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Permalink Reply by Don Kelly on May 12, 2008 at 1:27pm

I keep my pen with my Novolog at room temp. My Lantus I keep in a small refirg in my room since I take it at night. I useally use my Novo cartridge and my bottle of Lantus up before 28 days so is no biggie. The only time I keep my pen "cold" is when I do a security gig or some kind of outdoor activity in the summer when my bag sits outside. Then I add a coldpac to my Dia-Pak and it keeps everything cool but no so cold to hurt....

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Permalink Reply by Jen on May 12, 2008 at 2:48pm

I keep all my pens in the refrigerator, but more recently I did see that you can keep open pens at room temperature for up to 28 days or something like that. I still keep them in the frige out of habit. It used to burn when I first started taking Lantus, but it doesn't anymore, so I don't bother keeping them out.

I had a little refrigerator at work, but it broke, so for now my Humalog pen I keep at work is room temp. I think it's fine as long as you are in a controlled climate (not too hot).

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Permalink Reply by Micky on May 12, 2008 at 3:06pm

We keep unopened, unused pens in the fridge, lantus and novolog. The ones we are using stay in the kitchen drawer(not refrigerated) until gone, (or 28 days). My daughter complained that the cold ones burned or hurt her and now that we are not refrigerating them, there is no more complaining or pain! Yeahh...so you don't have to refrigerate them if you are using them. Seems like no pain is worth keeping them out of the fridge... When we travel we keep her pens in a thermal bag of sorts for the pen we bought online. Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Kathy Barbis on May 12, 2008 at 5:37pm

I used Lantus many years ago before it was available in a pen. I was always told that Lantus was very temperature sensitive and it must be kept refrigerated even after opening. What a PITA that was. After reading all these posts, I am annoyed I listened. What a waste of time and energy trying to keep that stupid vial cold all the time...
Now that I am pumping, a vial a humalog only lasts a month for me anyway so I keep it room temp. I find I have less problems with air bubbles when I fill my reservoirs with room temp insulin.

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Permalink Reply by Jenny on May 12, 2008 at 5:40pm

Kathy,

Lantus WAS very temperature sensitive back when they introduced it and I read many a tale online back then of people's Lantus going bad early. So maybe they've changed something in the manufacturing process.

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Permalink Reply by Kris on May 13, 2008 at 9:47am

I'm on pens, and I keep my cartridges in the fridge until I use them, my DSN told me that insulin is only good for 30 days unrefrigerated. The boxes that my insulin comes in are all stamped with expiry date. The only worry I have sometimes is when my pharmacist prepares my prescription before I get to pick it up and so the insulin has been sitting out - how long is too long before it can go back in the fridge?!

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Permalink Reply by Terrie8 on May 13, 2008 at 9:54am

I believe every Pharmacy keep drugs that have to be refridgerated in their fridge behind the counter. I can see the fridge at my Pharmacy and she always takes my 3 refridgerated meds. out when I am ready for them.

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Permalink Reply by Kris on May 13, 2008 at 10:08am

I went in once and found all my stuff in a paper bag behind the counter on a shelf :(

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Permalink Reply by Denise on May 13, 2008 at 10:05am

I have wondered too, especially when traveling---how long can it be out before being re-refrigerated---I pump, but when I travel I carry pens forin case of....none of mine appear cloudy so one assumes they are stillok..but it is a shame there is no practical use advise readily available for these questions...least none that I have found

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Permalink Reply by Micky on May 13, 2008 at 10:35am

When I arrive at the pharmacy the meds are in a fridge behind the counter, i bring them right home and put them in the fridge to re-refridgerate so to speak. I'm not sure of the "time limit" I just leave it in the pharmacy bag then my fridge, so I guess it is not getting warm for just the ride home (20 min ride). The one we are using stays out of the fridge till its gone (we use it up before the 28 days). So for traveling the opened one you don't have to worry about the others you should store in some sort of cooler or thermal bag with a sort of freeze pack in it. They sell them especially for traveling with your pens!! If you want a professional opinion ask your pharmacy or call your endo doctor, they are always so helpful for me! I also read thru the fine print paper in my novolg box and it doesn't say anything about time limits before you re-refridgerate your pen, just says keep the ones you are not using in the fridge. and the one you are out of the light and as cool as possible. : )

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on May 15, 2008 at 3:07am

from my experience, insulin can sit out for a few days before being put back in the fridge... i've never noticed it being too heat-sensitive. in fact, over christmas break, my suitcase was accidentally placed on the floor near a heating vent while we were skiing in colorado. i freaked out when i realized that everything inside had heated up--including my bottles of insulin. they were warm to the touch! amazingly, it worked just fine... and i noticed no changes in my bloodsugars at all. :)

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