Insulin/Fridge

[Mark Rawlinson]

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

 

[Zhnyaka]

You can keep your insulin out of the fridge for a month. Many diabetics (including me) carry it just in their pocket or bag.

 

[SimonP78]

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

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.

 

[Ushthetaff]

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

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

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

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

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

 

[Jaylee]

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 .

 

[Antje77]

You can keep your insulin out of the fridge for a month. Many diabetics (including me) carry it just in their pocket or bag.

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.

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

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 .

About 40 minutes but it wasn't for that reason it was in general some people ay have a long distances

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

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.

Thank you for that I understand the reason behind that

 

[Antje77]

About 40 minutes but it wasn't for that reason it was in general some people ay have a long distances

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.

 

[Jaylee]

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…

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

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.

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.

 

[Nicola M]

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.

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

I have just picked up my next batch of Trujeo and noticed they got it off the shelf not fridge, I asked the pharmacist whey and was told it can last 6 weeks out of the fridge before use OK that is not what the manufacturers say nor Dr and DN, to make it worse the pharmacist said will you be opening it before 10.10.25 ? Yes
when i looked at the label is said to be opened before 10/10/25 then I realised ONE pen will b 2 won't so I took it back explaining to the pharmacist about this "oh most people use one pen a week" !!!
Just give me a new box from your fridge please
sorted

 

[becca59]

I have just picked up my next batch of Trujeo and noticed they got it off the shelf not fridge, I asked the pharmacist whey and was told it can last 6 weeks out of the fridge before use OK that is not what the manufacturers say nor Dr and DN, to make it worse the pharmacist said will you be opening it before 10.10.25 ? Yes
when i looked at the label is said to be opened before 10/10/25 then I realised ONE pen will b 2 won't so I took it back explaining to the pharmacist about this "oh most people use one pen a week" !!!
Just give me a new box from your fridge please
sorted

Very poor practise. Would be no good for me. I pick up a new box with five Tresiba in at a time in. Each vial lasts four weeks when I then dispose of due to poor efficacy. Yes they can be kept out of the fridge, but only if in use. Each of my Fiasp lasts two weeks.

 

[Antje77]

Very poor practise. Would be no good for me.

Agree. I get pens with a use by date over a year away. A pharmacist storing unrefrigerated would change that use by date to only a month away.

I get my insulin delivered 4 times a year, so unrefrigerated storage could have serious consequenses.

 

[SimonP78]

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

It's an interesting question to which we don't have an answer - the manufacturers will have had to run tests looking at efficacy vs cumulative temperature exposure (both the temperature and the duration) though whether any of that data is available to the rest of us I don't know, I've never looked, though I am now interested - with the advent of cheap and cheerful temperature loggers it would potentially be much easier to judge "remaining life/efficacy" using that data.

There is also the slight additional problem that batches of insulin can vary too even if kept in pristine condition.

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

hVery poor practise. Would be no good for me. I pick up a new box with five Tresiba in at a time in. Each vial lasts four weeks when I then dispose of due to poor efficacy. Yes they can be kept out of the fridge, but only if in use. Each of my Fiasp lasts two weeks.

Mine are Trujeo and Trurapi, it really is impossible for each person to give how long they las it all depends on how much
they use. I honestly believe they were trying to give me some nearby out of date stuff or some they had forgot to refrigerate a the box date was 2027
I also will say it is a very busy supermarket Pharmacy
Best go as a clue