Confused about insulin storage !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hazey276]

I, like all others who use insulin have purchased a Frio bag to keep my insulin cool during travel and until it is used. However, i glanced at the storage instructions on the leaflet and it states that my Levemir will last 6 weeks and Novorapid will last for 4 weeks at room temperature. So if you're going on a 2 week holiday why do you need to keep the insulin cold. Apologies if anyone thimks this is a stupid question but my wife asked the same thing and i couldn't answer her????? :? :? :?

Hazey

 

[cugila]

Usually when you are travelling the Insulin will be subject to varying temperatures depending on which mode of transport you use. The reason you need to keep it cool is because if subject to extremes, hot or cold, this will have a detrimental effect on the Insulin. Aircraft holds are usually unheated so the Insulin could freeze. Even the inside of a car can reach high temperature in hot countries, just recently a Can of Pop exploded because of the heat inside my car whilst it was parked in France !! Just imagine what it would do to your Insulin if it wasn't protected in the Frio bag ?

I use Byetta and when travelling even if only for a week have to be careful how it is stored. No more than 26 deg C. That is difficult to achieve sometimes.

Hope that helps.

Ken.

 

[hanadr]

Hazey
Insulin is a protein, you need to make sure it doesn't get hot enough to cook. If it freezes, the molecules might fracture.

 

[willogs]

I was told the same that if it gets to hot or too cold then it loses its effectiveness. I brought a frio pouch for a trip to portugal and thought it was very good. I will us it on days out at the moment too because I know how silly warm my handbag gets when I leave it in the sun.