Many people with diabetes are unsure how to store insulin, especially in summer or when travelling.
The general rule
- Unopened packs: in the fridge at 2–8 °C, away from the freezer.
- The pen or vial in use: at room temperature up to 30 °C, for the period in the leaflet (often 4 weeks).
- Never leave it in a car or in direct sun.
When travelling
Use a small cool bag, and don’t put insulin directly against ice. On a plane, keep it in your hand luggage, never in checked bags.
If insulin has frozen, changed colour or shows particles, don’t use it, even if the change looks minor.
