I have to have some injectable meds kept at low temperatures, the problem I have is that my campers fridge (very old camper) is not the coolest it could be especially when abroad in really hot weather.
I have been looking at the mini drug coolers you can get like this ONE Has anyone any experience of these or can recomend one. Thanks in anticipation
I use insulin pens too, they keep as 'in use'
For 30days without refrigeration upto 25c. In hot weather, l seal my pens inside a knotted plastic freezer bag and drop that into a container of cold water to keep them cool and it works a treat.
Im on Novamix 30 if you want to compare the storage instructions.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
I have a drug called Victoza or Liraglutide for treating diabetes, must be kept refrigerated until you start using it then can be kept for 30 days below 25c I would assume that means it should keep 30 days with out fridge but consultant says no must be kept below 8c until use
A bit of conflicting advice then, as it was my hospital Diabetic clinic who said it was ok to carry my pens around with me as long as they are kept under 25c and used within 30days, which they are as l get through a full pen every 3 days, injecting twice a day.
Maybe ask your pharmacist, is Victoza similar to the newer Byetta type of medication, or is it a true insulin?
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Margaret takes her insulin in the motorhome fridge but she also has a nylon padded bag for the one in use. There are some you can buy that you soak in water which will maintain the correct temperature for a couple of days.I would have thought that if the fridge is working albeit not quite to the correct temperature it would be fine for keeping the insulin safe. As a belt and braces your could always take your prescription scrips and I am sure a chemist would supply new insulin if you had a problem. They seem more easy going abroad in that respect.
Its the new type Byetta I believe, it works by replacing certain enzymes in the body it takes the body quite a bit of getting used to, side affects are a bit difficult at first but seem to calm down after a month.
Its certainly stabilised my sugar levels and lowered them without the dreaded hypo, not taken proper insulin yet but tablets I was on either let the sugars go far to high (27)
or swing wildly down to lowest (2.2),
On this injection I have been able to get rid of two of the drugs causing the wild swings ie Angoliptin and Glicazide.
Thanks for replies so far they are very reassuring thanks
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 02/5/2018
Margaret takes her insulin in the motorhome fridge but she also has a nylon padded bag for the one in use. There are some you can buy that you soak in water which will maintain the correct temperature for a couple of days.I would have thought that if the fridge is working albeit not quite to the correct temperature it would be fine for keeping the insulin safe. As a belt and braces your could always take your prescription scrips and I am sure a chemist would supply new insulin if you had a problem. They seem more easy going abroad in that respect.
I have found that since having my records available online it has been much easier here and abroad to get replacement meds although a £70.00 charge for a one week supply of one of my BP tablets gave me quite a shock
David
The unit you linked to is no different than a thermoelectric cool box. 25C below ambient under optimal conditions. A cool box would be cheaper an could server a wider purpose.
"Your new, unused Victoza® pen should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). If Victoza® is stored outside of the refrigerator (by mistake) prior to first use, it should be used or thrown away within 30 days. Victoza® should not be frozen.
After first use, store your Victoza® pen for up to 30 days at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C), or in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)."
I would take it from that info that you can store and use it for up to 30 days since it was removed from refrigeration, however if you store it for 2 weeks, you then have to use it within the remaining 2 weeks as romany girl suggested.
Storing the pen at cooler temperatures will always help maintain drug efficacy, especially in continental climates where day time temperatures can exceed 30C so keep it in a thermo electric cool box, or even a modest fridge and use it within 30 days of it's last proper refrigeration.
Another handy item l have found is the small insulated Marks and Spencer food coolbags, designed just to carry lunch for one person, a sandwich and a can of pop maybe, they are ideal for keeping the pens cool on a day out if the tempretures do soar high, or to protect them and other meds from strong sunlight, rain, and any beach debris, sand ect.
Good value at around £2.50 a bag, and ive had mine since last spring and is in daily use for carrying all my medication in whilst travelling in the car. They are normally found with the rest of their carrier's bags for life at their foodhall checkouts. Pop a chilled canned drink in the bag for extra cooling in transit, and have a drink at the ready for pill taking when needed.
I have previously been on Byetta, Glicazide, and Metformin, but long term it started to give me problems with abnormal liver function results, so got swopped onto Novamix insulin pens last year, and have been ok since then, just need to pass a medical with the GP every 3years regards any eye problems or hypos, which luckily l havent had, inorder to keep my driving license.
You also have to eat within 4 hours prior to starting a journey, then every 4 hours after that, checking bloodsugars regularly throughout the journey. In reality its not really a problem, l dont drive that much, and only short journeys mid morning or after lunch down to the local shops or doctors, My husband drives most of the time and does the longer journeys, including towing to and from the campsites.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
I have to take medication (for arthritis, not diabetes) that has to be kept between 2 and 8 degrees centigrade.
I too had a fridge that was not exactly reliable so I had similar worries to romany so consulted my nurse who suggested this on the basis it was designed for the job and had built in safety features to prevent damage to the epipens and their contents.
I bought it last year and it worked a treat.
I have 4 ice pouches that I use by having 2 in the bag cooling the meds and 2 in the freezer freezing, changing them every 24 hours on average. It never let me down once despite temperatures last summer getting to over 38C at time, though when it was really hot I took the precaution of putting it in the fridge/cool box at the hottest times of day.
When we lost all the electric in the van on one site for over 8 hours it was a godsend.
Another tip, if you use overnight/long haul ferries, is too ask if you can leave the bag in a fridge onboard. Brittany Ferries were more than happy to arrange this for me and are doing so again this year.
Quote: Originally posted by chrisandsandra on 03/5/2018
I have to take medication (for arthritis, not diabetes) that has to be kept between 2 and 8 degrees centigrade.
I too had a fridge that was not exactly reliable so I had similar worries to romany so consulted my nurse who suggested this on the basis it was designed for the job and had built in safety features to prevent damage to the epipens and their contents.
I bought it last year and it worked a treat.
I have 4 ice pouches that I use by having 2 in the bag cooling the meds and 2 in the freezer freezing, changing them every 24 hours on average. It never let me down once despite temperatures last summer getting to over 38C at time, though when it was really hot I took the precaution of putting it in the fridge/cool box at the hottest times of day.
When we lost all the electric in the van on one site for over 8 hours it was a godsend.
Another tip, if you use overnight/long haul ferries, is too ask if you can leave the bag in a fridge onboard. Brittany Ferries were more than happy to arrange this for me and are doing so again this year.
Looks like another good method thanks ChrisandSandra
Not sure if this is any help but my son is Type1 diabetic and when talking with his consultant about going travelling this is what he was recommended to get https://friouk.com/the-frio-wallet/
My son found it very effective
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Topic: Mini drug coolers
