Why Are There Expiration Dates on Insulin Needles?

Around 7.4 million people in the U.S. currently rely on insulin to maintain their blood sugar levels. No matter if you’ve already been using injections for a while, or are just starting treatment, it’s important to understand what expiration dates on insulin needles mean and why they’re important.  Expired insulin can negatively impact blood sugar and cause several adverse reactions, like blurry vision, fatigue, thirst, nausea, and faintness. And, expired insulin needles may also have diminished sterility—increasing the chance of developing a puncture point infection after use. If you’re administering insulin daily, trustworthy dosage information is key to your healthcare. Here’s what you need to know about insulin needles and their expiration dates, why they deteriorate, and what happens if you accidentally use an insulin needle that’s expired.

Why Are Insulin Needle Expiration Dates Important?

Insulin helps blood sugar enter the body’s cells so it can later be converted into energy. It also plays an important role in signaling the liver when to store blood sugar for later use. People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes must carefully monitor and keep their blood sugar levels within a particular range. In order to do this, they must control just how much insulin they’re using. Insulin and its potency and stability play an integral part in this blood sugar balance. Because the amino acids and proteins that make up insulin degrade with time, expiration dates are essential for users. Without expiry dates, insulin needle users wouldn’t know when insulin potency has diminished, when needle sterility is no longer safe—and when it's time to throw the insulin needles away.

Why Do Insulin Needles Expire?

Insulin, a peptide hormone, can be impacted by several environmental factors and age. How, where, and for how long it is stored influence how long insulin may be used. Insulin needle manufacturers carefully test their products and potency to establish expiration dates. These dates are then noted on packaging to help users recognize when ingredients and sterility are no longer stable.    Insulin needle expiration dates also help to ensure that the needles are safe and sterile. Expired insulin needles run the risk of having diminished sterility—increasing the likelihood of the needle causing infection at the puncture site.

When Do Insulin Needles Expire?

Insulin typically lasts for one year, but once an insulin bottle is opened or a needle is unwrapped, the shelf life begins to degrade. In most cases, insulin shelf life drops to about 28 days after it is opened. 

Keeping insulin cool and dry is also crucial. Improper storage can speed up the degradation process and cause insulin and insulin needles to expire even before their package expiration date.  

There are some additional factors to note, when considering insulin needle expiration dates. There can be some complexities between an insulin needle’s packaged expiration date and its open package expiration date: 

• Sealed-Package Expiration Date. This expiry date is printed on the bottle by the manufacturer. The packaged insulin needle can be used within this expiration date, especially if it is stored properly and kept within a safe temperature.
• Open-Package Insulin Needle Expiration Date. Once you open an insulin bottle or needle, it is only effective for 28 days after the seal has been broken. So, you must mark the calendar to know when this period is completed. 

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Why Do Opened Insulin Needles Expire Before Their Package Expiration Date?

When insulin is unsealed, its efficacy deteriorates more rapidly. As a result, patients who inject insulin after it has been opened and left refrigerated for more than 28 days may feel like they haven’t used insulin at all—and instead experience elevated blood sugar levels.   Individuals who use expired insulin may find they need to take more doses to elicit the usual result.

Is Expired Insulin Harmful?

If you inadvertently use insulin that’s expired, it can cause your blood sugar levels to spike, and lead to dangerous health issues. For example, recent studies referenced in the National Library of Medicine (NIH) found that Americans with type 1 diabetes who’ve used expired insulin are at higher risk of developing hyperglycemia, Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and long-term complications.   High blood sugar levels can produce symptoms such as thirst, exhaustion, blurred vision, and frequent urination, as well as dizziness and nausea. And even more serious, uncontrolled diabetes can also cause organ damage. 

How Should I Store My Insulin?

 Where and how you store insulin greatly impacts its potency and shelf life. To ensure your insulin doesn’t get too hot or too cold, it’s a good idea to store it in your refrigerator, Not the Freezer.

 Where in the refrigerator should I store my insulin?

 Many diabetics like to store their insulin bottles and needles in the same door where butter, cheese, and eggs are kept. This location, in the upper part of the fridge, is closer to the refrigerator’s cooling elements—but not too close (which could make the insulin potentially freeze). 

 Temperature variations can also hurt your insulin bottles or needles. To minimize potential degradation, store your insulin in a space where it won’t be exposed to temperature variations.

 Can I use insulin, right out of the fridge? 

 Yes, you can use your insulin straight from the refrigerator. However, be aware: Injecting cold insulin can be uncomfortable or even painful, and cause discomfort at the injection point.  

 A good tip: Remove a new insulin needle, vial, or pen from the refrigerator before your dosage time. Allow it to warm to room temperature, before administering your injection. This will keep your insulin stable and safe, but also help alleviate the discomfort of injecting insulin that feels too cold.

 It’s also important to closely follow the manufacturer's guidelines for how long you can store your insulin at room temperature, after the first use of your needle, vial, or pen. (This differs across manufacturers and insulin types.)  

 What else should I know about safe insulin storage? In addition to storing your insulin needles in the fridge, there are a few other factors you should keep in mind:

• Extreme temperatures can impact your insulin. As soon as you bring home your insulin prescription (or after it arrives in the mail), plan to put it in a safe spot in your fridge. 
• Use a Sharpie pen to note the date you opened your insulin (as you insert a needle into it). Once your insulin is opened, you should plan to use it within 28 days, and then dispose of any remaining medication. (Writing the date on your bottle or needle will help you remember when to stop using it.) 
• Watch the weather. Insulin needles are sensitive to hot temperatures, so it is advisable not to leave them too long outdoors or in direct sunlight. This is particularly important if you have a mail prescription service—and your medication may be sitting outside in a mailbox or on your doorstep. And, if you pick up your insulin at a pharmacy, be sure to bring it straight home, so it doesn’t overheat on a warm summer day.  
•  Keep the insulin refrigerated until you open it; after that, you can store it at room temperature. Some brands of insulin are safe to be stored between 75-98°F (25-37°C) for around four weeks, without it becoming compromised. But, be sure to confirm with your doctor that this is an option for you and your prescription. 
•  Before each use, inspect your insulin. Insulin should always be clear and never appear murky. Watch out for changes in color or clarity. Look for crystals, clusters or strings, or solid white particles.

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How Can I Tell If My Insulin Has Started to Deteriorate? 

 It can be difficult to tell for sure if your insulin needles have expired before their package expiry date. But the following two signs are good indicators that it’s time to dispose of your insulin: 

 Visual inspection. If your insulin seems foggy or discolored, don’t use it. Also look for clumps or small "strings" of matter in your insulin bottles or needles—these are another sign that your insulin could be expiring.

 Unexpected physical symptoms. If your insulin is beginning to expire, you’ll notice higher blood sugars-—even while taking your usual dosage. This is a sign that your insulin is compromised and not working properly.  

 If either of these two issues appear with your insulin use, you’ll need to arrange for safe disposal of your medication.

 What Should I Do with My Expired Insulin Needles? 

Check with your doctor or pharmacist to find a safe location to dispose of your expired insulin. Many endocrinology doctor’s offices and pharmacies have on-site drop boxes for safely disposing of expired insulin. Your doctor may also be able to connect you with a mail-back program or other channel through which you can safely get rid of expired insulin needles. 

What Should I Do If I Still Have Questions? 

Much like other medications, foods, and dietary supplements, expiration dates help us understand when the materials or ingredients within a product may become unstable, lessening their potency, effectiveness, and safety.

Using expired insulin needles or incorrectly storing your insulin can severely impact your blood sugar levels. And while it may seem wasteful to dispose of expired medication, it’s imperative that you work with your doctor or pharmacy to safely get rid of any insulin that has gone past its expiration date.

We encourage you to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider if you have additional questions about your insulin needle dosage, storage, or usage.

Consult a doctor for any concerns regarding your insulin needles, how best to use and store them, and their expiration dates.