What's the real scoop on refrigerating insulin?

[Sugar High]

We recently returned from a 3-day trip. I bought one of those insulated travel bags with the refreezable gel packs. On the way out, the gel pack was frozen solid. When we got to out hotel, the room had a frig but no freezer. So on the way home, the unopened pen was just in my carry on bag for about 6-7 hours. When we got home, I immediately put it back in the frig.

The instruction pamphlet says that pens must be used within 14 days after opening, but it does not say anything about if they are not refrigerated for a few hours.

http://pi.lilly.com/us/HUMULIN-N-KWIKPEN-IFU.pdf

Does anyone know if it is OK to re-refrigerate unopened pens after they have been out of the frig for a few hours?

I'd also like to know the answers to these questions:

1. Is it OK to inject insulin from a pen that has just been taken out of the frig and is still cold?
2. Does it make any difference if I keep the opened pen that I am currently using in the frig on in a drawer by my desk?

Thanks

 

[EllieM]

Well, I use reusable pens and just replace the cartridges, but I guess the same rules apply.

Is it OK to inject insulin from a pen that has just been taken out of the frig and is still cold?

I do that when I take a new cartridge out of the fridge, never had an issue. (Just make sure your fridge isn't too cold. Freezing insulin is a no-no.)

Does it make any difference if I keep the opened pen that I am currently using in the frig on in a drawer by my desk?

I've never bothered to keep my current pen in the fridge unless I'm in a very hot location (then I'll put my basal in the fridge.)
But I wouldn't trust a pen that had been left in a very hot location for a few hours (eg in a baking locked car in summer).

Does anyone know if it is OK to re-refrigerate unopened pens after they have been out of the frig for a few hours?

I've certainly forgotten to put my new insulin supplies in the fridge for a few hours (a day). Maybe try to make that pen the next one that you use?

Proviso, I'm not on humulin-N (I'm on humalog atm). As a teenager at university. still on animal insulin, I never kept my insulin in the fridge at all, as I didn't have a fridge. Maybe modern insulins are more fragile?

(And I've got to say that I can't see the point of having disposable pens rather than just disposable cartridges. Doesn't it just generate more plastic waste? Is this just a money making scheme for the drug manufacturers?)

 

[Tophat1900]

I keep mine in the fridge so it is not exposed to the hot temps of spring, summer and some degree of autumn. So it's just a heat avoidance thing for me.

 

[Deleted Account]

I keep my unopened insulin in the fridge and anything I am currently using out of the fridge.
Injecting insulin directly from the fridge can be painful.
I keep opened insulin out of direct sunlight and, if I am somewhere hot, I keep my insulin in Frio bags.
I have no experience of using freezable gel packs but would recommend ensuring any insulin is not directly next to them to avoid the insulin getting too cold.

When I go away, I always take twice as much insulin as I think I will need. As a result, I return with unopened insulin which has spent time out of the fridge. I take note of this insulin when I return it to the fridge and make sure it is the next that I use.
I have been following this regime for 15 years and never had a problem with insulin going "off" because it was in and out of the fridge.

 

[Deleted Account]

(And I've got to say that I can't see the point of having disposable pens rather than just disposable cartridges. Doesn't it just generate more plastic waste? Is this just a money making scheme for the drug manufacturers?)

Completely agree with you regarding reducing plastic waste.
However, I was very surprised to see an article suggesting GPs may be prescribing prefilled pens to save money.
Thankfully, my GP has not gone down this route: my fridge is for food and drink with a little space for insulin cartridges. Pens take up more space in the fridge ... and spares take up more space when travelling.

 

[Sugar High]

I keep my unopened insulin in the fridge and anything I am currently using out of the fridge.
Injecting insulin directly from the fridge can be painful.

I haven't had that experience. I couldn't tell any difference.

I keep opened insulin out of direct sunlight and, if I am somewhere hot, I keep my insulin in Frio bags.
I have no experience of using freezable gel packs but would recommend ensuring any insulin is not directly next to them to avoid the insulin getting too cold.

That's a good point, thanks.

When I go away, I always take twice as much insulin as I think I will need. As a result, I return with unopened insulin which has spent time out of the fridge. I take note of this insulin when I return it to the fridge and make sure it is the next that I use.
I have been following this regime for 15 years and never had a problem with insulin going "off" because it was in and out of the fridge.

That's basically what my diabetes nurse practitioner told me.