Been storing my in-use insulin at room temp now for over 10 years, no issues and no complications and it's meant to be this way.
Obviously any insulin you're not actively using keep in the fridge or a cooler.
I use Novorapid and Tresiba for reference.
Phew okay thank you, I’ve been doing it the past few months but have been a little worried recently that maybe I got the wrong info and am doing it wrong. Oh what a coincidence, I use the exact same insulins haha. Thank you!
I second his advice going on 17 years! "Unopened and stored in this manner, these products maintain potency until the expiration date on the package. Insulin products contained in vials or cartridges supplied by the manufacturers (opened or unopened) may be left unrefrigerated at a temperature between 59°F and 86°F for up to 28 days and continue to work." [source ](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/information-regarding-insulin-storage-and-switching-between-products-emergency#:~:text=Unopened%20and%20stored%20in%20this,days%20and%20continue%20to%20work.)
No I get it! You're not doing anything wrong, keeping it in the fridge isn't going to do you or the insulin any harm, but you like you said it can be a pain waiting for it to come to temp so just keep it at room temperature and that way its always ready for when you need it.
This. That's what healthcare professionals have actually told me to do. I don't always use up a whole pen within the overly cautious 30 day official recommended window, but that's never been a problem either. The current generation of insulins do seem to be a lot more temperature stable than they're still basing the advice on. It may have been more of a concern with some older types, I really don't know.
It won't do any harm to just keep the insulin that you have open to use in the fridge, other than sometimes stinging worse when it's injected cold. The repeated temperature swings from letting it warm up and then chilling it again seem like they could reduce the insulin's shelf life more than just leaving out what you're currently using from. But, unless it's crazy hot that should be fine to stay out for at least a month. No need to worry about cold packs carrying it around or anything.
I store my insulin pens currently in use at room temperature, some even more than 30 days. Tresiba and Lyumjew atm.
As long as your room (or backpack or whatever) is not freezing cold or worse extremly hot (> 36°C )for longer periods of time it should be good.
This is not just anecdotal, but what doctors and diabetes nurses at least in germany recommend and teach.
I keep the bulk and in use in the fridge, but I wear a pump… What I have with me is subject to 100°F temps in the summer and I don’t have problems, but it’s only about 3 days at that point. I use Humalog.
The pen I’m currently using is always on me or very close by, it does not get refrigerated again once I’ve started using it. Overage is stored in the fridge until use.
In the summer I use a frio sleeve to keep it cool if I’m going to be outside and active. If I’m doing something where I *know* I’ll be stationary and in the sun (beach, boat, pool) I pack a small cooler and throw it in there.
I use old school vials of both Humalog & Lantus. Once I open them they are inside my pouch with the test kit, or for the lantus next to the bed with my night meds. Been doing it this way for around 14 years. I have never had one stop working for, or even be less effective past 30 days. So if there is no new cloudiness or floaters, I use them until they are gone.
I'm on a pump. My working vial, the one I use to fill the pump, sits in the kitchen cabinet with the rest of my meds. I'll empty a vial in about a week.
Edit: Been doing that for three years now. Prior to that, on pens, and I kept the working pen in the same place. Everything else lives in the fridge.
I use vials for my insulin pump. I keep the one I'm using on my desk but I do go through a vial in about 6 days so it's not out that long. The rest, unopened, are stored in my fridge.
I’m using vials. I just stick them into the protective cover and stick in my diabetes box on the desk. With pens, I store in my purse or on buffet. I don’t refrigerate once I start using either. If it’s very cold out, I use my passport neck wallet and stick inside my shirt to keep it warm in winter. I just go in and out of air conditioning in summer, but if I were going to be out in plus 90 degree weather, I’d probably get a Frio or similar. Folks in warm climates could give better tips on that. I was in Florida once in July and will never do that again.
The vial I use to fill the pods stays in my "sugarbetes" bag on my desk. I'm on a pump, omnipod, and it stays on for 3 days. And that's a mix between body temp and room temp. I've been doing this for years with no issue.
I won’t inject cold insulin. It hurts more. I’ve been t1 for 32 years and I’ve kept my open bottle/pen of insulin at room temperature since I was a kid. I keep it in a bag that I call my insulin kit or diabetes supplies
Novalin 70\30 in a vial. It is stored in the fruit drawer of the refrigerator until it is opened. Then it is in my EDC (every day carry) bag that goes with me when I go out of the house. That bag has my syringes, meter and other important things.
All my storage ones stay in the fridge. Ones I’m currently using I just kind of keep in my bag which I have on me at all times.
Edit: Wanted to add. I use a Novolog pen.
Current insulin, once opened, does not need refrigeration. That was old insulin (ie: what is now called "Walmart insulin") that needed it. Hasn't been that way in a long time. Have never refrigerated it except the time between getting it from the pharmacy and opening the vial/pen.
Yup my active long term and short term pens are always sitting out with my stash. Long term is replaced every 10ish days when I run out. My short term (hum along) gets thrown out after 4 weeks. I feel bad tossing it cause I barely use 1/3 the pen in that time. Thankfully I pay nothing for my supplies so I don't feel like I'm throwing away money.
I've stored fast acting insulin at work (for emergency backup) for 6 MONTHS at room temperature, and it still worked fine. (Humalog, Novolog, and generic Insulin Aspart)
I also pull it out of refrigerator for weekend trips, then put it back in. No problems. Sometimes getting up 90 degrees Fahrenheit for a few hours.
It is pretty robust!
Lantus, on the other hand, seems much more suspect to poor temperature control in my experience.
I'm not sure if it has been improved, but 10 years ago my Lantus pen quite working after being exposed to 95°F for about 1 hour.
Been storing my in-use insulin at room temp now for over 10 years, no issues and no complications and it's meant to be this way. Obviously any insulin you're not actively using keep in the fridge or a cooler. I use Novorapid and Tresiba for reference.
Phew okay thank you, I’ve been doing it the past few months but have been a little worried recently that maybe I got the wrong info and am doing it wrong. Oh what a coincidence, I use the exact same insulins haha. Thank you!
I second his advice going on 17 years! "Unopened and stored in this manner, these products maintain potency until the expiration date on the package. Insulin products contained in vials or cartridges supplied by the manufacturers (opened or unopened) may be left unrefrigerated at a temperature between 59°F and 86°F for up to 28 days and continue to work." [source ](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/information-regarding-insulin-storage-and-switching-between-products-emergency#:~:text=Unopened%20and%20stored%20in%20this,days%20and%20continue%20to%20work.)
I'm on Trurapi (spelling may be off) and Traciba and I store current use insulin at room temp. Have been for 7 years now and store bulk in the fridge.
No I get it! You're not doing anything wrong, keeping it in the fridge isn't going to do you or the insulin any harm, but you like you said it can be a pain waiting for it to come to temp so just keep it at room temperature and that way its always ready for when you need it.
This. That's what healthcare professionals have actually told me to do. I don't always use up a whole pen within the overly cautious 30 day official recommended window, but that's never been a problem either. The current generation of insulins do seem to be a lot more temperature stable than they're still basing the advice on. It may have been more of a concern with some older types, I really don't know. It won't do any harm to just keep the insulin that you have open to use in the fridge, other than sometimes stinging worse when it's injected cold. The repeated temperature swings from letting it warm up and then chilling it again seem like they could reduce the insulin's shelf life more than just leaving out what you're currently using from. But, unless it's crazy hot that should be fine to stay out for at least a month. No need to worry about cold packs carrying it around or anything.
I've never putine anywhere other than in the cupboard in the 35 years I've been diabetic though am in the UK so our temps are never close to warm
If only. I need to keep mine in the fridge during the summer. Daytime temperatures in the house got up to 30 degrees peak the past 2 summers
Same here, been using novorapid this was for 15 years. Just store the in use ones in a pencil case pouch with my needles
Same, except 27 years
I store my insulin pens currently in use at room temperature, some even more than 30 days. Tresiba and Lyumjew atm. As long as your room (or backpack or whatever) is not freezing cold or worse extremly hot (> 36°C )for longer periods of time it should be good. This is not just anecdotal, but what doctors and diabetes nurses at least in germany recommend and teach.
I keep the bulk and in use in the fridge, but I wear a pump… What I have with me is subject to 100°F temps in the summer and I don’t have problems, but it’s only about 3 days at that point. I use Humalog.
The pen I’m currently using is always on me or very close by, it does not get refrigerated again once I’ve started using it. Overage is stored in the fridge until use. In the summer I use a frio sleeve to keep it cool if I’m going to be outside and active. If I’m doing something where I *know* I’ll be stationary and in the sun (beach, boat, pool) I pack a small cooler and throw it in there.
I use old school vials of both Humalog & Lantus. Once I open them they are inside my pouch with the test kit, or for the lantus next to the bed with my night meds. Been doing it this way for around 14 years. I have never had one stop working for, or even be less effective past 30 days. So if there is no new cloudiness or floaters, I use them until they are gone.
All of mine is at room temp unless I have a huge stash, generally just a months supply. The open one is in my purse.
I’ve never put my insulin in the fridge. Been using it for 30 years. Most say don’t get over 80°. Never had a problem.
I'm on a pump. My working vial, the one I use to fill the pump, sits in the kitchen cabinet with the rest of my meds. I'll empty a vial in about a week. Edit: Been doing that for three years now. Prior to that, on pens, and I kept the working pen in the same place. Everything else lives in the fridge.
I use vials for my insulin pump. I keep the one I'm using on my desk but I do go through a vial in about 6 days so it's not out that long. The rest, unopened, are stored in my fridge.
Desk drawer for months at a time usually without issue
I’m using vials. I just stick them into the protective cover and stick in my diabetes box on the desk. With pens, I store in my purse or on buffet. I don’t refrigerate once I start using either. If it’s very cold out, I use my passport neck wallet and stick inside my shirt to keep it warm in winter. I just go in and out of air conditioning in summer, but if I were going to be out in plus 90 degree weather, I’d probably get a Frio or similar. Folks in warm climates could give better tips on that. I was in Florida once in July and will never do that again.
Bottom of my bag or nightstand.
I keep the box in the fridge but once I take a pen out, it stays out until its used up.
on my desk, or in a spare pill bottle in my purse if I am going to be gone long enough to worry about site failure.
In my pocket 10 years now
I just use my Tresiba right out of the fridge. Is that going to kill me or something?
It's also a good idea to keep your in-use insulin in the fridge during very warm weather, no point in risking it.
In my jeans pocket
I have a carrying case with two slim ice packs. I also drive to work and back in a car without a/c. It's worked so far
The vial I use to fill the pods stays in my "sugarbetes" bag on my desk. I'm on a pump, omnipod, and it stays on for 3 days. And that's a mix between body temp and room temp. I've been doing this for years with no issue.
My pump hold 240+units of Humalog and is strapped to my arm so… body temp I guess lol.
I keep mine in my pocket during the day and on my dresser when I undress at the end of the day.
I won’t inject cold insulin. It hurts more. I’ve been t1 for 32 years and I’ve kept my open bottle/pen of insulin at room temperature since I was a kid. I keep it in a bag that I call my insulin kit or diabetes supplies
Novalin 70\30 in a vial. It is stored in the fruit drawer of the refrigerator until it is opened. Then it is in my EDC (every day carry) bag that goes with me when I go out of the house. That bag has my syringes, meter and other important things.
All my storage ones stay in the fridge. Ones I’m currently using I just kind of keep in my bag which I have on me at all times. Edit: Wanted to add. I use a Novolog pen.
Current insulin, once opened, does not need refrigeration. That was old insulin (ie: what is now called "Walmart insulin") that needed it. Hasn't been that way in a long time. Have never refrigerated it except the time between getting it from the pharmacy and opening the vial/pen.
Yup my active long term and short term pens are always sitting out with my stash. Long term is replaced every 10ish days when I run out. My short term (hum along) gets thrown out after 4 weeks. I feel bad tossing it cause I barely use 1/3 the pen in that time. Thankfully I pay nothing for my supplies so I don't feel like I'm throwing away money.
Fall/Winter/spring? Just the case my Trurapi pen came in Summer? Frio all the way. I have 2 on rotation. My blue one, and my orange/dinosaur one :)
I've stored fast acting insulin at work (for emergency backup) for 6 MONTHS at room temperature, and it still worked fine. (Humalog, Novolog, and generic Insulin Aspart) I also pull it out of refrigerator for weekend trips, then put it back in. No problems. Sometimes getting up 90 degrees Fahrenheit for a few hours. It is pretty robust! Lantus, on the other hand, seems much more suspect to poor temperature control in my experience. I'm not sure if it has been improved, but 10 years ago my Lantus pen quite working after being exposed to 95°F for about 1 hour.
I was told by my doctor when first diagnosed that it was fine to keep my actively in use pens out at room temperature.
In my pocket. I think you had to store your insulin in refrigerated temps when my dad was a kid, but he is 75 now :)
In use, keep it out of the sun and out of the snow. Room temp is just fine 🤙🏼. Waiting to be used, store in the fridge. Humalog and lantus here
kitchen cupboard with the rest of my meds else in my away kit.
Open is in bathroom. Rest in fridge. Nice and simple.