My problem is I ride with my hubby a lot…he is a locksmith…sometimes we get busy and it ends up dinner time and my insulin is home…so I end up eating late and go low.sure wish there was a easy way to carry it…I have the tiny mini-refrigerator that plugs into car…It holds up to I think it is 5 vials…but for sure if I take that we don’t need it…I’m thinking I should just carry it when I go off all the time…What do you think ? It sure is a neat little thing…The Addy below shows what it is…
Insulin doesn’t have to be refrigerated. An open vial can stay at room temperature for a month. When I was on MDI, I just had my insulin and a syringe in my meter case. As long as you don’t leave the insulin in a hot vehicle or in the sun, you don’t need to go to the trouble of refrigerating it. The other alternative would be a Frio wallet. I know plenty of folks use those.
Here’s a link to CWD with a list of different carrying cases, some designed to keep insulin cool, The Frio wallet is listed there.
My drug store and doctor said it did… wonder why they say refrigerate ?
Stored insulin has to be. I keep all the bottles I’m not using in the fridge. I keep my open bottle in my desk drawer or I’ll keep it in the fridge during the summer. If you open a bottle, you can leave it at room temp for one month. Whatever unopened bottles you have, keep in the fridge.
I use the Novolog pen and the instructions indicate that only unopened pens need to be refrigerated, opened pens will keep for about 28 days.
I do keep the Novolog and my Levemir refrigerated over night but was told you don’t have to.
I use needles as my insulin comes in vials…I use Novolin 70/30 mix…Is it the same…Needs no refrigeration after opening ?
I use needles as my insulin comes in vials…I use Novolin 70/30 mix…Is it the same…Needs no refrigeration after opening ?
exactly. once opened, vials or cartridges do not need to be refrigerated.
Hey Charlene,
If you would feel better keeping your insulin refrigerated or cool it isn’t a problem. I carry mine in a little insulted lunch bag with a frozen cool pouch in there as well. I do that because it fits in there without having to add somethng else and because if I am going to be out for the day I carry some snacks or a meal for me in there too. I also add a drink to keep cool as well. I use vials and syringes too. And I especailly like having the lunch bag along because i like the special things i pack for me to use so I don’t have to go around looking for stuff for me to eat when I am ready. Anything you do to make your life easier is fine. My doc prefers my insulin be refrigerated too , but really either way is okay.
A note" Any lunch bag or anything is fine to use. My grandkids came up with a really wild one for me and I have fun just packing it up.
I use Frio bags to keep insulin cool when I travel. Basically, it is a reusable bean bag that stays cool when soaked in water (which causes the beans to form a gel). It’s basically like a reusable ice pack that is cool enough for storing insulin. I have had mine for 4 years and it’s still working GREAT! I highly recommend these!
Once the insulin is opened, it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, but I like these FRIO wallets and use them often!
i found these instructions for Storing Novolin 70/30 …
To store this medicine:
Unopened bottles of insulin should be refrigerated until needed and may be used until the printed expiration date on the label. Insulin should never be frozen. Remove the insulin from the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature before injecting it.
An insulin bottle in use may be kept at room temperature for up to 1 month. Insulin that has been kept at room temperature for longer than a month should be thrown away.
Storing prefilled syringes in the refrigerator with the needle pointed up reduces problems that can occur, such as crystals forming in the needle and blocking it up.
Do not expose insulin to extremely hot temperatures or to sunlight. Extreme heat will cause insulin to become less effective much more quickly.