While insulin is a life-saving treatment for people with diabetes, managing its use, including refrigeration and storage, can be quite challenging. Yet, surveys show that many people with diabetes aren't aware of how to store their insulin correctly. But insulin that's left unrefrigerated for too long or not stored properly can lose its potency, resulting in uncontrolled blood sugar and, eventually, serious diabetes complications.
As a general rule, insulin needs to be refrigerated between 2°C and 8° before use. After opening, it can be kept at room temperature, below 25°C, for up to a month. Yet, the nuances of insulin storage extend beyond these basic guidelines. The following guide is designed to answer all your questions about insulin refrigeration and storage:
- When does insulin need to be refrigerated, and when can it be kept at room temperature?
- What happens if insulin is not refrigerated?
- How long can insulin safely stay out of the fridge?
- What is the optimal storage temperature for insulin?
- How to travel with insulin that needs to be refrigerated?
- And more!
Does Insulin Need to Be Refrigerated Before Use?
Yes, insulin needs to be refrigerated before use, regardless of its type, brand, or container. Whether you use Lantus, Novolog, Humalog, fast-acting insulin, basal insulin, or any other type or brand of insulin, you must store your insulin pens, vials, and cartridges in the refrigerator prior to first use.
Before opening, insulin must be stored in your fridge, set at the correct temperature range to ensure optimal storage conditions. The recommended temperature range for insulin refrigeration is between 2°C and 8°C. But be carefull that your fridge isn't set on too low temperatures below 2°C to prevent insulin from freezing, which would render it ineffective too!
It's a good practice to regularly check and monitor your fridge temperature. For instance, using a smart thermometer that alerts you when the temperature deviates from the set range, in case of a power outage for instance, can help control that your insulin is always stored at the optimal temperature.
If you prefer visual information, here's a helpful video on insulin refrigeration:
Why does insulin have to be refrigerated?
Along with other diabetes injections like Mounjaro, Ozempic, Trulicity, Victoza, or Byetta, insulin is a biologic. These medications contain components derived from living organisms, making them highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, heat, and light.
Refrigeration allows to maintain insulin's effectiveness and stability before use:
- Its preserves insulin potency. Insulin is a protein that can break down over time when exposed to heat. Storing it within in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C helps maintain its molecular structure and prevent breakdown, thereby ensuring it remains effective in regulating blood glucose levels.
- It extends insulin shelflife. Insulin stored in a refrigerator retains its potency until the expiration date listed on its packaging. Warm temperatures can hasten insulin's degradation, diminishing its shelf life and necessitating more frequent replacements.
- Its prevents bacterial growth. Warm environments can foster bacterial growth in biologic medications like insulin. Refrigeration not only suppresses this risk but ensures insulin is safe for use.
Refrigerating insulin before use is absolutely necessary for your good diabetes management. Although all insulins must be refrigerated before use, specific storage conditions may vary depending on the type and brand of insulin. Therefore, always consult the specific storage recommendations for your insulin to ensure maximum effectiveness and safety.
How long does insulin last in the fridge?
Unopened insulin, when stored in the fridge, lasts until the expiration date indicated on the package or the container itself. Each insulin pen, vial, or cartridge comes with an official expiration date provided by the manufacturer. Typically, the shelf life of unopen and refrigerated insulin is around one year after the purchase date. Always verify this date, and if in doubt, consult your pharmacist for assistance.
Once past its expiration date, insulin isn't good anymore, as it's considered unstable and unsafe for use. Even if the insulin has been stored continuously in the fridge and remains unopened, it should never be used after its expiration. Using expired insulin can potentially lead to high blood sugar levels and significant risks for your health.
But bear in mind that insulin actually has two expiration dates!
- The official expiration date labelled on the pen, vial, or cartridge. Insulin lasts until that date when stored in the refrigerator.
- The expiration that occurs about a month after insulin is opened or removed from the fridge!
So, always make sure to keep track of both these expiration dates!
Related article: How long do insulin vials last, and how many do you need per month?
Does Insulin Still Need Refrigeration After Opening?
No, insulin does not need to be refrigerated after opening. Once you've opened a vial or started using a preloaded pen, it can safely be kept at room temperature, below 25°C for up to a month, although the exact duration can vary based on the specific brand and type of insulin. Now, let's dig a bit deeper about the best storage practices for insulin after it's opened or removed from the fridge.
Related article: 10 Tips That Work to Inject Insulin Without Pain!
How Long Can Insulin Be Out Of The Fridge and Kept at Room Temperature?
As mentioned above, insulin needs to be refrigerated before use. But once opened, it's ok to keep it out of the fridge. In that case, it will be good for approximately a month. So, make sure to keep track of this timeframe and never use insulin that's been out of the fridge for too long.
When not refrigerated, insulin must be kept at room temperature, shielded from heat, and protected from light. When not refrigerated, insulin must always be kept below 25°C. So, if you live in or travel to warmer climates where ambient temperatures may exceed 25°C, you would have to use an insulin cooler to keep your insulin cool and maintain its effectiveness.
How Long Is Insulin Good For Out Of The Fridge?
While the general guideline is that insulin can stay unrefrigerated for about one month, how long exactly insulin is good for out of the fridge varies based on the brand and type of insulin prescribed.
Below is a list of how long popular insulin brands are good for out of the fridge, according to their respective manufacturer:
- Lantus (insulin glargine): up to 28 days.
- Novolog (insulin aspart): up to 28 days.
- Humalog (insulin lispro): up to 28 days.
- Humulin N (insulin NPH): up to 31 days.
- Humulin R (insulin regular): up to 31 days.
- Apidra (insulin glulisine): up to 28 days.
- Novolin N (insulin NPH): up to 42 days.
- Novolin R (insulin regular): up to 42 days.
- Levemir (insulin detemir): up to 42 days.
- Tresiba (insulin degludec): up to 56 days.
- Toujeo (insulin glargine): up to 42 days.
- Basaglar (insulin glargine): up to 28 days.
- Fiasp (insulin aspart): up to 28 days.
- Admelog (insulin lispro): to 28 days.
- NovoRapid (insulin aspart): up to 4 weeks.
- Lyumjev (insulin lispro-aabc): up to 28 days.
- NovoMix (insulin aspart and insulin aspart protamine): up to 4 weeks.
- Humulin 70/30 (premixed insulin): up to 31 days.
- Novolin 70/30 (premixed insulin): up to 6 weeks.
- Humalog Mix 75/25 (premixed insulin): up to 10 days.
- Semglee (biosimilar to Lantus): up to 28 days.
Always consult the specific storage instructions provided with your insulin. If you have doubts, speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine the exact shelf life of your insulin when not refrigerated.
Can You Put Insulin Back In The Fridge?
Yes, generally, insulin can be re-refrigerated. If the ambient temperature in your home is high, returning insulin to the refrigerator can help preserve its effectiveness.
However, putting insulin back in the fridge won't extend its shelf life beyond the recommended duration. Once an insulin pen, vial, or cartridge has been opened or removed from the fridge, it is good for approx a month, regardless of whether it has been kept at room temperature or in the fridge after opening.
How To Travel With Insulin That Needs To Be Refrigerated?
Traveling with diabetes and injectable medications like insulin requires careful planning, especially when refrigeration is needed. Here are a few tips to keep your insulin cool or refrigerated while traveling, based on the duration and type of your trip:
- Traveling with Refrigerated Insulin
If your travel extends beyond a month or involves carrying unopened insulin vials or pens that need to be refrigerated, investing in a medical-grade travel fridge is essential.
Products from 4AllFamily, like the Voyager Mini Portable Fridge for Insulin, the Explorer 3-in-1 Insulin Travel Case Cooler, or the Nomad Insulin Carrying Cases, offer reliable cooling solutions that maintain stable fridge-like temperatures, ensuring your insulin remains potent and safe throughout your travel.
- Traveling with Unrefrigerated Insulin
When traveling for shorter periods (less than a month) with insulin that has already been opened and can be stored at room temperature, a simpler cooling bag may suffice.
The Chiller Cooler Pouches for Insulin, the Companion Insulated Travel Bag, or the Rambler Insulin Pen Cooling Case maintain an internal temperature below 25°C, ensuring your insulin does not get exposed to heat while traveling.
Click here for more tips about how to keep insulin cool while traveling!
How To Store Insulin: Recap!
We've seen the rules, and now let's recap' on how to store your insulin in the most optimal conditions at home. Remember that storing your insulin correctly is well worth the effort: it helps keep it more efficient for longer, directly impacting both your health and budget!
Store unopened insulin in the fridge
Always store unopened insulin in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C immediately after purchase. Only remove it when needed to preserve its potency. If your return from the pharmacy exceeds 30 minutes, or if external temperatures rise above 26°C, use a medical cooler to keep it refrigerated and prevent cold chain interruption.
Where to store insulin in the refrigerator?
Here are a few optimal refrigerator storage tips for your insulin:
- Temperature stability is key. Maintain a consistent fridge temperature between 2°C and 8°C and avoid temperature fluctuations.
- Allow air circulation in your fridge. Avoid overpacking your fridge to ensure adequate air flow.
- Avoid keepind the refrigerator open. Frequent opening can lead to temperature instability inside your refrigerator.
- Prevent insulin from freezing. Never store insulin near the freezer compartment; freezing can render insulin ineffective.
- Store insulin at the center of the fridge. Place insulin vials or pens in the center of the fridge, away from the doors and walls where temperature variations are more likely.
- Monitor your fridge temperature. Regularly check the temperature inside your refrigerator at home. Consider using a smart thermometer for precise control.
Store opened insulin at room temperature
Once opened or removed from the fridge, insulin can generally be kept at room temperature, avoiding extremes above 25°C. It should be used within about a month. Ensure it is not exposed to direct sunlight or high heat during this period.
If you're living in or traveling to warm climates, use a medical-grade insulin cooler, like those from 4AllFamily, which are designed to maintain insulin at the required temperature.
Protect insulin from light and breakage
Exposure to sunlight and indoor lighting can also degrade your insulin and reduce its effectiveness. Always store your insulin vials and pens in a dark place to prevent this. For those using insulin pens, ensure the cap is always on to protect the insulin from light exposure.
Furthermore, insulin vials are typically made from thin, fragile glass. To minimize the risk of breakage, we recommend using a silicone vial protector. This simple accessory can save your insulin from shattering if accidentally dropped!
Related article: Glucagon Essentials, How to Use & Store Your Glucagon Emergency Kit!
FAQs About Insulin Storage and Refrigeration
What happens if insulin is not refrigerated?
If insulin is not refrigerated as instructed by its manufacturer, its effectiveness can decrease as it may lose potency, making it less effective at managing blood glucose levels. Insulin that is left unrefrigerated for too long can also spoil, displaying signs such as clumping or discoloration.
Typically, insulin can be unrefrigerated for up to a month, depending on the specific brand and formulation. Always store insulin as per the manufacturer's guidelines, which generally involve keeping it refrigerated until first use and then at room temperature (below 25°C) thereafter.
Does insulin go bad if not refrigerated?
Yes, insulin can go bad if not refrigerated for too long. While insulin is inherently unstable, most types are designed to remain stable at room temperature for about a month (below 25°C), with some insulins lasting a little less and others a bit more. If insulin is kept unrefrigerated beyond this period, it may begin to deteriorate, compromising its effectiveness and potency.
For more information on how to know if your insulin has gone bad, refer to our detailed guide: Can insulin go bad and how to tell if it has?
What if insulin was left out of the fridge for 2 hours?
If your insulin was left out of the fridge for just 2 hours, it is generally still safe to use. Most types of insulin are stable at room temperature (below 25°C) for up to a month once removed from the fridge. A brief period out of refrigeration, like 2 hours, should not significantly affect the insulin's efficacy or safety, provided the ambient temperature is not excessively hot.
However, it's important to return your insulin to the fridge as soon as possible. Always refer to your specific insulin's storage instructions for precise guidance.
What if insulin was left out of the fridge for 12 hours?
If insulin was left out of the fridge for 12 hours, it is typically considered to have been removed from refrigeration, breaking the cold chain required to maintain its longest shelf life in the fridge. Leaving your insulin out for 12 hours moves it into this usage phase rather than optimal storage.
In that case, it should be used within one month, but this duration can vary depending on the specific type of insulin. Check that your insulin does not show signs of spoilage, such as cloudiness, discolouration, or particles, which could indicate it has gone bad.
Related article: Can you prefill insulin syringes? How long are they good for?
Is it safe to use insulin that's been out of the fridge for too long?
Using insulin that has been out of the fridge for more than a month (average) is not safe. Although it won't necessarily harm you directly, its efficacy may be significantly compromised. Relying on insulin that has lost potency is akin to injecting water-it simply won't help lower your blood glucose levels effectively.
The primary risk of using degraded insulin is hyperglycaemia, which if not addressed, can escalate into diabetic ketoacidosis, especially in people with type 1 diabetes. Always adhere to storage guidelines specified by the manufacturer to ensure your insulin remains effective and safe for use.
Do insulin pens need to be refrigerated?
Yes, insulin pens must be refrigerated. As mentioned above, all insulins must be refrigerated before use, regardless of the container. Whether your using disposable insulin pens, cartridges for reusable injector pens, or insulin vials and syringes, all your insulin must be refrigerated before use.
How to store insulin without refrigeration?
To store insulin without refrigeration:
- Check temperature storage guidelines: Most insulins can be kept at room temperature (below 25°C) for about 28-30 days after opening. Always confirm with your insulin's storage instructions.
- Store in a cool, dry place: Keep insulin away from direct sunlight and heat. Ideal spots include a drawer or an interior cupboard.
- Use within a month: Aim to use insulin within one month when it's not refrigerated. Keep track of when you start using it or first removed it from the fridge.
- Inspect regularly: Check the insulin for any changes like discoloration or cloudiness, and do not use it if it appears abnormal.
- Protect your insulin from heat: Never leave insulin in places like a car or near a stove, where it can be exposed to extreme temperatures, even briefly.
What happens if insulin gets warm?
Insulin is highly sensitive to extreme temperatures and can degrade rapidly if it becomes warm. Laboratory tests confirm that insulin's effectiveness decreases significantly when exposed to temperatures above 26°C. The longer the exposure to these extreme temperatures, the more the insulin's potency is reduced.
It's surprisingly easy for insulin to become too warm. Leaving it in a car on a sunny day, near a stove, or even in a purse on a hot day can jeopardise its effectiveness. Once insulin has been exposed to such high temperatures, even briefly, it is no longer safe to use.
Using compromised insulin can lead to elevated blood glucose levels and severe diabetes complications. In emergency situations where no alternative is available, use warm insulin with caution, but it is strongly advised to obtain a new vial or pen from a refrigerator or pharmacy as soon as possible.
When does insulin expire?
Insulin can expire under three main conditions:
- It surpasses its expiration date.
- It has been out of the refrigerator for more than a month.
- It has been exposed to temperatures above 25°C, even briefly.
In any of these scenarios, the insulin is considered expired and should not be used. Dispose immediately of expired insulin to make sure you won't accidentally used it. Health Canada says that you can return your unused and expired Insulin to any pharmacy in Canada any day of the year. But sharps like needles and syringes used for insulin injections must be disposed of in sharps containers.
Related article: Does insulin expire? How long is it good for?
We'd Love to Hear From You!
We hope you found this article helpful and feel more confident in storing your insulin correctly when at home or traveling. If you have any questions, personal experiences, or additional tips about insulin refrigeration and storage, please share them in the comments below. Your insights could be invaluable to others!
