What is the effect if you use expired insulin? & bull; hello healthy

Insulin can be a mainstay drug for people with diabetes to help control blood sugar. But just like other types of drugs, insulin can go bad over time. So, what is the effect if you keep using expired insulin?

Insulin that has expired should be discarded

All medicines have an expiration date which is usually printed on the packaging label. The expiration date is made to inform as well as warn the user that the medicinal product is only effective for use until a specified time limit.

Past the expiration date, the potency of the drug contained in it will decrease until it is completely lost. Not only that. Changes in the chemical composition of the medicine can also cause the appearance of different and unwanted side effects in your body.

So it is with insulin. Although not all insulin that has passed the expiration date will be damaged, and at first glance the condition still looks good, you should no longer use it. Immediately throw it in the trash and buy a new supply of insulin.

What happens if you keep using expired insulin?

Basically, using expired drugs makes the medicinal substances less effective for treating disease. Just like insulin.

Your body may not react immediately in the first few days after expired insulin use. However, gradually stale insulin will not work as well as it should to lower blood sugar. In the end, it is not impossible if using expired insulin makes your blood sugar spike up or even fluctuate out of control.

This happens because the insulin drug substance has been damaged so that its effectiveness decreases. Therefore, make sure you always check and remember the expiration date before it's time to use it.

The right way to store insulin so that it doesn't expire quickly

Insulin must be stored in a proper manner so that it does not expire quickly. Ideally, insulin that is still tightly sealed should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2-8º Celsius. As long as the package has not been opened, insulin can last until its expiration date ends.

However, do not store sealed insulin in the freezer (freezer) or close to the compartmentfreezer. Frozen insulin can no longer be used even though it is later thawed.

If it is not possible for you to store new insulin (still sealed) in the refrigerator, it is okay to store it elsewhere as long as it is at room temperature. For example in a medicine box on the dressing table or on the dining table.

If it is not possible to store unopened insulin in the refrigerator, you can store it at room temperature. However, insulin stored at room temperature (both sealed and opened) can only be used for up to 28 days. Opened insulin is not recommended for refrigeration.

Different types of insulin may have different storage rules. That is why, make sure you always read the instructions for use and storage of insulin that are listed on the package.