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Insulin (mander.xyz)
submitted 11 months ago by to c/science_memes@mander.xyz
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[–] 7 points 11 months ago (8 children)

I really don't get it. If it was in the freezer, why will it be damaged when put back again? Is it that once defreezed some reaction goes on and shouldn't be stopped? I really don't get it. Would it be better to keep it outside the freezer once it warm up?

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  • [–] 31 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    It degrades from the freezing process and then dosage becomes unpredictable and thus dangerous. If you have insulin it's got big words on it saying don't.

    Heres the side of some humalog:

    DO NOT FREEZE. Store refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F [2°C to 8°C] until time of use. Store in-use vials refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F [2° C to 8°C]. If refrigeration is not possible, store at room temperature (up to 86°F [30°C]). Protect from direct heat and light.

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  • [–] 10 points 11 months ago

    I’m sure an experienced medic in an emergency could work with it somehow, but for the rest of us living in civilization, insulin that has been outside their recommended temperature range is very dangerous.

    Long-acting insulin has crystals that dissolve at body temperature over time, hence it can gradually release insulin over hours. If you break or dissolve those crystals by freezing/thawing/overwarming, the best scenario would be that it became fast-acting insulin, and it would crash your glucose instantly on injection of your usual dose. The worst scenario is that it no longer acts like insulin.

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