How long can Humulin be unrefrigerated?
- Humulin can be left unrefrigerated at room temperature (86°F [30°C]) for up to 31 days.
- Humulin is the brand name for four different types of insulin, each with a different speed of effect and length of time they work for. These are Humulin R, Humulin N, Humulin 50:50 and Humulin 70:30.
Humulin is a brand name for insulin that is made by Eli Lilly and Company.
Insulin is a hormone that is produced naturally in our bodies. Its main role is to allow cells throughout the body to uptake glucose (sugar) and convert it into a form that can be used by these cells for energy. Without insulin, we cannot survive, and death from diabetes was a common occurrence until insulin was discovered in the early 1900s by Frederick Banting and Charles Best.
Humulin that is unopened and not currently being used should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C), but not frozen.
Opened Humulin may be kept out of the refrigerator as long as it is kept as cool as possible (and definitely below 86°F [30°C]), away from heat and light, and used within 31 days.
If not used within 31 days, the vials/pens should be thrown away, even if they still contain some Humulin.
Do not use Humulin after its expiry date or if it has been frozen, stored above 86°F [30°C]), or kept out of the fridge for more than 31 days.
Once Humulin has been unrefrigerated, it should not be put back in the fridge again.
There are several different types of Humulin and each one has been made to last for a specific length of time, for example:
- Humulin R: Short-acting insulin
- Humulin N: Intermediate-acting insulin
- Humulin 50/50: A combination of 50% intermediate-acting insulin and 50% short-acting insulin
- Humulin 70/30: A combination of 70% intermediate-acting insulin and 30% short-acting insulin Humulin L and Humulin U have been discontinued.
Different insulins that work for different lengths of time are needed so that the natural release of insulin by the body in response to food is better replicated.
Related questions
References
- Humulin R. Lilly. https://www.drugs.com/pro/humulin-r.html
- Types of Insulin: What to Use and When? One-Touch https://www.onetouch.ca/diabetes-resources/insulin-therapy/types-of-insulin
- Humulin 50:50 https://www.drugs.com/pro/humulin-50-50.html
- Humulin N Lilly https://www.drugs.com/pro/humulin-n.html
Read next
Is Trulicity a form of insulin?
Trulicity is not a form of insulin, it mimics the effects of GLP-1 a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates insulin secretion. Trulicity is only suitable for people with type 2 diabetes who still have functioning insulin-producing cells in their pancreas. Continue reading
What are the different types of insulin?
Insulins are usually grouped as fast-acting, intermediate-acting, or long-acting. Within these groups, they can be further classified as human insulin and human insulin analogs. An insulin analog is a human insulin that has one or two amino acids changed which affects how quickly it is absorbed after injection and how fast or slow it acts. Insulin analogs are usually given within 15 minutes of a meal or at the same time as food. Continue reading
When does insulin lispro peak / how long does it last?
Lispro peaks 30 to 90 minutes after administration and lasts for less than five hours (usually two to four hours). Continue reading
Related medical questions
- What is insulin icodec?
- What type of insulin is Humalog?
- Is Toujeo a fast or long-acting insulin?
- How fast does insulin lispro work?
- Is Admelog fast-acting insulin?
- Levemir vs Lantus: What's the difference?
- What is the difference between regular insulin and lispro (Humalog)?
- Humalog vs Novolog (Novalog): What's the difference?
- Are Humulin and Humalog the same thing?
- Toujeo vs Tresiba - What's the difference between them?
- Are glucagon and glycogen the same thing?
- Humulin N vs Humulin R - What's the difference?
- Is Novolin the same as Humulin?
- Does Tresiba cause weight gain?
- Is Humulin fast or long-acting insulin?
- When is the best time to administer Humalog insulin?
- How long does Humulin last?
- Insulin vs Glucagon - What do they have in common?
- When does NPH insulin peak?
- What's the buzz on Ozempic and Wegovy?
- Which type of insulin has the longest duration of action?
- Is Tresiba a long acting insulin?
- Can regular and lispro insulin (Humalog) be mixed?
- Can Admelog (insulin lispro) be used in insulin pumps?
- Is NPH a long acting insulin?
- What kind of insulin is NPH?
- How does diazoxide slow insulin?
- How do you use the GlucaGen hypokit?
- What is Diabetes?
- Is a Continuous Glucose Monitor right for me?
Related support groups
- Insulin (85 questions, 223 members)
- Humulin N (10 questions, 9 members)
- Insulin Regular (8 questions, 9 members)
- Insulin Isophane (6 questions, 3 members)
- Humulin R (6 questions, 13 members)
- Humulin 50/50 (4 questions, 3 members)
- Humulin 70/30 (4 questions, 4 members)
- Diabetes, Type 2 (464 questions, 1,414 members)
- Diabetes, Type 1 (82 questions, 143 members)