How long can insulin be stored at room temperature?

Insulin is the most commonly used drug for diabetic patients. For diabetic patients, they can inject insulin by themselves at home, which involves the issue of insulin storage. Generally, if the temperature is below 30 degrees, it can be stored for one month. Of course, you need to refer to some instructions of insulin and store it strictly according to the instructions. This includes the storage method of unopened insulin and the storage method of opened insulin.

How long can insulin be stored at room temperature?

Many friends are accustomed to keeping a lot of insulin in their refrigerators for backup. Generally speaking, 1-2 extra insulin bottles are enough, and it is not recommended to keep a lot of them. Because if insulin is stored for a long time and the refrigerator door is opened and closed frequently, the temperature fluctuations may cause the insulin effect to decrease and it will not play the expected blood sugar-lowering role.

1. Storage methods of unopened insulin

Unopened insulin should be stored for a long time at 2-8°C. Generally speaking, insulin is not taken out of the refrigerator and used immediately. It needs to be injected at room temperature. Even if it is taken out of the refrigerator, it must be placed at room temperature for about 60 minutes to allow the temperature of the insulin to return to room temperature before injection. Low-temperature insulin is more painful to inject. That is to say, even in summer, the insulin pen with refill can be placed in a cool place in the house.

2. Storage Methods for Opened Insulin

The opened insulin injection can be stored at room temperature. If the temperature does not exceed 30°C, it can be kept for about 28 days. Moreover, repeated exposure of the insulin injection to hot and cold environments can make the insulin more ineffective, so there is no need to refrigerate it. It should be noted that the insulin pen with the cartridge installed cannot be placed in the refrigerator and repeatedly put in and taken out. Because if the needle is not removed, the insulin will absorb air during the process of thermal expansion and contraction, forming bubbles, resulting in inaccurate injection amount. Therefore, after each insulin injection, just remove the needle and store it at room temperature. Generally speaking, insulin can maintain its effectiveness as long as it is kept at refrigerated temperature and within the expiration date specified for the drug.

3. Storage methods of insulin under special conditions

When flying, insulin (with a hospital prescription) cannot be checked in as luggage, but can be packed in a constant temperature storage box and carried on board the plane. Because the temperature in an airplane luggage compartment is often below freezing, insulin may freeze and lose its effectiveness. Insulin preparations that have been frozen cannot be thawed and then used. In addition, insulin is also afraid of heat. Even in winter, insulin cannot be exposed directly to sunlight to avoid becoming ineffective.