Medication Storage in Daily Life
Medication Storage in Daily Life
Insulin (and many other medications) can be kept at room temperature after they are opened for a couple of weeks (or days). Room temperature in this case means: protecting them from freezing and keeping them under 25-30°C/77-86°F.
Depending on where you live in the world, this can be a daily challenge.
Insulin (and many other medications) can be kept at room temperature after they are opened for a couple of weeks (or days). Room temperature in this case means: protecting them from freezing and keeping them under 25-30°C/77-86°F.
Depending on where you live in the world, this can be a daily challenge.
Golden Rules
In moderate climates, you might only start thinking about this in a cold winter or a hot summer. In any case, check out these few simple tips below.
Golden Rules
In moderate climates, you might only start thinking about this in a cold winter or a hot summer. In any case, check out these few simple tips below.
Hot Climate
- Keep your medications out of the sun.
- Use a water activated cool bag to protect from heat.
- Never leave them in a car.
Cold Climate
- Outside: Keep your medications close to the body (inner pocket instead of backpack), don’t leave them in the car or outside.
- Inside: Beware of radiators, ovens and floor heating.
Hot Climate
- Keep your medications out of the sun.
- Use a water activated cool bag to protect from heat.
- Never leave them in a car.
Cold Climate
- Outside: Keep your medications close to the body (inner pocket instead of backpack), don’t leave them in the car or outside.
- Inside: Beware of radiators, ovens and floor heating.
Important Concepts
Important Concepts
#1
Volume Difference
When the volume in vials and pens decreases, they get more sensitive to temperature changes.
#2
Small Closed Containers Heat Up / Cool Down Faster
Remember that a vial, pen or syringe is a small, closed container and will heat up or cool down much faster than, say, a water bottle.
#3
Keep Out of Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight heats things up incredibly fast! You know this from when you’ve kept a water bottle on the dashboard of the car as opposed to in the trunk. The difference between the temperature of an insulin pen in the sun and the shade is significant. Always keep your bag with medications in the shade!
#1
Volume Difference
When the volume in vials and pens decreases, they get more sensitive to temperature changes.
#2
Small Closed Containers Heat Up / Cool Down Faster
Remember that a vial, pen or syringe is a small, closed container and will heat up or cool down much faster than, say, a water bottle.
#3
Keep Out of Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight heats things up incredibly fast! You know this from when you’ve kept a water bottle on the dashboard of the car as opposed to in the trunk. The difference between the temperature of an insulin pen in the sun and the shade is significant. Always keep your bag with medications in the shade!
