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Insulin Safety Tips

If you need to inject insulin to manage your diabetes, take care of your insulin properly. Ask your pharmacist how to safely store and use your insulin medicines and remember these general tips from the American Diabetes Association:

  • Store insulin safely. Keep your extra bottles in the refrigerator, away from very hot or very cold temperatures. Never store insulin in the freezer or in direct sunlight.

  • In general, after you open a bottle, don’t keep it for more than 28 days. The cartridges of some insulin pens may need to be discarded after as few as 10 days at room temperature.

  • Before you open a new bottle, check the date that is printed on it. Do not use the insulin if it is past its expiration date.

 

 

Publication Source: StayWell Publications/Spring 2006
Author: Perry, Joan
Online Source: American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/insulin.jsp
Online Source: American Diabetes Association http://forecast.diabetes.org/magazine/features/happy-campers
Online Source: American Diabetes Association http://forecast.diabetes.org/magazine/ask-experts/freezing-insulin-injection-changes
Online Source: American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medication/insulin/insulin-storage-and-syringe.html
Online Editor: Louise Akin RN BSN
Online Editor: Sinovic, Dianna
Online Medical Reviewer: Gaskin, Kelley RN, MSN, CPNP
Online Medical Reviewer: Louise Akin, RN, BSN
Date Last Reviewed: 10/4/2009
Date Last Modified: 10/5/2008