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| | From:  MarianneC1 (Original Message) | Sent: 12/6/2007 5:12 PM |
| I'm a new member Type 2 diabetes, formerly on by mouth meds only (glucotrol) Now on Lantos for 6 weeks so far. My question: how long can I use Lantos before it loses potency? If refrigerated? 28 days or longer. If not refrigerated? 28 days or longer? If its been in the fridge more than 28 days, and I'm going on a trip, can I just use it for the week of the trip at room temperature? and when I return, should I re- refrigerate it or get a new vial? |
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Are you talking about Lantus insulin? If so, the 28 day limit is for opened vials/cartridges. You may keep the unopened insulin refrigerated until the expiration day, which should appear on the package. Once opened, you may leave it at room temperature for the 28 days. After the 28 day, it may lose potency, and should be discarded. Did I answer your question? Check the package insert if you have any further questions. Or you can ask your doctor or pharmacist. Have a great trip! Happy holidays! HUGS! sheryl |
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Yes, but how long can I leave Lantos insulin after it is opened in the
refrigerator? Is there a limit if kept refrigerated?
Also, once having opened it and put it in the fridge for 6 weeks, can I
now use it not refrigerated for a week?
When I get home, should I then discard and get a new vial?
Marianne
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It is my understanding that once the seal has been breached by piecing it with a needle, contaminants are introduced. Therefore, keep it for only 28 days. Refrigerating the Lantus (or any insulin, for that matter) will not change the amount of time you may safely keep it, and rely upon its potency. If you are willing to take a chance, then use it, and just test your sugar more frequently. In essense, you are using yourself as a lab for the effectiveness of the medication. It's entirely up to you. If your blood sugars remain stable, then maybe it's OK to keep using it. I only use 2-3 units of Lantus per day. It means there is a lot of insulin left in the cartridge (I use the pen cartridges) at the end of the month. But I discard it anyway...I don't like to take chances, and the insurance covers it, anyway. I because of the immune suppression, I am VERY prone to infections. As I said, if you have particular concerns, you can always ask your pharmacist. They deal with storage issues all the time. Do you know how to enlarge the font to a 5 or more? Please...many of us have problems seeing the small fonts, after years of diabetes ravaging our eyes. Thanks! |
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| | | From: Julie | Sent: 12/7/2007 4:35 PM |
Sheryl, Thanks so much for your great and thorough explanation. When Marianne asked me about this (we know each other), I gave her a very loosey-goosey answer that she was not comfortable with. That's when I told her about this group and how there is lots of experience here to help her. Your answer gave her all the reasons why it could be better to follow the instructions. Marianne, To change the size of the print on your posts: - Type the message
- Click on font size
- highlight 5
This will make your message lots easier to read, and you may get more responses. Lots of people (me included) find the tiny print to difficult to read. Hope all is well with you! How is the new dose of Lantus doing? What are your morning numbers like? There is a daily thread on the Type 2 board where people post their morning numbers. That could be a good way of monitoring how you are doing and understanding why the numbers are sometimes too high. Julie |
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Welcome Marianne, glad to have you join us, we do have a lot of good caring people here. Normally you would get more responces but so many are out of town or getting ready for Christmas so it tends to be a bit slow this time of year. One of those good people is Sheryl thank goodness she was here to answer your question . I myself , don't know anything about Lantus, I 'm on Levemir. Once again welcome. Maryb
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| | | From: Julie | Sent: 12/7/2007 8:31 PM |
Revision!!!!! To change the size of the print on your posts: - Type the message
- Highlight all the text
- Click on font size
- Select 5
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