Refrigerating insulin is important to maintain its effectiveness before use. Although most people with diabetes understand the importance of storing insulin at the right temperature, there is still confusion about whether it is safe to inject cold insulin.
So let's finally answer this crucial question: "Can cold insulin be injected straight from the refrigerator? And most importantly, what happens if you do it?
Can you inject cold insulin?
While unopened insulin pens, vials and cartridges should be kept refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C, it is not recommended to inject insulin straight from the refrigerator. Cold insulin may increase pain or discomfort during injection. It is more a matter of convenience than safety, as cold insulin is just as effective as insulin at room temperature, so if cold insulin is the only option available, you can safely inject it.
Why is injecting cold insulin more painful?
When insulin is injected directly from the refrigerator, some people report a stinging or burning sensation at the injection site . Generally, this type of discomfort only lasts for a few seconds or minutes.
There are several reasons why injecting cold insulin may be more painful. First, the liquid may be more viscous or thicker than insulin that has been stored at room temperature. The cold may also cause the tissue at the injection site to react and contract, resulting in increased resistance and pain during the injection.
Another explanation could be that cold insulin takes longer to be absorbed into the bloodstream , causing greater discomfort to the patient. However, there is no study on this specific point.
Is cold insulin less effective?
Cold insulin that has been stored at the recommended refrigerator temperature between 2°C and 8°C is no less effective. On the contrary, refrigeration is the only way to maintain and prolong the effectiveness of insulin.
However , please note that insulin loses its effectiveness when exposed to extremely cold temperatures . When frozen, the insulin solution forms crystals that break down the molecule. Once frozen, insulin can no longer be used, even if it is thawed afterwards. So make sure your insulin does not freeze ! The freezing point of insulin is the same as that of water: 0°C.
For safety reasons, insulin should never be exposed to temperatures below 2°C. That's why our insulin travel cooler bags are equipped with anti-freeze protection!
Should you warm insulin before injecting
If you take a new insulin ampoule or pen directly from the refrigerator, you can gently warm it to avoid pain during the injection.
Roll the ampoule or pen between your palms or leave it at room temperature for a few minutes before injecting. However, never heat the insulin in any other way, such as in the microwave or with hot water, as it can spoil quickly at high temperatures!
Why should insulin be kept refrigerated?
All types and brands of insulin, including Lantus, Novolog, Humalog, Levemir and others, should be stored in the refrigerator before first use. Effectiveness and ability to lower blood sugar levels is impaired.
Insulin is a protein hormone that quickly becomes unstable and degrades in heat or extreme cold, compromising its effectiveness and ability to lower blood sugar levels.
It is essential to follow the insulin manufacturer's storage instructions. Otherwise, the quality of your injections and thus the success of your therapy and diabetes management can be seriously compromised.
How long does insulin last without refrigeration?
Fortunately, most insulins are flexible, as they can be left unrefrigerated for several days or weeks after opening. For example:
- Lantus, Novolog and Humalog have a shelf life of 28 days at room temperature (below 30 °C).
- Levemir can be stored at room temperature for up to 42 days.
- Premixed insulins can generally only be stored unrefrigerated for 7 to 14 days.
How to avoid pain when injecting insulin?
Insulin syringes and needles have improved significantly in recent years. Today's needles are much smaller and thinner than before and have sharper and better lubricated tips.
Unfortunately, some people never get used to insulin injections and still suffer from pain and discomfort.
In addition to being able to bring cold insulin to room temperature , some tips can help reduce pain and discomfort during injection:
- Choose the right insulin needle size
- Use insulin pen needles or syringes only once.
- Gently massage the injection site before injecting.
- Change injection site before each injection
- Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle with a quick motion.
- Dry skin before injection
- Relax and breathe deeply
- Consider using injection devices to reduce pain, such as the I-Port Advanced from Medtronic or the ShotBlocker from Bionix.
We would love to hear from you!
Do you find insulin injections painful? Have you noticed that injecting cold insulin straight from the refrigerator is more painful?
