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Left Humulin-R out of fridge...

Outstanding

Well-known member
This past week I was in a rush to make an appointment, and after taking my post workout insulin (Humulin-R) shot and takiing a shower - I ran out the door and returned home approximately 5 hours later to find the vial sitting on my bathroom counter. I immediately put it back into the fridge, but have never read about the possible loss in potency/efficacy due to acclimating to room temperature.

It was not for longer than five hours - and our home is air conditioned... but does anyone have any information or perhaps a link that can enlighten me on whether or not the insulin has been rendered inactive or if it can still be used? Thanks!
 
crazyfool405 said:
i dont see it being a problem at room temp, its a peptide hormone, like IGF you can leave in room temp.
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CF, you're my knight in shining armor... the wind beneath my wings... you're... ok seriously :)

Thanks for the reply - but on the Lilly Pharma box it came in from the drug store it advises patients to keep it in the fridge; what's the theory behind this dogma or directive that everyone seems to adhere to, even with IGF-1 LR3? Hope you're having a great weekend - Recompadrol coming soon ;)
 
Outstanding said:
This past week I was in a rush to make an appointment, and after taking my post workout insulin (Humulin-R) shot and takiing a shower - I ran out the door and returned home approximately 5 hours later to find the vial sitting on my bathroom counter. I immediately put it back into the fridge, but have never read about the possible loss in potency/efficacy due to acclimating to room temperature.

It was not for longer than five hours - and our home is air conditioned... but does anyone have any information or perhaps a link that can enlighten me on whether or not the insulin has been rendered inactive or if it can still be used? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes, it's absolutely fine to use. You want to keep it out of direct sunlight or significant temperature changes. I can tell you as a medical professional that we do not refrigerate insulin in the clinical setting; it's stored in a pyxis machine.

Some other tips:

-Store insulin you are not using in a refrigerator. It is a protein dissolved in water, sort of like a soup stock, so keep it cold to prevent it from spoiling. Keep it between 36º and 46º F. If it gets colder it will freeze. If the insulin freezes, when it thaws it will separate and clump and will no longer be usable. If it gets warmer it will be ok for awhile but will eventually spoil.

-If it starts to spoil, bacteria growing in it breaks down the insulin. It won't hurt you to use this. However, its not as effective so your blood sugar will be higher than you expect even though you took the right amount of insulin at the right time.

-It is ok to keep a bottle of insulin you are using at room temperature for up to 28 days (room temperature is 59º to 86º F). The preservative in insulin keeps it from spoiling this long.

-Insulin at room temperature injected into the skin is more comfortable for many people. Also, it may be easier to get rid of air bubbles in the syringe when it is at room temperature.

-If you live in a hot climate and your room temperature is above 80º, keep your insulin in the refrigerator.

-Insulin used past 28 days at room temperature or past the expiration date on the box may still be good. However, using it may cause control problems and is not recommended.

-Lantus, Humalog and Novolog seem to spoil faster than Regular and NPH.


-John
 
Trauma1 said:
Yes, it's absolutely fine to use. You want to keep it out of direct sunlight or significant temperature changes. I can tell you as a medical professional that we do not refrigerate insulin in the clinical setting; it's stored in a pyxis machine.

Some other tips:

-Store insulin you are not using in a refrigerator. It is a protein dissolved in water, sort of like a soup stock, so keep it cold to prevent it from spoiling. Keep it between 36º and 46º F. If it gets colder it will freeze. If the insulin freezes, when it thaws it will separate and clump and will no longer be usable. If it gets warmer it will be ok for awhile but will eventually spoil.

-If it starts to spoil, bacteria growing in it breaks down the insulin. It won't hurt you to use this. However, its not as effective so your blood sugar will be higher than you expect even though you took the right amount of insulin at the right time.

-It is ok to keep a bottle of insulin you are using at room temperature for up to 28 days (room temperature is 59º to 86º F). The preservative in insulin keeps it from spoiling this long.

-Insulin at room temperature injected into the skin is more comfortable for many people. Also, it may be easier to get rid of air bubbles in the syringe when it is at room temperature.

-If you live in a hot climate and your room temperature is above 80º, keep your insulin in the refrigerator.

-Insulin used past 28 days at room temperature or past the expiration date on the box may still be good. However, using it may cause control problems and is not recommended.

-Lantus, Humalog and Novolog seem to spoil faster than Regular and NPH.


-John
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You beat me to it!!!

But yes he is correct, Insulin could be stored out of the refrigerator but then it gets a 28 day experation. If it has been stored out for 5 hours its ok to put it back into the fridge.
 
Thank you SO MUCH for that very detailed comprehensive post John! I also appreciate your feedback Maniac :)

So if I were to order from an on-line pharmacy, would they ship it with ice packs since it is summer time? I assume my best bet is to continue going to the drug stores locally, but it always gets slightly sketchy when the pharmacist on duty looks at me and sees my thick neck and probably starts to wonder... although it could just be my mind playing tricks on me. It isn't illegal, technically, and doesn't require a script in my state, but it is always like a quick game of cat and mouse when they ask me if I have a script for it and I respond that I've never filled my insulin at their location before and I've never needed a doctor's note.

The things we do to cram more carbs and Creatine into our muscles! ;) Thanks guys!
 
Since we're on the subject and the initial advice was so solid... there is something else I have read varying opinions on I was hoping could be settled. I have seen IM and sub-type injecting practiced advocated for insulin, but many medical sites strongly dissuade patients from injecting into their muscle. It is my understanding that this is merely a cautionary tactic meant to be followed by diabetics to avoid unpredictable insulin peak activity duration; but that it might actually prove advantageous for those using it recreationally for anabolic specific purposes because it speeds up the rapidity of action once injected, correct?

Until I can gather enough educated information and gain a clear perspective I will continue injecting under the skin, and rubbing the area of injection to speed the reaction/activity of the insulin since I cannot easily procure a reliable source for Humalog.
 
HumpTheCook said:
you can get the novalin for 25.

great info in here btw.
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Isn't Novalin a generic counterpart to Humalog; or at least shares it ability to become active extremely fast - thus making it a prescription?

I like Humulin-R because it is so easy to acquire, and so far no pharmacist has given too much of a struggle over selling it to me without a script; legally they have to make it available from what I understand. I would much rather administer Humalog given the choice, but Humulin-R has worked quite well for me, and the 2 hour peak activity allows my post-post workout meal to be very anabolic.

If I was able to procure 100ius of Humulin-R or Novalin for only $25 without a prescription, I'd be all over it - but so far the prices have been much higher than that for me (at pharmacies, I don't feel comfortable ordering insulin from black market suppliers), unless there are generic versions I should be requesting?

EDIT: I found the following explanation on a diabetic forum...

"Novolin (Novo Nordisk) is a slower acting insulin (often starts to work 20+ minutes after injection). NOVOLIN® R INNOLET® Regular, Human Insulin Injection - sometimes called "Regular" There are also Novolin N (look up NPH) and Novolin 70/30 which is a mix of the 2.

Humalog (Lilly) or Novolog (Novo Nordisk) is insulin aspart(analog) (rDNA origin) injection and is a very fast medication, compared with R. Yes it costs more but it is fast enough to take right before a meal and unless your having sticky rice =) , will be able to control most sugar spikes.

there is a HUGE difference in the medications."
 
novolin-r is the same thing as humalin-r. you can buy it at a few major pharmacies but only wal-mart sells it for $25. dirrty cheap, its crazy.
 
HumpTheCook said:
novolin-r is the same thing as humalin-r. you can buy it at a few major pharmacies but only wal-mart sells it for $25. dirrty cheap, its crazy.
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Same thing... for $25, and NO prescription needed just like Humulin-R!?

Alllright, time to get my 'Innocent face' on, and approach the counter once more at Wal Mart ;)

"Oh no, don't mind my 19'' arms... I just need some Novolin-R, cough cough you know for my diabetes (face turns red) no, I don't have my prescription with me."

It is insane that one of the most anabolic substances available costs roughly the same as a multi-vitamin! So long Humulin!!!
 
Outstanding said:
So if I were to order from an on-line pharmacy, would they ship it with ice packs since it is summer time?
Click to expand...

Outstanding said:
I have seen IM and sub-type injecting practiced advocated for insulin, but many medical sites strongly dissuade patients from injecting into their muscle. It is my understanding that this is merely a cautionary tactic meant to be followed by diabetics to avoid unpredictable insulin peak activity duration; but that it might actually prove advantageous for those using it recreationally for anabolic specific purposes because it speeds up the rapidity of action once injected, correct?

Until I can gather enough educated information and gain a clear perspective I will continue injecting under the skin, and rubbing the area of injection to speed the reaction/activity of the insulin since I cannot easily procure a reliable source for Humalog.
Click to expand...

In short...
- Should Insulin be shipped via cold pack through the mail if ordered through an online pharmacy?

- Can Insulin be injected IM safely, in order to increase the rapidity of peak level activity?

- While doing Sub-Q injections, will rubbing the site of injection after administration help the insulin to absorb and become active faster?

- If Insulin is accidentally injected into adipose tissue, and not Sub-Q, will this negate the effects of the shot, or only slow the absorption or overall potency?
 
Outstanding said:
Thank you SO MUCH for that very detailed comprehensive post John! I also appreciate your feedback Maniac :)

So if I were to order from an on-line pharmacy, would they ship it with ice packs since it is summer time? I assume my best bet is to continue going to the drug stores locally, but it always gets slightly sketchy when the pharmacist on duty looks at me and sees my thick neck and probably starts to wonder... although it could just be my mind playing tricks on me. It isn't illegal, technically, and doesn't require a script in my state, but it is always like a quick game of cat and mouse when they ask me if I have a script for it and I respond that I've never filled my insulin at their location before and I've never needed a doctor's note.

The things we do to cram more carbs and Creatine into our muscles! ;) Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

Outstanding said:
In short...
- Should Insulin be shipped via cold pack through the mail if ordered through an online pharmacy?

- Can Insulin be injected IM safely, in order to increase the rapidity of peak level activity?

- While doing Sub-Q injections, will rubbing the site of injection after administration help the insulin to absorb and become active faster?

- If Insulin is accidentally injected into adipose tissue, and not Sub-Q, will this negate the effects of the shot, or only slow the absorption or overall potency?
Click to expand...

No problem; glad to help.

I'll stop back in to answer the rest of your questions when I have a bit more time later on. :)

-John
 
insulin can be shipped no problem. its fine at room tempeture for long periods before it is opened.

they say its important not to rub the injection spot as it will cause unpredicatable absortion. thats my understanding that rubbing is a big no-no.

im not sure bout the last part, i believe just slow it down but im not sure.
 
HumpTheCook said:
insulin can be shipped no problem. its fine at room tempeture for long periods before it is opened.

they say its important not to rub the injection spot as it will cause unpredicatable absortion. thats my understanding that rubbing is a big no-no.

im not sure bout the last part, i believe just slow it down but im not sure.
Click to expand...

Thank you - so as long as it is not at room temp longer than 28 days that's fine? But in the middle of the summer, being shipped and driven in a UPS truck for hours on end, temps can exceed 100 degrees... is that advisable?

Also, once it arrives in the mail or is at room temp for 28 days, once the insulin is refrigerated it shouldn't be taken back out right?
 
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