LogFAQs > #908617276

Lilly recommends using an opened bottle of Humulin R for 4 weeks, Humalog for 4 weeks, and Humulin N for only 1 week, whether refrigerated or at room temperature. Humalog Mix 75/25, Humulin 70/30, and Humulin N cartridges can be used for 710 days

hm.

Indeed, the comprehensive, well-written, and up-to-date American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) Diabetes Guidelines do not refer to the issue of storage of an opened vial or cartridge at all, either as an issue for the physician to be aware of or as a point of discussion with patients as part of their self-management

oh.

In a private communication with a staff pharmacist at Novo Nordisk, I received the following message: If human insulin vials that are stored under refrigeration are used beyond 30 days, the stability of human insulin vials is dependent upon a number of factors in addition to temperature [sic]. These factors include the number of injections per day, volume of insulin remaining in the vial, exposure to light, agitation, and technique used for dose preparation. The impact of these factors is difficult to measure and the health professional should advise patients on an individual basis concerning long-term storage of opened insulin vials when refrigerated.

An exam review for pharmacists lists the expiration date for opened vials of Humalog as 4 weeks, but other vials of human insulin are listed as 30 days unrefrigerated and 3 months refrigerated. Cartridges of R and Lispro are listed as stable for 4 weeks and 70/30 or N for 1 week (5).

I dare say that most physicians are not aware of the potency of the various insulins once a cartridge or vial is opened. This is probably due to a combination of reasons: contradictory information in print (as illustrated above), lack of adequate dissemination of this information, and lack of real data on this subject.

right, i knew there was a reason i don't really know how expiration works, and it's because no one else does either.

unopened vials, however, are good for at least a year, though, except when they are not.
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