Insulin

Type 1 and LADA
1

I am not on the board much. I am wondering if there are any trials in the works for insulin that have a greater than 30-day expiration date? This would be an advantage for the patient rather than the pharmaceutical company. I’m wondering if it’s the nature of insulin to only have a shelf-life (or a once opened) life of a month or so.

I find I am throwing out vials especially with long-acting Lantus that are over 30 days old and are 2/3 full. It seems like such a waste. I have been told that insulin loses its potency after 30 days.

Anybody have any knowledge or thoughts on this.

thank you.

2

Yes, forget about what you have been told and test it out for yourself. I am no longer on Lantus or Levemir because it was causing me constant nighttime low blood sugar. For a few years I was on 8 units a day so I was getting about 35 days (with needle prime) and then dropped to 6 units per day with prime and getting 50 days and then kept slowly dropping dose until no longer used (300ml vials). For me, I had full potency for 90 days as I kept dropping dose. It was never a problem.

If you live in a super hot climate, the time might be slightly less. Do a test and I am sure that you will find that you can use the entire vial before it loses potency.

3

My insulin say 2 weeks but I use it longer.
You can check trials at clinical trials.gov

4

I have used Humalog well over a year past the expiration date (vials, not pens). I have used Fiasp vials and Tresiba pens six months past expiration date. I always keep them refrigerated.

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5

I used to keep Lantus in the refrigerator opened for long periods of time and never had an issue with it not working. Same thing with Humalog opened for months in the refrigerator.

But I have always kept it in the refrigerator when opened when I know it’s going to be over 30 days.

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6

@ame_e you could also explore kwikpens and smaller vials as an option too. The insulin mfrs make vials as small as 1ml for the hospitals, and kwikpens are 300 units each but will last +45 days each once deployed

7

I have used Humalog and Novolog and I always used for more that 30 days. I keep in refrigerator.

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8

I have always ordered a three month supply (9 vials) of Novalog and then Fiasp which usually lasts for 3.5 to 4 months which I keep refrigerated with no issues. The via. In use is not refrigerated.

9

In the summer, I often use frio which keeps them cold enough in my pockets, I remember reading 60 days for pens, but keeping them cooler at all times probably helps

10

You might want to try Humalog Kwikpen Junior. The doses are 1/2 unit. I use 1 pen for approx. 45 days.

11

Thanks. These are great suggestions. I don’t know if my insurance covers Kwikpens… but worth noting.

A.

12

“Tresiba lasts 8 weeks once opened - twice as long as other long acting insulins which last only 4 weeks”. Taking Tresiba® for Diabetes | Tresiba® (insulin degludec) injection 100 Units/mL, 200 Units/mL