Quick Answer: Insulin needs to be refrigerated before use. Once opened, it can generally stay out of the fridge for a month, but never exposed to temperatures above 25°C. Always consult the specific storage guidelines provided by your insulin's manufacturer to ensure optimal efficacy and safety.
Insulin is a life-saving injection for individuals with diabetes, yet managing its storage requirements often proves challenging. Research indicates a significant lack of awareness among diabetic patients in the UK regarding the proper storage of their insulin.
Improperly stored insulin, especially if left unrefrigerated too long or exposed to heat, may lose its efficacy, leading to uncontrolled blood sugar levels and severe health complications over time.
This comprehensive guide aims to address your queries regarding insulin refrigeration and storage:
- When is refrigeration necessary for insulin, and when can it remain at room temperature?
- What are the consequences of failing to refrigerate insulin?
- How long is insulin good outside the fridge?
- What are the best storage practices for insulin?
- Additional insights and considerations.
Related article: How to Travel With Insulin That Needs Refrigeration or Cooling.
Does Insulin Require Refrigeration Before Use?
Insulin, irrespective of its type, brand, or container, requires refrigeration prior to its initial use. Whether you utilize insulin brands such as Lantus, Novolog, Humalog, whether it's basal or bolus insulin, it is imperative to store insulin pens, vials, and cartridges in the refrigerator.
The ideal temperature for storing insulin before opening is between 2°C and 8°C. It is crucial to avoid setting your fridge too low, below 2°C, as this could cause your insulin to freeze, rendering it ineffective.
Regular monitoring of your fridge's temperature is recommended. Employing a smart thermometer can assist in maintaining the correct temperature, alerting you to any temperature deviations that may occur, such as during a power outage, ensuring your stock of unopened insulin is consistently refrigerated at the optimal temperature.
If you're more of a visual learner, have a look at this useful video on insulin refrigeration:
Why does insulin have to be refrigerated?
Insulin, along with other diabetes injections like Mounjaro, Ozempic, Trulicity, Victoza, or Byetta, is a biologic medicine-derived from living organisms and highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, heat, and light. Insulin refrigeration is essential for:
- Preserving Potency: Insulin is a protein susceptible to breakdown when exposed to heat. Refrigerated storage helps maintain its molecular structure and prevents degradation, thus ensuring effective blood glucose regulation.
- Extending Shelf Life: Refrigerated insulin retains its potency up until the expiry date listed on its packaging. Exposure to warm temperatures can accelerate insulin degradation, necessitating more frequent replacements.
- Preventing Bacterial Growth: Warm environments can promote bacterial growth in biologics like insulin. Refrigeration mitigates this risk and ensures the safety of the medication.
How long does insulin last in the fridge?
Unopened insulin correctly stored in the fridge is deemed usable up until the expiration date provided by the manufacturer on each pen or vial. It is crucial to verify this date and, if in doubt, consult a pharmacist for further guidance.
Despite continuous refrigeration, once insulin reaches its expiration date, it should no longer be used as it is considered unstable and potentially unsafe, posing significant health risks.
Remember the Dual Expiration Dates of Insulin:
- Official Expiration Date: Found on the pen, vial, or cartridge, indicating how long the insulin remains effective when refrigerated.
- Post-Opening Expiration: Occurring approximately one month after the insulin is first opened or removed from refrigeration.
Always ensure that you are aware of and monitor both expiration dates for safe insulin usage.
Best Practices When Storing Insulin in the Fridge
- Maintain Stable Temperature: It's crucial to keep your fridge at a consistent temperature between 2°C and 8°C. This stability helps prevent insulin from becoming less effective due to temperature fluctuations.
- Ensure Proper Air Circulation: Keep your fridge from being overcrowded. This not only helps maintain a consistent temperature but also allows for adequate airflow, which is vital for the proper function of your refrigerator.
- Minimize Door Opening: Try to keep the fridge door closed as much as possible. Frequent opening can lead to temperature instability, which might compromise the efficacy of your insulin.
- Avoid Freezing: Never place insulin near the freezer compartment. Insulin can lose its effectiveness if it freezes.
- Central Storage: Store insulin in the center of the fridge, away from the doors and the walls. These areas can experience the most temperature variation when the door is opened and closed.
- Monitor Fridge Temperature: Regularly check the temperature inside your refrigerator. For more precise control, consider using a smart thermometer.
Does Insulin Need to Be Refrigerated After Opening?
No, insulin does not require refrigeration after it's been opened. Once you've started using a vial or a preloaded pen, it can safely be stored at room temperature, provided it stays below 25°C, for up to a month. However, the precise duration can differ depending on the specific brand and type of insulin you are using.
Now, let's explore more about optimal storage practices once your insulin is out of the fridge.
How Long Can You Keep Insulin Out of the Fridge?
As previously stated, insulin must be refrigerated prior to initial use. But once it's opened, it's perfectly fine to keep it out of the refrigerator where it remains viable for roughly a month. Monitor this timeframe closely to avoid using insulin that has been out for too long.
Insulin stored at room temperature should be protected from heat and light and consistently maintained below 25°C. If you find yourself in or heading to a warmer climate, carry your insulin in an insulin cooling case to preserve its efficacy and safety.
Related article: Insulin Storage: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Your Insulin Pens and Vials.
Shelf Life of Insulin Out of the Fridge Across Different Brands
While the general guideline is that insulin can stay unrefrigerated for about one month, how long exactly insulin is good for out of the fridge varies based on the brand and type of insulin you're using.
Here's a breakdown of how long various popular insulin brands in the UK typically last outside the fridge, according to their manufacturers:
· Lantus (insulin glargine): up to 28 days.
· Novolog (insulin aspart): up to 28 days.
· Humalog (insulin lispro): up to 28 days.
· Apidra (insulin glulisine): up to 28 days.
· Levemir (insulin detemir): up to 42 days.
· Tresiba (insulin degludec): up to 56 days.
· Toujeo (insulin glargine): up to 42 days.
· Abasaglar (insulin glargine): up to 28 days.
· Fiasp (insulin aspart): up to 28 days.
· Admelog (insulin lispro): to 28 days.
· NovoRapid (insulin aspart): up to 4 weeks.
· Lyumjev (insulin lispro-aabc): up to 28 days.
· NovoMix (insulin aspart and insulin aspart protamine): up to 4 weeks.
· Humalog Mix 75/25 (premixed insulin): up to 10 days.
· Semglee (biosimilar to Lantus): up to 28 days.
Always consult the specific storage instructions provided with your insulin. If you have doubts, speak with your GP, diabetes specialist, or pharmacist to determine the exact shelf life of your insulin when not refrigerated.
Can You Put Insulin Back In The Fridge?
Yes, you can generally put insulin back in the fridge to help preserve its effectiveness, especially if the ambient temperature at your home is too hot.
However, it's important to note that re-refrigerating insulin after it has been opened does not extend its shelf life beyond the initially recommended duration. Once an insulin pen, vial, or cartridge has been opened or removed from the fridge, it is good for about a month, regardless of whether it has been stored at room temperature or refrigerated again after opening.
Never Store Insulin Above 25°C
While insulin can stay out of the fridge, it should never ever be exposed to temperatures above 25°C, sometimes 30 °C for certain brands. Even brief exposure to heat can quickly degrade your insulin.
Never store insulin near heat sources such as radiators, stoves, or in direct sunlight. Heat can accelerate the degradation of insulin, significantly reducing its efficacy.
If you're living in or travelling to warm climates, use a medical-grade insulin cooler, like those from 4AllFamily, which are designed to keep cool and safe, come what may.
Safeguard Insulin from Light and Breakage
Exposure to sunlight and indoor lighting can diminish the effectiveness of your insulin. It's essential to store insulin vials and pens in a dark place to shield them from such light exposure. For those utilising insulin pens, always ensure the cap is securely in place to further protect against light damage.
Moreover, insulin vials are often made from delicate, thin glass. To lessen the risk of these vials breaking, we recommend the use of a silicone vial protector. This practical accessory can prevent your insulin from shattering if it is accidentally dropped, ensuring your medication remains safe and intact.
We'd Love to Hear From You!
If you have any stories, experiences, or tips related to storing insulin, or if you have questions about how to best manage your insulin's effectiveness, please share them in the comments below. We're here to help!
