HealthInfo Canterbury
Storing & handling insulin
Storing your insulin
Keep any vials or cartridges of insulin you are not using in the fridge (away from the freezer and freezer coils), at a temperature of 2 to 4ยบ C, until they reach their expiry date.
Keep any vials or cartridges you are using at room temperature – cold insulin may sting when you inject it, and take longer to work. Four weeks after you have opened a vial or cartridge, throw away any that is left.
Always check the expiry date on the insulin vial or cartridge before you use it. Never use insulin that is out of date.
Do not:
- keep insulin in a very hot or very cold place – this could stop it from working properly
- keep insulin in the glove box of a car
- freeze your insulin
- expose your insulin to strong light or heat.
Handling your insulin
Before you use cloudy insulin, you need to mix it well. If you are using a vial, gently roll it between the palms of your hands or move the vial up and down 20 times.
If you are using an insulin pen, turn the pen up and down 20 times before you use it, to mix the insulin well.
If you are using a syringe and draw up more insulin than you need, don't squirt the left-over amount back into the vial, as this could contaminate all the insulin in the vial.
Important
Don't use a vial, cartridge or prefilled pen if:
- the expiry date has been reached or passed
- clear soluble insulin is cloudy (it must be clear)
- the insulin is discoloured
- the insulin has been frozen or exposed to high temperatures
- the insulin contains lumps or flakes, or sticks to the glass.
Storing insulin when travelling
- Keep your insulin in as cool a place as possible, and keep it in your hand luggage when flying. Don't store insulin in a car glove box. It's best to store your insulin in an insulated container, to protect it from extreme temperatures.
- Take at least twice the amount of insulin you think you will need and carry it in your hand luggage when flying. If you are travelling with a companion, divide your insulin supplies between the two of you.
- Always take a spare pen, in case you damage or lose the one you are using. And always take a spare meter and extra blood test strips.
- You will need to take a doctor's travel letter and a copy for Customs and Airline Security.
- Always have a supply of food with you to treat a hypo. But make sure you check what food you are allowed to carry into the countries you are visiting.
You may need to adjust the amount of insulin you take if you are changing time zones, going somewhere hotter or colder than you are used to, or going to be more or less active than you usually are. If you think you might need to adjust the amount of insulin you use when you are travelling, contact your Diabetes Centre or your GP for advice. Use the travel checklist to make sure you have everything you need. You can buy travel supplies from the Diabetes Christchurch shop.
On the next page: Diabetes equipment
Written by Christchurch Diabetes Centre.Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by clinical director, Diabetes Services, Canterbury DHB. Last reviewed May 2016.
Sources
See also:
Review key: HIDIA-21832
