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How to Store Insulin

Peer reviewed Updated
Cite this article
AMA
MD A.. How to Store Insulin. My Endo Consult. Published January 25, 2022. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://myendoconsult.com/learn/how-to-store-insulin/
APA
MD A. (2022). How to Store Insulin. My Endo Consult. https://myendoconsult.com/learn/how-to-store-insulin/
Vancouver
MD A.. How to Store Insulin [Internet]. My Endo Consult; January 25, 2022 [cited October 15, 2026]. Available from: https://myendoconsult.com/learn/how-to-store-insulin/
BibTeX
@online{myendoconsult4406853,
  author = {Akuffo Quarde, MD},
  title  = {How to Store Insulin},
  organization = {My Endo Consult},
  year   = {2022},
  url    = {https://myendoconsult.com/learn/how-to-store-insulin/},
  urldate = {October 15, 2026}
}

All unopened insulin should be kept in the refrigerator at 36°- 46°F (2.2°-7.7°C). Once insulin is in use, it should be kept at room temperature (less than 86°F/30°C). If insulin is not stored properly, it may not work effectively, which could cause unpredictable glucose values.

insuln storage

• Check the expiration date (before opened).

• Check the use-by date (after opened).

• Insulin will spoil if it gets above 90°F (32.2°C) or if it freezes.

• Insulin bottles and pens should not be left in a car.

• Cooling packs are available for traveling.

When should insulin be discarded?

These are signs that insulin has gone bad and should be discarded.

• Clumps of insulin are sticking to the side of the bottle.

• Clear, rapid-acting insulin becomes cloudy.

• The insulin is past the expiration date.

Optimal Duration of Storage of various Insulins

SANOFI AVENTISHOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Insulin glulisine (Apidra) pen or vial*28 days
Insulin lispro (Admelog) pen or vial28 days
Glargine (Lantus) pen or vial28 days
Glargine U300 (Toujeo) pen42 days
Glargine/Lixisenatide (Soliqua)14 days

  NOVO NORDISK  HOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Novolin R vial*42 days
Novolin N vial*42 days
Novolin 70/30 vial*42 days
Novolin 70/30 pen10 days
Aspart (Novolog) Mix 70/30 pen Aspart (Novolog) Mix 70/30 vial14 days 28 days
Aspart (Novolog) pen or vial28 days
Aspart (Fiasp) pen or vial28 days
Determir (Levemir) pen or vial*42 days
Degludec (Tresiba) pen (U100 or U200)56 days
Degludec/Liraglutide (Xultophy)21 days

* These insulins must be stored below 77°F (25°C)

  ELI LILLYHOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Humulin R vial (U 100)31 days
Humulin N pen or vial14 days
Humulin 70/30 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) Mix 50/50 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) Mix 75/25 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) pen or vial (U 100)28 days
Lispro U200 (Humalog) pen28 days
Humulin R U500 pen or vial28 days
Giargine (Basaglar) pen28 days

• Examine your insulin. If it does not look right, do not use it.

• Check the expiration date (before opened).

• Check the use-by date (after opened).

• Insulin will spoil if it gets above 90°F (32.2°C) or if it freezes.

• Insulin bottles and pens should not be left in a car.

• Cooling packs are available for traveling.

When should insulin be discarded?

These are signs that insulin has gone bad and should be discarded.

• Clumps of insulin are sticking to the side of the bottle.

• Clear, rapid-acting insulin becomes cloudy.

• The insulin is past the expiration date.

Optimal Duration of Storage of various Insulins

SANOFI AVENTISHOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Insulin glulisine (Apidra) pen or vial*28 days
Insulin lispro (Admelog) pen or vial28 days
Glargine (Lantus) pen or vial28 days
Glargine U300 (Toujeo) pen42 days
Glargine/Lixisenatide (Soliqua)14 days

  NOVO NORDISK  HOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Novolin R vial*42 days
Novolin N vial*42 days
Novolin 70/30 vial*42 days
Novolin 70/30 pen10 days
Aspart (Novolog) Mix 70/30 pen Aspart (Novolog) Mix 70/30 vial14 days 28 days
Aspart (Novolog) pen or vial28 days
Aspart (Fiasp) pen or vial28 days
Determir (Levemir) pen or vial*42 days
Degludec (Tresiba) pen (U100 or U200)56 days
Degludec/Liraglutide (Xultophy)21 days

* These insulins must be stored below 77°F (25°C)

  ELI LILLYHOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Humulin R vial (U 100)31 days
Humulin N pen or vial14 days
Humulin 70/30 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) Mix 50/50 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) Mix 75/25 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) pen or vial (U 100)28 days
Lispro U200 (Humalog) pen28 days
Humulin R U500 pen or vial28 days
Giargine (Basaglar) pen28 days

• Be sure to prepare your insulin as instructed.

• Examine your insulin. If it does not look right, do not use it.

• Check the expiration date (before opened).

• Check the use-by date (after opened).

• Insulin will spoil if it gets above 90°F (32.2°C) or if it freezes.

• Insulin bottles and pens should not be left in a car.

• Cooling packs are available for traveling.

When should insulin be discarded?

These are signs that insulin has gone bad and should be discarded.

• Clumps of insulin are sticking to the side of the bottle.

• Clear, rapid-acting insulin becomes cloudy.

• The insulin is past the expiration date.

Optimal Duration of Storage of various Insulins

SANOFI AVENTISHOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Insulin glulisine (Apidra) pen or vial*28 days
Insulin lispro (Admelog) pen or vial28 days
Glargine (Lantus) pen or vial28 days
Glargine U300 (Toujeo) pen42 days
Glargine/Lixisenatide (Soliqua)14 days

  NOVO NORDISK  HOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Novolin R vial*42 days
Novolin N vial*42 days
Novolin 70/30 vial*42 days
Novolin 70/30 pen10 days
Aspart (Novolog) Mix 70/30 pen Aspart (Novolog) Mix 70/30 vial14 days 28 days
Aspart (Novolog) pen or vial28 days
Aspart (Fiasp) pen or vial28 days
Determir (Levemir) pen or vial*42 days
Degludec (Tresiba) pen (U100 or U200)56 days
Degludec/Liraglutide (Xultophy)21 days

* These insulins must be stored below 77°F (25°C)

  ELI LILLYHOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Humulin R vial (U 100)31 days
Humulin N pen or vial14 days
Humulin 70/30 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) Mix 50/50 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) Mix 75/25 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) pen or vial (U 100)28 days
Lispro U200 (Humalog) pen28 days
Humulin R U500 pen or vial28 days
Giargine (Basaglar) pen28 days

• Make sure the type of insulin you received is what your health care provider ordered.

• Be sure to prepare your insulin as instructed.

• Examine your insulin. If it does not look right, do not use it.

• Check the expiration date (before opened).

• Check the use-by date (after opened).

• Insulin will spoil if it gets above 90°F (32.2°C) or if it freezes.

• Insulin bottles and pens should not be left in a car.

• Cooling packs are available for traveling.

When should insulin be discarded?

These are signs that insulin has gone bad and should be discarded.

• Clumps of insulin are sticking to the side of the bottle.

• Clear, rapid-acting insulin becomes cloudy.

• The insulin is past the expiration date.

Optimal Duration of Storage of various Insulins

SANOFI AVENTISHOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Insulin glulisine (Apidra) pen or vial*28 days
Insulin lispro (Admelog) pen or vial28 days
Glargine (Lantus) pen or vial28 days
Glargine U300 (Toujeo) pen42 days
Glargine/Lixisenatide (Soliqua)14 days

  NOVO NORDISK  HOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Novolin R vial*42 days
Novolin N vial*42 days
Novolin 70/30 vial*42 days
Novolin 70/30 pen10 days
Aspart (Novolog) Mix 70/30 pen Aspart (Novolog) Mix 70/30 vial14 days 28 days
Aspart (Novolog) pen or vial28 days
Aspart (Fiasp) pen or vial28 days
Determir (Levemir) pen or vial*42 days
Degludec (Tresiba) pen (U100 or U200)56 days
Degludec/Liraglutide (Xultophy)21 days

* These insulins must be stored below 77°F (25°C)

  ELI LILLYHOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Humulin R vial (U 100)31 days
Humulin N pen or vial14 days
Humulin 70/30 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) Mix 50/50 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) Mix 75/25 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) pen or vial (U 100)28 days
Lispro U200 (Humalog) pen28 days
Humulin R U500 pen or vial28 days
Giargine (Basaglar) pen28 days

• Make sure the type of insulin you received is what your health care provider ordered.

• Be sure to prepare your insulin as instructed.

• Examine your insulin. If it does not look right, do not use it.

• Check the expiration date (before opened).

• Check the use-by date (after opened).

• Insulin will spoil if it gets above 90°F (32.2°C) or if it freezes.

• Insulin bottles and pens should not be left in a car.

• Cooling packs are available for traveling.

When should insulin be discarded?

These are signs that insulin has gone bad and should be discarded.

• Clumps of insulin are sticking to the side of the bottle.

• Clear, rapid-acting insulin becomes cloudy.

• The insulin is past the expiration date.

Optimal Duration of Storage of various Insulins

SANOFI AVENTISHOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Insulin glulisine (Apidra) pen or vial*28 days
Insulin lispro (Admelog) pen or vial28 days
Glargine (Lantus) pen or vial28 days
Glargine U300 (Toujeo) pen42 days
Glargine/Lixisenatide (Soliqua)14 days

  NOVO NORDISK  HOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Novolin R vial*42 days
Novolin N vial*42 days
Novolin 70/30 vial*42 days
Novolin 70/30 pen10 days
Aspart (Novolog) Mix 70/30 pen Aspart (Novolog) Mix 70/30 vial14 days 28 days
Aspart (Novolog) pen or vial28 days
Aspart (Fiasp) pen or vial28 days
Determir (Levemir) pen or vial*42 days
Degludec (Tresiba) pen (U100 or U200)56 days
Degludec/Liraglutide (Xultophy)21 days

* These insulins must be stored below 77°F (25°C)

  ELI LILLYHOW LONG IN-USE INSULIN LASTS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Humulin R vial (U 100)31 days
Humulin N pen or vial14 days
Humulin 70/30 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) Mix 50/50 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) Mix 75/25 pen or vial10 days
Lispro (Humalog) pen or vial (U 100)28 days
Lispro U200 (Humalog) pen28 days
Humulin R U500 pen or vial28 days
Giargine (Basaglar) pen28 days

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