Quick Answer: While re-refrigerating insulin after opening is a bit of a grey area among the experts, if it's sweltering in your house, say above 25°C, and you've got no other choice to keep it cool, putting insulin back in your fridge is probably your safest move.
Few things are more frustrating for someone with diabetes than losing an entire vial or pen of insulin because it became too warm or was left out of the fridge for too long. A crucial element of managing your diabetes effectively is understanding how to store insulin correctly, particularly its sensitivity to heat and temperature fluctuations.
Insulin must be stored in the fridge to ensure it remains potent until its first use. Once you've opened it, though, the guidelines change slightly: you can keep your insulin vials or pens at room temperature for a few days or weeks depending on the brand, as long as they are shielded from excessive heat and light.
A common question among insulin users in the UK is whether you can re-refrigerate your insulin after it has been stored at room temperature for a period. Let's explore the answer to that query!
Related article: Does Insulin Need to be Refrigerated? Essential Storage Tips!
Can Insulin Be Re-Refrigerated?
Putting insulin back in the fridge after it's been out and about? Well, it's a bit of a grey area among the experts. Some say it's fine, others suggest treading carefully due to the potential for the insulin to react poorly to big temperature swings.
Here's the deal: if it's sweltering in your house, say above 25°C, and you've not got a specialised insulin cooler, popping your insulin back in the fridge is probably your safest bet to keep it working properly.
But remember, doing this won't magically extend its use-by date. Once you've opened your insulin or taken it out of the fridge for the first time, you've got about a month to use it, whether you store it back in the fridge or keep it at room temperature.
Related article: How to Travel With Insulin That Needs Refrigeration or Cooling!
How Long Can Insulin Be Unrefrigerated?
Once removed from refrigeration, insulin can generally be kept at room temperature for up to a month.
This duration varies slightly between different brands and types of insulin, usually between 7 days to 56 days. For instance:
- Lantus, Novolog, Humalog, Apidra, Basaglar, Fiasp, Admelog, NovoRapid, Lyumjev, NovoMix and Semglee can be unrefrigerated for up to 28 days.
- Humulin N, Humulin R and Humulin 70/30 can be unrefrigerated for up to 31 days.
- Novolin N, Novolin R, Toujeo, can be unrefrigerated for up to 42 days.
- Tresiba can be unrefrigerated for up to 56 days.
Always check the storage instructions provided with the specific brand and type of insulin you've been prescribed.
Even when insulin is unrefrigerated, temperature control is still crucial. In no case should insulin be exposed to temperatures above 25°C, even briefly. Higher temperatures can quickly degrade its potency.
Related article: Can Insulin Go Bad? How To Tell And Symptoms To Monitor for Safety.
So, Should You Put Your Insulin Back in the Fridge After Opening?
The bottom line is that yes, you can return your insulin to the refrigerator if necessary, although it's not always the best move.
Here are a few considerations to figure out when it's okay to chill your insulin again and how to store it smartly. Remember, these are just general tips, so it's always best to check the instructions that come with your particular type of insulin.
- You can keep your insulin refrigerated at all times. If you chose to do so, only take insulin out of the fridge when you're ready to use it. While injecting cold insulin straight from the fridge can be slightly more painful, it is as effective as room-temperature insulin.
- Or you can keep your insulin at room temperature once opened. Make sure it's never exposed to direct light or temperatures above 25°C and it's used within about a month.
- If necessary, you can re-refrigerate your insulin. If your room temperature is higher than recommended, or you lack an insulin cooling case to keep it cool, putting insulin back in the fridge can help maintain its effectiveness. However, remember that this does not extend its shelf life beyond the standard 28 days or the duration specified by the brand.
- Check expiry dates: Always keep an eye on the expiration date on your insulin packaging, regardless of how you store it. Expired insulin is a no-go.
Always follow storage guidelines specific to the type of insulin you use, and consult with a healthcare professional or a pharmacist if you have any concerns about your insulin storage or effectiveness.
Related article: How to Pack Insulin for Travel: Keep it Cool, Safe, and Legal!
We'd Love to Hear Your Thought!
Have Any Insulin Storage Tips or Questions? We're all ears! Whether you've got handy tips, burning questions, or just want to share your experiences with managing insulin storage, feel free to drop us a comment below. We love hearing from you and learning together!
