For those who are on insulin, if you are going to be away from home during a time you will be needing an injection, how do you handle that? Since it's supposed to stay refrigerated, if you aren't going to have access to one, what do you do?

From what I have been told and read once you open a vial or "pen" of insulin it does not need to be kept in the fridge. It is good for 28 days. You need to keep it below 85 degrees (I think). I carry my pen with me in my purse and use it away from home daily and have not had any problems. The insulin you are not using how ever needs to be kept in the fridge until you "open" it. The pen makes it much easier to use away from home than a standard syringe and vial plus it hurts a LOT less. With the pen needle tips you do not need to "pinch up" and you really don't feel a thing!

Exactly. Insulin, once it's opened, is good for a month. I have used it longer than that and not had a problem, but officially you have a month. And that is with or without refrigeration.

Cora

Insulin is always basically fine unless it got over 90 degrees. The whole refridgeration thing is more an extra precaution than anything else. Otherwise, pumps would be useless.

If you're going to be out in the heat (like on a 90 degree day), there are some carriers you can get to keep your insulin from getting too hot. There are several companies that make various types...from gel packs that only need water to be activated to packs that come with a freezable cooler and will also hold all your supplies.

But CityCotton, Cora and Blondy are all right that it's okay to keep insulin out of the fridge for up to 28 days, as long as it's not in direct sunlight and not at extreme temperatures.

Ruth