Short answer: Keep unopened NovoLog Mix 70/30 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 28 days and a FlexPen 14 days. Opened vials may be refrigerated; an in-use FlexPen is not. It is cloudy and is rolled right before each dose. Do not use it if it froze. Source: NovoLog Mix 70/30 label, section 16.2.
What does the NovoLog Mix 70/30 label say?
Section 16.2: “Store unused NOVOLOG MIX 70/30 in a refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze NOVOLOG MIX 70/30 or use NOVOLOG MIX 70/30 if it has been frozen. Do not expose NOVOLOG MIX 70/30 to excessive heat or light.”
NovoLog Mix 70/30 US prescribing information, section 16.2, Table 7.
| Form | Unopened, room temp (up to 86°F) | Unopened, refrigerated | In use (opened) |
|---|
| 10 mL multiple-dose vial | 28 days | Until expiration date | 28 days (refrigerated/room temperature) |
| 3 mL FlexPen | 14 days | Until expiration date | 14 days (do not refrigerate) |
Table 7 heads the in-use column “Room Temperature (up to 30°C [86°F])”, but the vial cell says refrigerated or room temperature, and the Patient Information confirms opened vials may go in the fridge. Section 16.2 also says to remove the needle after each injection and store the FlexPen without a needle attached.
How is NovoLog Mix 70/30 mixed before a dose?
It is a white, cloudy suspension. Section 2.1 says it “must be resuspended immediately before use”, and that this is easier at room temperature.
- Vial (section 2.1): “roll the vial gently in hands in a horizontal position 10 times until the suspension appears uniformly white and cloudy. Inject immediately.” The Instructions for Use add: “Do not shake the vial.”
- FlexPen (section 2.1): roll it gently between your hands in a horizontal position 10 times, then turn it upside down 10 times so the glass ball moves from one end to the other, until it is uniformly white and cloudy. The Instructions for Use say at least ten up-and-down moves for every following injection, and to have at least 12 units left so the rest mixes evenly.
- Do not use it if it looks discolored or has particles.
The vial and FlexPen cartons print “Shake carefully before using.” The Instructions for Use say to roll the vial and not shake it. Follow the Instructions for Use steps.
What do the Patient Information and Instructions for Use add?
- Vials: “Keep NovoLog Mix 70/30 away from heat or light.” “Unopened vials should be thrown away after 28 days, if they are stored at room temperature.”
- Opened vials: “Opened NovoLog Mix 70/30 vials can be stored in the refrigerator 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) or at room temperature below 86°F (30°C) for up to 28 days.”
- FlexPen: unused pens stored at room temperature are thrown away after 14 days. “Store the FlexPen you are currently using at room temperature below 86°F (30°C) for up to 14 days.” Throw it away after 14 days, even if insulin is left.
- The FlexPen carton adds “Avoid freezing. Protect from light.”
See the NovoLog Mix 70/30 dosing schedule, NovoLog Mix 70/30 side effects, plain NovoLog and Humalog Mix75/25, whose KwikPen gets only 10 days.
How do you travel with it?
An in-use NovoLog Mix 70/30 FlexPen travels at room temperature, below 86°F (30°C), for the rest of its 14 days; a vial for the rest of its 28 days. Unopened spares can stay cold; out of the fridge a pen has 14 days and a vial 28. Keep them off direct contact with an ice pack, since frozen NovoLog Mix 70/30 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.