• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Insulin/Fridge

M

Mark Rawlinson

Well-Known Member
Messages
299
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
This is general curiosity, when you pick up your insulin from the pharmacy id there a period if time it can be kept out of the fridge when walking back a distance with it ?
Also is it kept in a refrigerated part of delivery vans when it leaves the manufacturer to getting it distribute out to all the Pharmacies ? I have often wondered
 
You can keep your insulin out of the fridge for a month. Many diabetics (including me) carry it just in their pocket or bag.
 
Mark Rawlinson said:
This is general curiosity, when you pick up your insulin from the pharmacy id there a period if time it can be kept out of the fridge when walking back a distance with it ?
Also is it kept in a refrigerated part of delivery vans when it leaves the manufacturer to getting it distribute out to all the Pharmacies ? I have often wondered
Click to expand...
It will be kept refrigerated when delivered, while you can leave it out of the fridge for a month (and probably quite a lot longer these days in truth), it's probably best to keep it as close to fridge temperatures as you can if you want to store it until its use-by date (and for it to retain efficacy).

I don't think walking home will cause it too much trouble unless you're walking for multiple days - at that point it'll still be ok, but I'd be hesitant to expect it to store for so long.
 
I’ve been carrying my insulin pen in my pocket for years dont seem to have had an6 issues, the insulin I’m not using I store in the fridge
 
That is what I mean, after I pick it up is there a limit to how long before it has to go back in the fridge apart from the one I am using that insn'y in the fridge because I am using it
 
Hi,

If I’m picking mine up on the way back from work in the van I’ll have the AC on so it don’t boil in the heat of summer. & I will put my pen in a Frio Wallet if it’s above 28degrees..
So long as you aren’t cooking it it, it should be fine to go back in the fridge..

How long is the walk back? @Mark Rawlinson .
 
Zhnyaka said:
You can keep your insulin out of the fridge for a month. Many diabetics (including me) carry it just in their pocket or bag.
Click to expand...
I get my insulin on a once per 3 month delivery, and they'll only hand it over in person because you have to promise to put it in the fridge right away once they take it out of the cooled compartiment of the delivery van.
 
Jaylee said:
Hi,

If I’m picking mine up on the way back from work in the van I’ll have the AC on so it don’t boil in the heat of summer. & I will put my pen in a Frio Wallet if it’s above 28degrees..
So long as you aren’t cooking it it, it should be fine to go back in the fridge..

How long is the walk back? @Mark Rawlinson .
Click to expand...
About 40 minutes but it wasn't for that reason it was in general some people ay have a long distances
 
Antje77 said:
I get my insulin on a once per 3 month delivery, and they'll only hand it over in person because you have to promise to put it in the fridge right away once they take it out of the cooled compartiment of the delivery van.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that I understand the reason behind that
 
Mark Rawlinson said:
About 40 minutes but it wasn't for that reason it was in general some people ay have a long distances
Click to expand...
To my thinking it's ot much different from buying meat or dairy, which can go off if it's too warm for too long, insulin is a protein after all.

A 40 minute commute wouldn't worry me, except for during a heat wave. In which case I'd use an insulated bag with ice packs put in a sock or so to prevent the insulin from freezing.
 
If you’re really concerned @Mark Rawlinson .
You could try something like a sandwich cool bag or Frio wallet (larger size.) for the insulin.
But with the weather currently cooling down. I don’t feel 40 minutes will matter…
 
Antje77 said:
To my thinking it's ot much different from buying meat or dairy, which can go off if it's too warm for too long, insulin is a protein after all.

A 40 minute commute wouldn't worry me, except for during a heat wave. In which case I'd use an insulated bag with ice packs put in a sock or so to prevent the insulin from freezing.
Click to expand...
Thank you, yes a very good analogy it makes sense. I am not worried about it just that it crossed my mind and yesterday someone asked me the same thing.
 
I get my prescription delivered via a delivery service and although they do put them wrapped in “cool” pouches they take 24 hours to deliver and sometimes they’re not delivered in the first instance if I’m not at home so they can be without refrigeration for a few days at a time. I’ve never had issues with my insulin and once I start to use a vial I don’t put it back in the fridge unless there’s a heatwave and it can last me around 2 weeks before it’s empty.
 
Back
Top