It's hot. I live in an un-air conditioned house. Downstairs thermostat reading 81 today, read 83 yesterday, although I have no idea if it is accurate. Last month I had to toss two half-used Lantus and Novolog pens during a particularly hot stretch because the insulin seemed to have become unstable. Any suggestions for storage? Just keep it in the refrigerator along with the unopened insulin?
The fridge might very well work, although apparently one is not advised to put on opened pen into one. I was recently advised here on TuD to use Frios (you can get a good deal here on TuD for purchasing them). I went on a trailer camping trip where the temperature went way up and way down, and my new Frio worked to keep my opened Apidra vial and opened pen stable. I've forgotten the exact temp of the Frio, something like 76 or 78 degrees F.
Oo, good to know. Had never heard of Frios. Thanks very much!
The claim frio makes that t will keep insulin below 75 is pretty dubious. In situations of normal relative humidity I really only think one could expect it to keep its contents a few degrees cooler than ambient temperature. I’ve studied meteorology so have a firm grasp on how they work to keep their contents cool. They are good for some situations but in a hot house I’d just put them in fridge or in a cooler with enough ice to keep cool
You can keep opened pens in the fridge. Don't put on a door shelf because they get shaken up. I've used Frios in blistering heat traveling in Greece, Turkey & Italy. Frios work by evaporation. Can't say the temp, but vials feel quite cool & I've never had a problem. Used them for years. Portable & are recharged with water.
Exactly… They work by evaporation, so in 100% relative humidity (which is not uncommon many places) there Is zero evaporation so they do absolutely nothing, whereas in an environment with minimal relative humidity they are quite effective
I use frios too. I always keep my pens in them, even in the winter. They seem to help- I haven't thrown any insulin out since using them. I sometimes put my pens in the fridge when I'm rejuvenating the frio and I keep the symlin in the fridge all the time.
I've used frios in temperatures over 100 deg F. They work by evaporation and are both effective and durable. They do work, I've measured the temperature and they work as claimed. The only situation where the frio starts to fail is if the frio is sealed in a container (like a bag), is left out in the direct sun or in areas saturated humidity as Sam noted. Both Lantus and Novolog claim that they can be stored (once open) for 28 days in temperatures lower than 86 deg F. So actually the temperatures you note should still be safe. Another thing to remember is that in addition to avoiding too much shaking, insulin should always be kept out of the light as light degrades it.