When to replace insulin vial?

[MaryB & Chester]

We started this vial of Insulin back on December 15 of last year.
It still looks good - clear, no clouding or floaties. It's been refrigrated the whole time and hasn't been frozen at all.
Do you think it's still good, or is it time for us to get a new vial?

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

Are you hometesting? Usually you can tell when the insulin is starting to lose its effectiveness when start to see an increase in bg readings. Usually a vial starts to lose its punch around 3 months but some have been able to use it for 6 months or so before it needs to be replaced.

Please read my post from today about new insulin vial/pen warning. When you change to a new vial, you need to monitor your cat for a few days since the new one will be stronger than the one you were using.

 

[MaryB & Chester]

That would be a lot easier to tell if Chester had ever given us good, steady numbers...

 

[Wendy&Tiggy(GA)]

Can you do a curve? Or at least get a couple of midcycle tests to see how low he is going? That will tell you if it's working or not..

I would do it anyway, he is bouncing pretty high and I find myself wondering how low he is going.

Are you testing for ketones? Also how are his 5Ps?

 

[grapey]

My vials of Lantus have only lasted about five months max. I need to see if I can find a pharmacy that will sell me a single pen.

 

[MaryB & Chester]

The vet actually just called to remind me to get a new vial. I'll do a curve after we get the new insulin.