People with a diagnosis of diabetes should use insulin supplements all the time. Although the disease is dangerous, patients continue to live an active life, subject to measures to reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood with the help of peptide hormone medications. Therapeutic substances are very capricious and sensitive to light and temperature, so it is important to know and follow the rules for storing insulin. This will allow you to use the drug without a health risk, not only at home, but also on travel.
What is insulin?
Insulin is an amino acid hormone that forms in the cells of the endocrine pancreas. It has a diverse effect on metabolism in almost all tissues. The main function of insulin is to reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood, which is an energy source for organisms.
In a healthy body, the secretion of amino acid hormone occurs continuously. With some mental and endocrine diseases, the assimilation of dextrose, which is formed due to complete or relative insulin deficiency, is impaired. This contributes to the development of an increase in the content of monosaccharide in blood plasma (hyperglycemia). Treatment with insulin can normalize carbohydrate metabolism, prevent hyperglycemia and complications of diabetes. Insulin preparations are vital for people with type I diabetes and are used in some situations for type II diabetes.
Types of insulin: short-acting drugs
The widespread use of insulin stimulates the creation of drugs that ensure that the hormone enters the blood at different speeds. Hypoglycemic agents have a different classification, but for the patient, the duration of action is significant.
Short-acting drugs are human genetically engineered insulin prescribed for type I and type II diabetes. Protein-peptide hormones are used both on their own and in combination therapy. The drug is administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, and in some cases, intravenously.
The total duration of action is 4-6 hours, the maximum effect is achieved after 1-3 hours. After opening, the shelf life of insulin is not more than 4 hours, when closed, it is 2 years. The drugs have the following trade names: "Actrapid", "Humulin Regular", "NovoRapid", "Insuman Rapid".
Surfen-Insulin Drugs
Aminomethylquinolyl-urea (Surfen) is a synthetic substance that lengthens the action of insulin and mimics its basal secretion. Under the influence of the component, the solution becomes transparent and acidic. The latter quality causes local skin reactions in the form of redness and irritation.
Indications for use are diabetes in pregnant women, children, insulin resistance, lipodystrophy. The medicine is administered every 8 hours, the onset of action - 1.5 hours after subcutaneous administration. Some names of drugs: "Homofan 100", "Protofan", "Monodar B".
Storage of medium-duration insulin should be carried out according to the instructions - in the refrigerator at t 2-8 ° C. After 2 years, the product is disposed of.
NPH Insulin Group
Hagedorn's Neutral Protamine (NPH) is obtained by adding protamine, zinc, and phosphate buffer to a short insulin solution. The use of drugs is allowed from 2 years, and for some drugs - from 6. Most likely, this is due to many side effects. Such hypoglycemic agents are indicated for lonely and visually impaired people with diabetes who are injected by a patronage nurse.
The shelf life of this group of insulin is 3 years at a temperature of 2-8 ° C. The drug begins to act in 2-4 hours, the duration of action is 16-18 hours. Trade names of the preparation: “Lantus”, “Lantus SoloStar”.
Storage Methods and Rules
Insulin is a drug of organic origin. In order to avoid negative consequences and to preserve all therapeutic properties of the substance, direct sunlight and high temperatures should be avoided. The hormone should not be exposed to temperature extremes.
The period and rules for storage of insulin depend on the type of drug and its duration of action. Substances with short-acting hypoglycemic properties must be used within 4 weeks. And the shelf life of NPH-insulin is 3 years.
But the basic requirements for storage conditions are the same for all types of medicines:
- The drugs should be in the refrigerator at a temperature of +2 to +8 ° C, away from the freezer - in this zone the temperature is lower than required. Do not store in the door, because when closing and opening in this place there is a sharp temperature drop. It is best to place medicines in the compartment (box) for vegetables and fruits.
- Opened cartridges are removed from the refrigerator and stored in a dry, dark place at a constant temperature not exceeding 30 ° C.
- Expired insulin should be immediately discarded so that it is not accidentally used.
- Drugs should not be accessible to children.
Insulin storage at home
According to the instructions, medicines for diabetics after opening cannot be placed in the refrigerator again. In hot weather, insulin storage becomes a big problem. It should be noted right away that a room with an air conditioner is not suitable for holding open bottles due to temperature changes. It is necessary to exclude the kitchen, the bathroom (excessive dampness), the nursery (the child can pour the solution or, even worse, drink it), window sills. It is necessary to find a place where direct sunlight does not fall, where the temperature is relatively constant (plus or minus 1-2 degrees) and does not exceed 30 ° C.
Most patients purchase special containers that support the necessary storage conditions: thermoses, thermobags. If desired, such devices can be made independently using various heat-insulating materials.
Manufacturers are advised to mark the date of first use on the container. If the drug is not used up within four weeks, it must still be disposed of. The fact is that with each puncture, the sterility of the solution is violated, which can contribute to the development of the inflammatory process at the injection site.
The main stock is stored in the refrigerator, but not frozen. The standard temperature for all refrigerators is optimal for long-term storage of hypoglycemic agents.
Rules for storing insulin stocks
People with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus should constantly take hypoglycemic drugs. For convenience, patients try to have some kind of supply of injections. All diabetics are registered in the clinic and they are entitled to free medicines, usually they are prescribed per month. In order not to have to throw away unsuitable preparations, it is necessary to carry out the correct storage of insulin in the refrigerator:
- Closed vials should always be in a place where the temperature is 2-8 ° C.
- Drugs should not move from place to place and be "littered" with products.
- Periodically review expiration dates.
- Unsuitable insulin should be disposed of immediately in accordance with the regulations.
- Children should immediately explain that the drug should not be touched.
Travel Storage
People taking insulin, like the rest, go on business trips, vacation, travel. In order not to look for drugs in pharmacies, they carry with them, so you need to know what requirements you need to follow when transporting hypoglycemic agents.
One of the main conditions for the storage of insulin is temperature, or rather its maintenance. It is necessary to proceed from what place (car, plane, hotel) and how much time the drugs will be outside the refrigerator. There are some tips for different situations:
- You should pre-purchase a thermal container that can maintain the temperature for up to 12 hours.
- When flying, it is better to take the drug in hand luggage, since it is impossible to provide the necessary temperature regime in the luggage compartment.
- In an automobile, the container with insulin should be kept away from the regulators for supplying cold / hot air.
Transport and storage equipment
There are several types of containers that can provide the necessary conditions for the storage of insulin for a short time:
- Rechargeable mini fridge. Keeps temperature necessary for storage of insulin for up to 12 hours.
- Diabetic Case.
- Thermal bag. The average duration of holding the cold is 3-8 hours. In addition to medicine, you can put a device for measuring glucose in the blood in a bag for storing insulin.
- Thermal case for a syringe pen.
- Neoprene case for a syringe pen. Protects from damage, moisture and sunlight.
Reasons Insulin Fails
Insulin is an amino acid hormone. In such substances, any unstable conditions (temperature, ultraviolet radiation) cause changes in physicochemical properties:
- Storage of insulin at high temperatures leads to coagulation (sticking) of the protein, its biological activity is lost.
- Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation (sunlight), a modification of the native conformation of the molecule occurs. The process is irreversible, so if the hypoglycemic agent was in the sun, it is better to throw it away.
- Freezing creates a strong compression, which is directed to proteins and causes their dehydration.
- Under the influence of an electromagnetic field, the protein structure is loosened. Insulin preparations should be kept away from household appliances.
- Prolonged shaking of the solution may promote crystallization of the substance. An exception is NPH insulin.
- One needle can be used only once. Secondary use violates the sterility of the solution.
How to determine that insulin is not suitable
Hypoglycemic agents in most cases have the form of a uniform transparent solution. Long-acting drugs with stirring take the form of a cloudy liquid or milk. These parameters, provided that the expiration date has not expired, indicate that the medication can be used for its intended purpose.
Incorrect storage of insulin, non-compliance with transportation requirements or initially poor quality of the drug lead to its unsuitability. Therefore, in order to avoid negative consequences before use, the solution should be evaluated for features that indicate its unsuitability:
- In the liquid, impurities and flakes are observed.
- When insulin was taken from the vial, the consistency became viscous.
- Change the color of the solution.
- Long-acting preparations form flakes with stirring, white particles adhering to the walls of the cartridge.
Observance of the storage conditions of insulin and actions in accordance with the instructions for use will allow you to get exclusively therapeutic effect from the drug.