Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JDavid on January 18, 2011 at 6:51pm

TYPICAL type-2s usually have at least SOME natural insulin. Using injected insulin can in some cases give the pancrease a rest whcih cam help preserve remainning beta cell function.

If you have very high insulin RESISTANCE it can take lots of injected insulin to overcome that insulin resistance. That is WHY some T-2 have to take a LOT of insulin.

Eating TOO LOW on the carbs can cause a person's metabolism rate to decline and actually increase BS level and insulin needs. Balanced meals scatered thru the day are best. Most recomend diabetics limit meals to 45 grams of carbs PLUS a snack of 12-20max) between meals.

Every diabetic is a bit different regardless of type.

Gomer

Permalink Reply by GHOM on January 25, 2011 at 9:46am

Does Lantus lose its effectiveness after 28 days even when kept refrigerated? How about the pen? Does it start to lose its effectiveness when its opened? I get a 90 supply from my mail order company so I definitely have the stuff more than 90 days. I try to keep it all refrigerated until I open it but I think I may have had some open longer than 28 days.

Permalink Reply by JDavid on January 25, 2011 at 10:37am

YES!

Lantus looses its effectiveness after 28 Days after OPENING.

 

So, once OPENED it has a useable life of 28 days..PERIOD. Using beyond 28 days can lead to PROBLEMS with BS levels. Does not matter storage condition or vial/pen, remember the key word is "OPEN". Once the seal is violated, even if you do not use a single unit of the Lantu it is still spoiled after 28 days....

 

Gomer

Permalink Reply by GHOM on January 25, 2011 at 12:43pm

Very helpful. Thanks!

Permalink Reply by gr78core on January 25, 2011 at 12:44pm

I disagree. I see no magic expiration and change in effectiveness after 28 days. I don't refrigerate it and keep it in house ambient temperature. It actually lasts much longer for me. Where does this statement originate. Some folks are challenged with the high cost of Lantus, as with other insulins, and discarding it may not be necessary. I would confirm with other sources before taking this statement at face value. It has been repeated by the same source at this site, not by any other users.

Permalink Reply by Emmy on January 25, 2011 at 4:39pm

I have never seen insulin "spoil". It does have preservatives to prevent this.

It can gradually lose it effectiveness, but that doesn't magically happen on day 28 or 29. It diminishes gradually. The company that makes it will not guarantee it after 28 days, but that doesn't mean it will suddenly become totally ineffective. When I first started insulin and was on a substantially lower dose, I often had a penfil cartridge open for longer than a month with no loss of effectiveness. I don't recommend it, but I've done it and know lots of other people who have too.

Conditions in the room you keep it in also have an impact. If its fairly cool where you keep it, then it will probably be more effective than insulin stored in a warmer location.

Insulin that is subjected to high temperatures or freezing temps is ruined.

If you have insurance I recommend opening a fresh vial after the 4 weeks are up. If you don't, and money is tight, you could try going longer and closely monitoring your numbers to see if its still working well, but talk to your doctor about programs for those on a low income. Some manufacturers will help out in situations like that.

Permalink Reply by JDavid on January 25, 2011 at 5:28pm

Ok OK! ... I will TRY and explain the problem, but it can get a bit complicated, ie harder than READING the drug info sheet that comes with EVERY Rx of Lantus.

 

The 28 days is stated clearly with every vial/cartridge/pen of Lantus, Does anyone bother reading the info sheets that come with Lantus, Humalog and/or ALL their other Rxs?

 

The HUMAN element....... Every diabetic is different. Some have some reserve natural insulin/beta cell capacity (some DO NOT) . IF you are one of these LUCKY diabetics, then a slight decline in Lantus potency may have less of an immediate effect. Your beta cells may have recouperated some durring the time the Lantus was a full strength. In THAT case you MAY be able to use a vial (etc) Lantus an extra day or even a couple days beyond the 28 days.  USING Lantus BEYOND 28 DAYS for many can be RISKY, even life threatening!

 

For most type-1s, you can get into TROUBLE very quickly and risk possable DKA. Using an OPEN container of Lantus beyond 28 days can lead to not only complications, DKA or even a very expensive ER visit or hospitalization!  Very few type-1s have ANY reserve beta cell function to compensate for the weakening Lantus. Some that do have a little reserve, some may be able to get an extra day, others may get 2 or even 3 extra days.

 

For ME. I noticed via my glucometer logs a trend/change when I try using a vial past the 28 day mark. There are time I hae a little LIMITED natural beta cell capacity, and there are time I have NOTHING.  

 

I have tried, with some success adjusting my Lantus dose to compensate. I usually get away with it, BUT, I DO NOT RECOMEND THIS TO ANYONE!

 

Bottom line. use your Lantus past the 29 day mark AT YOUR OWN RISK!

 

Does this HELP anyone here understand the situation and WHY one person can seemingly get away with it and another diabetic CAN NOT? I said seemingly because doing this is RISKY and the piper may collect on this at a later date down the line. 

 

Gomer 

 

 

 

 

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