How should insulin be stored?
Insulin vials should be kept refrigerated until you are ready to start using them. Then they need to be kept in a cool place, away from extremes of temperature. Insulin is fragile, and exposure to extreme heat, or freezing, can destroy its efficacy. Q: How can I have a more flexible insulin regimen? A: Some people use sliding scales and algorithms for the regular dose, according to the amount of food taken at the time. Use of such a technique requires thorough familiarity. Q: What is “buffered” insulin? A: Buffered Regular insulin is for use in insulin pumps. It acts just like other “R” insulins, but contains a buffering agent to make it more stable for such use. Some folks use conventional, unbuffered, Regular in their pumps, but the manufacturers recommend use of the buffered variety. Q: What are the durations and peak times for the different insulin classes? LOWS MOST INSULIN START PEAK END LIKELY AT Lispro 10 min 1 hr 4 hr 2-4 hr Regular 20 min 3-4 hr 8 hr 3-7 hr NPH 1.5 hr 4-10 hr
Insulin vials should be kept in the refrigerator until you start using them. Then, you can keep them in a cool place (bathroom), avoiding extreme temperatures. In this way, they may be used until they are finished. 20. Can insulin regimens be flexible? Some people use sliding scales and algorithms for the regular dose, increasing and decreasing the dose according to the amount of food eaten at the time. This should not be attempted without a thorough working knowledge of your diabetes. 21. What is buffered insulin? Buffered Regular insulin is used in pumps. It acts like other Regular insulins. The buffering supposedly makes it more stable for use in pumps. Pumps hold large amounts of insulin (mine holds 315 units) that can’t be temperature-controlled. Since most people wear the pump next to their body, the insulin can be warmer than room temperature. (The insulin in my pump also gets heated in the shower.) It’s also possible that prolonged contact with plastic may degrade insulin. Pump
Vials of insulin not in use should be refrigerated. Extreme temperatures (below 36 or above 86F; below 2 or above 30C) and excess agitation should be avoided to prevent loss of potency, clumping, frosting, or precipitation. Specific storage guidelines provided by the manufacturer should be followed. If storing several vials for long-term use, it would be wise to purchase a thermometer that is kept with the insulin and check it frequently to assure the correct temperature range. Insulin in use may be kept at room temperature (if room temperatures corresponds to manufacturer s recommendations) to limit local irritation at the injection site, which may occur when cold insulin is used. A slight loss in potency may occur after the bottle has been in use for longer than 30 days, especially if it was stored at room temperature.
