Some drugs widely used to treat systemic autoinflammatory illnesses must not only be refrigerated, but they must also be stored at a specific temperature range. Although travelling with drugs requires more planning, it should not prohibit you from travelling.
Check the information leaflet for your medication to discover the best temperature range. If you do not have this information, contact your pharmacist or the patient support number indicated on the drug box. Biological drugs typically require a very particular and tight temperature range to be maintained. Make a note of this temperature range and keep it with you so you don’t forget.
Use a Medication Travel Cooler or Insulated Medication Bag. Keep the medication in a cooler with ice packs or gel packs inside. Pre-freezed ice packs or gel packs are preferable to ice because they will not turn to water and contaminate your prescription. However, ice can be used when necessary. Place the packs in sealed freezer bags in case they leak. If you must use ice, place it in freezer bags as well.
You may not have access to ice or a freezer to refreeze your gel packs in some instances. If you can’t get ice, a decent backup plan is to buy frozen fruits and veggies to keep in your cooler.
Medication Packing Place the drug in its original box with the prescription label in a freezer bag. This keeps your medications from being moist or wet inside the cooler. Pack enough medication and supplies to last the journey plus a few extra days in case your travels are delayed.
A cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain for products that require a specified temperature range during delivery and storage, such as medications, vaccines, and blood products.
The cold chain is required to keep chemicals potent while they are in transit. Products that are sensitive to fluctuations in humidity and light, in addition to temperature, should be included in the category of those requiring a cold chain. Products that have not been kept at the proper temperature and under the proper conditions are deemed hazardous for use.
Here are some cooling tips to keep your drugs at the proper temperature.
- If your home becomes too hot, place your prescriptions in a cooler with some gel packs (store the gel packs in the freezer before use), and replace the gel packs with fresh cold ones when they are no longer chilly to the touch. Because of their mild temperature reducing effect and decreased humidity, gel packs are chosen over ice.
- If you are flying, bring your medications with you instead of putting them in your checked luggage. (Always a good idea due to the potential of missing luggage). For additional information about avoiding difficulties during domestic travel, see the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority at http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca. International tourists should bring medicines in their original containers with Canadian pharmacy labels in order to pass through Customs inspections more easily.
- If you’re bringing additional insulin that has to be refrigerated, check with the airlines to see if they offer in-flight pharmaceutical refrigeration. If they do not, pharmaceutical travel coolers can be purchased. Inside a small cooler, gel packs (keep gel packs in the fridge before use) can be an ideal alternative. For lengthier trips, you can request that the airline crew re-warm the gel packs. Directly storing your drugs against ice may cause them to become too cold and freeze. Gel packs are permitted in your carry-on as long as your medication requires refrigeration.
- When travelling by car, do not keep drugs in the trunk or glove compartment. Keep them with you in the car. Do not leave children in the car for long periods of time. Use a travel pharmaceutical cooler or gel packs inside a cooler for prolonged periods of travel where refrigeration is essential, or invest in a 12-volt fridge that can be connected into the car.
- If you need to inject insulin while being outside for an extended period of time when the temperature is near or above 300 degrees Celsius, you must keep your insulin and testing strips cool. Insulin coolers are an excellent solution, and they are widely available on the internet.
Summer is a fantastic season to be outside or go on a road trip. Don’t allow the summer heat prevent you from carrying your diabetes medicine and supplies with you when you go out. Just make sure you take the proper precautions to keep your diabetes equipment cool in the heat.
Saxenda Storage
Refrigerate the liraglutide pen before using it for the first time. Do not become paralysed. Liraglutide can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator after the first usage. Keep away from direct sunshine and heat. Even if some medicine remains in the pen after 30 days, discard it. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and dogs.
Unless otherwise directed, do not flush drugs or pour them down the drain. When this product has expired or is no longer needed, properly dispose of it. Consult your chemist or a waste removal firm in your area.
Trulicity storage requirements
BEFORE THE FIRST USE: Trulicity should be kept in the refrigerator (between 36°F and 46°F or 2°C and 8°C) until used.
AFTER THE FIRST USE: After the first use of a Trulicity pen or Trulicity prefilled syringe, it can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature (between 59°F and 86°F or 15°C to 30°C) for up to 14 days. This 14-day room temperature exposure may be done in a single 14-day exposure or in consecutive 14-day exposures. The number of room temperature exposures is unlimited as long as the total time does not exceed 14 days (336 hours).
It is crucial to note that Trulicity is temperature sensitive. When a prefilled syringe or pen is exposed to temperatures above 86°F (30°C), it might go bad and become unsafe.
Trulicity should not be frozen. When exposed to severe temperatures, truth can be harmed. It should not be stored in a very hot or cold environment. Trulicity should not be stored in the bathroom or near a washbasin since it may be exposed to moisture.
It is critical to follow your healthcare provider’s or chemist’s storage guidelines. Trulicity should not be used if it has been left at room temperature for more than 14 days, if it has been frozen, or if the expiration date has passed. You must use a new pen or prefilled syringe. If you have any questions regarding how to store Trulicity, speak with your doctor or chemist.
Trulicity can be refrigerated for how long?
Trulicity should be kept in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C) until it expires.
Is Victoza have to be refrigerated?
- The Victoza (liraglutide) should be kept refrigerated at 36oF to 46oF (2oC to 8oC) until you use it for the first time. Place the pen away from the refrigerator’s cooling element, as it may become too cold or freeze.
- After the initial usage, you can store the pen at room temperature (59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) or in the refrigerator. When not in use, keep the pen cap on.
- If you keep your pen at the right temperature, it will last for 30 days.
Do not freeze the Victoza pen, and do not use it if it has already been frozen. Also, keep it away from direct sunshine and extreme heat, and don’t leave it in the car.
After each injection, always remove and safely dispose the needle, and store the Victoza pen without the needle attached. Storing without the needle reduces the risk of contamination, infection, and leakage while also ensuring a precise dose.
To avoid infection, use a new needle for each injection.
What happens if I don’t keep my Victoza pen in the refrigerator?
After the initial use of your Victoza pen or if it is left out of the refrigerator, it should be thrown after 30 days, even if there is still medicine in the pen. Victoza, on the other hand, should be discarded immediately if it has been exposed to temperatures above 86oF (30°C).
If you keep your Victoza pen refrigerated and do not use it, it is good until the expiration date indicated on the pen or box.
Is Ozempic have to be refrigerated?
Keep your unopened Ozempic pens in the fridge between 36°F and 46°F (2°C – 8°C).
After the initial usage, Ozempic can be stored at ambient temperature (below 86°F (30°C) or refrigerated. It must be used within 56 days at the most.
How long does Ozempic last?
Unopened Ozempic that have been properly stored in the fridge and have not had the cold chain broken are good until their expiration dates. The expiration date is printed on the pen and/or the carton box.
Ozempic pens are only valid for up to 56 days once opened or unrefrigerated. Throw away any pen that has been open or out of the fridge for more than 56 days, even if it still contains medication.
Ozempic pens are no longer safe to use and should be discarded if exposed to temperatures exceeding 86°F (30°C) for extended periods of time.
What happens if Ozempic is not kept in the refrigerator?
Ozempic can be stored at room temperature for up to 56 days. If it has been kept unrefrigerated for an extended period of time, it should be discarded. According to laboratory tests, Ozempic loses its effectiveness after 56 days and will no longer assist you lower your blood sugar levels.
Even when not in the fridge, Ozempic should be kept away from excessive temperatures. Ozempic can go bad if exposed to temperatures above 86°F (30°C). Its effectiveness is no longer guaranteed. If you reside in an area where it gets that hot, you should absolutely consider transporting your prescription in a medical-grade cooler.
Injecting yourself with contaminated Ozempic can have serious repercussions.
What about a frozen Ozempic?
Ozempic, like Insulin and Victoza, must never be frozen. Ozempic is a water-based solution. The active component, semaglutide, is dissolved in water. Ozempic, like water, freezes and solidifies at 32°F (0°C). The solution degrades once it is frozen. It never regains its previous efficiency. Ozempic is no longer safe to use after it has frozen, even if it has thawed. You should toss it away right soon and acquire a new pen.
Is Lantus required to be refrigerated?
- Lantus should be kept chilled between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C) before usage.
- Lantus can be stored in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C) or at room temperature for up to 28 days after the first use.
- Lantus should not be frozen.
Can Lantus be kept out of the refrigerator?
Lantus vials can be stored in a refrigerator from 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) or at room temperature below 86°F (30°C) for up to 28 days after the first use.
After their first usage, Lantus SoloStar pens should not be refrigerated and should be kept at room temperature below 86°F (30°C). They will keep for up to 28 days at room temperature.
Keep your Lantus vial or SoloStar pen out of the automobile. Lantus, like other diabetes drugs such as Levemir (insulin detemir), Toujeo SoloStar (insulin glargine), Basaglar (insulin glargine), and Apidra (insulin glulisine), is extremely sensitive to cold and heat.
Is Humalog have to be refrigerated?
Humalog (insulin lispro) should be refrigerated (36° to 46°F [2° to 8°C]) until opened, but not frozen. If your Humalog has not been opened, you can keep it in the refrigerator until the expiration date.
Once your Humalog vial, cartridge, or prefilled pen has been used, it can be stored at room temperature for 28 days (below 86°F (30°C). Even if it still contains Humalog, you must destroy it after 28 days.
After opening, multi-dose vials can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 28 days, however cartridges and pens cannot.
Humalog should not be stored in the freezer and should not be used if it has been frozen. Keep your Humalog away from direct heat and light, and use it before the expiration date.
Humalog is a human insulin with a short half-life that is used to enhance blood sugar control in adults and people with diabetes. Fast-acting insulin (also known as rapid-acting insulin) is quickly absorbed and begins to operate to lower blood sugar levels after a meal in about 15 minutes.
Infusion bags made with Humalog U-100 are stable when stored in a refrigerator (2° to 8°C [36° to 46°F]) for 48 hours and can then be used at room temperature for an additional 48 hours.
Eli Lilly and Company manufactures Humalog, a brand name for the active component insulin lispro.
Bottom line
- Humalog (insulin lispro) should be kept in the refrigerator (36° to 46°F [2° to 8°C]) until opened, but not frozen.
- Once your Humalog vial, cartridge, or prefilled pen has been used, it can be stored at room temperature for 28 days (below 86°F (30°C).
- Even if it still contains Humalog, you must discard it after 28 days.
Is Novolog have to be refrigerated?
The drug inside Novolog is sensitive to heat and light, regardless of the form it is taken in (vials or pens). Novolog, like all insulins, must be stored in the refrigerator.
All insulins are man-made proteins that deteriorate quickly if not properly preserved. When Novolog begins to spoil, it progressively loses its efficacy and becomes partially or completely ineffective at lowering blood sugars.
As a result, knowing how to properly store your Novolog, vials, or premixed insulin is critical. It will eventually affect your diabetes management.
Storage Instructions for Novolog
According to Novo Nordisk, the Novolog Flexpen’s manufacturer, the Novolog PenFill cartridges and Novolog vials must be stored as follows:
- Unused pens, cartridges, or vials must be stored in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C – 8°C) or at room temperature for up to 28 days.
- For up to 28 days, Novolog vials must be kept at room temperature (max 86°F (30°C)) or refrigerated.
- FlexPen and PenFill cartridges in use must be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days. After opened, these should not be returned to the refrigerator.
Furthermore, all Novolog containers must be shielded from light both before and after opening.
Instructions for storing Novolog
Novolog Mix 70/30 insulin comes in 10 mL vials and the FlexPen injection device. Each has its own set of storing instructions.
Novolog Mix 70/30 FlexPens should not be chilled before use. Instead, they must be stored at ambient temperature for up to 14 days at 86°F (30°C). Novolog Mix 70/30 FlexPens can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 14 days after opening.
Unused Novolog Mix 70/30 vials must be kept in the refrigerator at temperatures ranging from 36°F to 46°F (2°C – 8°C) until their expiration date. They can also be kept at room temperature for 28 days.
How Long Does Novolog Last After Opening?
Except for the Novolog Mix 70/30 FlexPens, which must be used within 14 days of opening, Novolog is good for 28 days after opening.
Once a vial or pen of Novolog has been opened and used over these 28 days, it can be kept at room temperature, below 86°F (30°C). Although refrigeration is not required, direct sunshine, high heat, and cold temperatures must be avoided.
It is critical to dispose of unneeded insulin after 28 days, even if some remains in the vial or pen. This is due to the fact that the efficacy and safety of Novolog cannot be assured beyond this time range. As a result, we recommend putting the date of opening on the vial or pen and keeping track of it.
A Novolog Flextouch pen should not be used if it has been exposed to temperatures outside of the approved range.
