can be kept at room temperature less than 86 degrees away from direct heat and light.
i would check the pen carefully for the usual: discoloration/cloudiness or floaties. if it looks ok, i'd be tempted to try it.
over the next few days, blackie's numbers may indicate if the insulin has been compromised.

you could always call and ask:

sanofi-aventis U.S.
55 Corporate Drive
Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Tel: 1-800-981-2491

 

[Angela & Blackie & 3 Others]

It's like a very narrow vial of insulin with a very small opening. I'm pretty sure that it's the cartridge. Dont' think it's the pen.

As far as I can tell it's very clear, no particulates in it, AND it's still in it's own cellophane type of wrap, which hasn't been opened.

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

sanofi-adventis says the same thing about lantus cartridges (as far as temp goes)...
opened cartridges can be kept at room temperature less than 86 degrees away from direct heat and light.

 

[Angela & Blackie & 3 Others]

The cold pack that the cartridge was wrapped in tested at 80 degrees, and it was away from light since the cartridge was wrapped in the cold pack (which had gotten warm by the time I got to it), then placed in a cardboard box. The cartridge is also still in it's original wrapping (one of those cellophane type of packages where you pull a tab to open it to get the cartridge out of the wrapping... I hope that makes sense).