Short answer: Keep unopened Humulin R U-100 vials in the fridge at 36-46°F (2-8°C) until the expiration date. At room temperature up to 86°F (30°C), a vial lasts 31 days in total, counting unopened and in-use time together. Opened vials may be kept in the fridge or at room temperature for up to 31 days. Do not use Humulin R that froze. Source: Humulin R U-100 label, section 16.2.
What does the Humulin R U-100 label say?
Section 16.2: “Protect from heat and light. Do not freeze. Do not use HUMULIN R after the expiration date printed on the label or if it has been frozen.”
Humulin R U-100 US prescribing information, section 16.2, Table 3.
| Form | Unopened, room temp (up to 86°F) | Unopened, refrigerated | In use, room temp (up to 86°F) | In use, refrigerated |
|---|
| 10 mL multiple-dose vial | 31 days | Until expiration date | 31 days | 31 days |
| 3 mL multiple-dose vial | 31 days | Until expiration date | 31 days | 31 days |
Table footnote: “When stored at room temperature, HUMULIN R can only be used for a total of 31 days including both not in-use (unopened) and in-use (opened) storage time.” Humulin R U-100 comes only in vials; the label lists no pen.
What do the Instructions for Use add?
- Unopened vials: “Store all unopened vials in the refrigerator at 36° to 46°F (2° to 8°C).” “Do not freeze. Do not use if it has been frozen.” “Keep away from heat and out of direct light.” Kept in the fridge, they can be used until the expiration date; stored at room temperature, they are thrown away after 31 days.
- Opened vials: “Store opened vials in the refrigerator or at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C) for up to 31 days.” Throw them away after 31 days, even if insulin is left.
- Humulin R is a clear solution, so it is not mixed or rolled before a dose. The Instructions for Use say not to use it if it looks cloudy, thick, slightly colored, or has particles.
The Patient Information leaflet has no storage section; the storage text for patients is in the vial Instructions for Use.
What about diluted Humulin R or IV bags?
- Diluted for injection (only under medical supervision): section 16.2 says 28 days refrigerated at 36-46°F (2-8°C) or 14 days at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C). Section 2.2 gives the same 28 and 14 days but words the fridge figure as “stored at 41°F (5°C)”.
- IV infusion bags: 48 hours in the fridge at 36-46°F (2-8°C), then up to an additional 48 hours at room temperature.
This page covers Humulin R U-100. The concentrated version has its own label: see Humulin R U-500. Also see the Humulin R dosing schedule, Humulin R side effects and Humulin N, which uses the same 31-day vial limit.
How do you travel with it?
An opened Humulin R vial travels at room temperature, up to 86°F (30°C), for the rest of its 31 days. Unopened spares start using up that time as soon as they leave the fridge. Keep them off direct contact with an ice pack, since frozen Humulin R is not used.
- TSA allows medically necessary liquids over 3.4 oz in carry-on bags; declare them at the checkpoint for inspection.
- Unused syringes and pen needles are allowed when they travel with the injectable medicine.
- Ice packs and gel packs that keep medicine cool may go through frozen, partly frozen or melted.
- Keep medicine in your carry-on, not checked luggage, where you cannot control the temperature. Do not let it touch an ice pack directly, since most labels say do not freeze.
More in the travel guide.
Quoted from the current US label on DailyMed, not personalized advice. Labels change; the leaflet in your own carton, your pharmacist and your prescriber are the final word on how to store it.