From Dr. Mark Peterson's excellent endocrinology blog for veterinarians, he weighs on on how long a vial of NPH can be used and whether it should be refrigerated.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
Collapse
X
-
Re: Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
Wow...very interesting article! I didn't know that humans had to leave theirs out at room temp. Just assumed was same for both. I still don't think my vials stay 'fresh' for three months tho. I generally start to see effects anywhere from 4 weeks to 8 weeks out.Shell and Hank (aka Mr. Pickypants) - now deceased (4/29/1999 - 12/4/2015) Cairn Terrier mix who was diagnosed 8/18/2011 and on .75 U Levemir 2Xday. Miss you little man!
-
Re: Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
well i just started using a new vial the old one i got and started using dec 1st 2011 with no loss of potency that i could tell with 3 pokes a day
the reason i kept it so long is because the numbers were so good and then they started to get a bit wacky got a new bottle still wacky so who knows i could have gone longer i guess .Jesse-26 lbs - 16.5 years old ,11 years diabetic, one meal a day homemade and a vitabone snack . 3 shots of Novolin( under the Relion name ) a day . Total insulin for a 24 hour period is 6.5 units of NPH insulin .
Jesse earned her wings on 6/21/2021
Comment
-
Re: Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
I'm a bit of a cheapskate, but think I'll stay with six weeks for NPH. My current usage would be about 2/3 of a vial and think that might be good. I worry about my rolling / mixing technique with "cloudy" insulin like NPH.
I do remember when we were using Vetsulin, and tried to suck every drop out of the vial in a month due to the higher cost. I would wonder if the last injection was the same as the first due to mixing.Annie was an 18 pound Lhasa Apso that crossed the rainbow bridge on 10-5-17. She was nearly 17 years old and diabetic for 9½ years.
Comment
-
Re: Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
I have over the years noticed changes (usually increases in bg) around 4-6 weeks, depending on the bottle.Patty and Ali 13.5yrs 47lbs diagnosed May '08 Ali earned her wings October 27, 2012, 4 months after diagnosis of a meningioma ~ Time is precious ~
Comment
-
Re: Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
I've been swapping O's out at around 30 days. However, I've never noticed anything to indicate the potency has changed at all.
- keep the insulin in the egg compartment on the door. It's inside a plastic cover which lessens any chance of temp extremes.
- mix it gently ... much like a mini cement mixer. Hold the center of the vial in my left hand with my thumb and forefinger and spin it slowly using my right hand 25 times.
- draw the insulin and immediately put the vial back in the fridge.
I believe I'll begin to use all the contents of a vial unless I see evidence that it isn't working properly. It's a shame to waste ~1/3 of a vial every month if it's still good product. Guess I've been like many and just "went with the flow" regarding insulin usage.Last edited by farrwf; 02-21-2012, 08:06 AM.Otis Farrell dx'd 12/10, best friend to his dad, Bill, for over 14 years. Left this world while in his dad’s loving arms 10/04/13. Sonny Farrell dx'd 1/14, adopted 5/15/14. Left this world while in his dad's loving arms 9/06/16. Run pain free, you Pug guys, til we're together again.
Comment
-
Re: Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
Great! That was a ? I had on this site last week or so. I also asked my pharmacist at the hospital I work at and he said keep in the refrig and yes you can use all of it. Plus he is going to match the walmart price for me!!!
I told him I was shaking it in the beginning he said that should be OK since I did it in the very beginning and it was a full vial plus it was cold.---------------------
Cheryl & Lolie Anne 8 yr old min-pin, 14 pds DX 8-25-16
starting Novolin N (now 3 units) Hills w/d canned and dry. Lost Rockey 8-28-13 to diabetes and Lolie was DX the same week 3 yrs later.
Comment
-
Re: Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
Barring drops (which are frequent with me) I generally get insulin and syringes at the same time - so on average I'm using a vial for about 7 weeks. So far I haven't had any problems doing that. Since she's small, I usually end up with about a half vial left at the end of that time.Rowlf - 13-yr-old 15-lb Bichon Frise diagnosed May 2009 - Relion (Humalin) NPH 4.5 units 2x daily - 1/2 cup Royal Canin 2x daily
Comment
-
Re: Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
How do you refrigerate your insulin? Do you put it in its box in the fridge or just put the bottle in the fridge? I always put in the carton then stick in fridge.I have always replaced every 6 weeks. The last bottle I used for around 9 weeks, but started having very high bg's in the last week so I got a new bottle and everything went back to normal. I will stick with replacing the bottle every 6 weeks.Ginger is a 16 pound chihuahua/ minpin mix
5 years old diagnosed June 2011
Uses Novolin N 6 units twice @ day
Natural Balance Reduced Fat Dry mixed with veggies and boiled chicken
Comment
-
Re: Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
I store mine in the box in the middle of the door. I use it until it's at the very end, which is usually about 5-6 weeks. I mark the date on the box each time I open a new bottle.
I also keep my "dregs" bottles in case of an emergency, though I don't know how effective they would be.
I've had one bottle that i felt lost potency toward the end, but it could have been for a myriad of reasons - poor or inconsistent mixing, bad bottle, bad draws, etc. There are so many variables, it's hard to know what might affect potency - or even if a rise in bg is because of a potency issue.Zoe: 12 yr old Black Lab/shepherd mix. Diagnosed 6/1/11. Currently on 15 units Novolin NPH 2x day, and hopefully as close to regulated as possible. Feeding merrick Grain Free Salmon and Sweet Potato. Weight 63lbs.
Comment
-
Re: Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
I keep mine in the box in the door. Once I tossed the box and the little bottle kept falling over.
This way the date I refilled the prescription is on the box so I'm good there.
I usually go about 6 weeks. My last bottle was very very potent (I think) and I was out of town so we went 8 or 9 weeks with it and it worked just fine.
Now that we are down to such a small dose we will be wasting a lot more.Jenny: 6/6/2000 - 11/10/2014 She lived with diabetes and cushings for 3 1/2 years. She was one of a kind and we miss her.
Comment
-
Re: Dr. Peterson on how long vials of NPH can be used
I am using Humulin N insulin. On the insert in the box under the Storage section it says:
Not in-use, (unopened): Humulin N bottles not in-use should be stored in a refrigerator, but not in the freezer.
In-Use (opened): The Humulin N bottle you are currently using can be kept unrefrigerated as long as it is kept as cool as possible [below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C)] away from heat and light.
I was actually happy to read that because I know although it might seem like a small thing, with everything else that has to be done, then recorded, warming the insulin up to room temp before the injection was just one more thing and according to this you don't have to keep it refrigerated.
JudyJudy (and Sadie) ~ 12 yr. old Lab Mix |Weight: 62 lbs |Diabetes Dx (12/28/2011), Pancreatitis 1/2014 | Diet: 1 1/2c Flint River Ranch Senior Plus Formula with 1/2c Boiled chicken + 1/2c broth|Insulin: Novolin N 25 units 2x daily |Meds: Mirtazapine, Pepcid, Sucralfate, Tylan + B12 capsules | Meter: OneTouch Ultra2| BG Range: 150-404mg
Comment
Comment