Does Glucagon have an expiration date ?

[allisa]

Hi all.....I am wondering about the shelf life of glucagon.

FORTUNATEY we have never had to use it, so I have a BUNCH of glucagons around here......they do have an expiration date on them....BUT....it is just one year after being filled....so I wasn't sure if that was an "automatic/default" expiration date....

Do I need to keep refilling annually ? And is it dangerous to keep glucagon that is "expired"...becuase it will be of no use if God Forbid the need arises for it ?

Any thoughts on this ?
Allisa

[rsmom]

Glucagon does indeed have an expiration date.....on ours, the boxes always have the date printed on the bottom. It's typically about a year - because it's so expensive, we always call to order it (rather than just getting it from the pharmacy stock) so we can specify that we want a box with the furthest expiry date.

We use our out-dated kits for practice - it keeps us up-to-date with how to mix and administer the Glucagon (we practice injecting an orange). I know if the moment came and I needed to use it I would most likely be in a panic, but at least with the extra practice I feel more confident that I would remember what to do.

[twicker1]

I don't know about the potency of Glucagon after the expiration date since we've never had to deal with that, thank God! However, all we were told is that when you DO get a new kit, make sure to check the expiration date before you leave the pharmacy. They told us it should have an expiration date at least a year away, or tell them to find one that isn't that old. That way, you don't have to get it filled more frequently.

[Chase's mom]

Do ya'll take the Glucagon kit with you when you go somewhere? Are just take stuff like icing in case bs goes low? I'm just curious I have the Glucagon in the fridge and only take other stuff with us when we go somewhere.:confused:

[allisa]

Like I siad, I have a few old ones...so there is one in my car...but after reading these comments...I think it may not be effective.

That is a great suggestion to use old ones for practice....I have NEVER practiced the glucagon....jsut reas & re-read the instructions.

I looked at my glucagon...and the only expiraation date I see is what the pharmacy put on with its sticker.....I can't seem to find a manufacture's date....will keep looking........

[twicker1]

I don't keep our kits in the fridge. I have one in a little bag that goes with us everywhere. Bag also includes a rice crispie treat or equivalent, one or two juices depending on what/where we are going, and meter. I had a plastic box that stayed behind his teacher's desk (at the private school) that had Glucagon, instructions, several juices, and several rice crispie treats. I use to carry the kit in my purse, but then it became a problem when I would go to the store or somewhere by myself and I realized that there wasn't one at home with daddy.

[rsmom]

I do take the Glucagon kit everywhere - I'm too afraid to think that something might happen out of the blue, and when I needed it most it was sitting at home. We always carry emergency supplies, too - but DS has had times where really severe lows have hit quickly, and he's had no symptoms at all. We only discovered the low because it was time for a meal or snack - that frightens me, as I've realized that he does have the potential to have a low serious enough to need Glucagon without anything appearing to be wrong. The Levemir/NovoRapid has helped in this regard, too - but carrying the Glucagon is habit now :)

Right now, DS is with me everywhere, so I only need the one kit - in the fall when he starts preschool, we will likely get a second kit so there's one on hand in the classroom, too. It might not be absolutely necessary, but it does set my mind at ease a bit. Our insurance does reimburse the full cost of the Glucagon, which makes it a little easier to contemplate having multiple kits.

[Eric]

You will want to take your glucagon with you on even short trips. Icing and such are good if your child is awake, but can be a choking hazard if your child loses conciousness or seizes. In those situations you'll want your glucagon handy. Good questions. :D
Oh, and we keep Gabriels expired kits to show family and friends who will watch him.

[rsmom]

I don't keep ours in the fridge, either - you don't really need to.

[twicker1]

Is yours the red box glucagon emergency kit? On the bottom of mine is a stamp that is from the manufacturer as well as a date printed ON the bottle and the syringe.

[wendyc]

If your Glucagon is expired, don't just toss it out. Do a practice run with it. I did, and was glad I did, because in an emergency, I would be frazzled trying to figure it out.

I always carry one in our D kit when going out. You just never know when you may need it. It does have an expiration, and does not need to be in the fridge. Just like insulin, be careful not to expose to extreme temps.

[Tracy B.]

We take ours everywhere we go also. I kept our expired ones also to practice and to show the school staff how to use it. We also do not keep ours in the fridge, it is kept at room temp up high so no kids can get it.

For school we will keep ours in an bright orange piece of paper, folded and taped on the wall next to like fire extinguisher or first aid kit where it will be seen very easily, just in case.

[pookas]

We don't keep them in the fridge. I have them [Glucogon kits] everywhere though. One in his D bag, one at school, one in his room [along w/ a small bottle of juice]. Two in his D box w/ supplies.

Linda-[NEPA]-Mom to:
Hunter, 5 yrs, dx'd 11/14/05 type I
Colby, 7 yrs, migraines

[pookas]

BTW, just looking at a kit by Eli Lilly Co. [in the red case]. It has an expiration on it from the company. It also says to store between 68 to 77 degress Ferenheit [room temp.] It also says to discard any unused portion.

Linda-[NEPA]-Mom to:
Hunter, 5 yrs, dx'd 11/14/05 type I
Colby, 7 yrs, migraines

[Kelly]

We carry Anastacia's with us everywhere... she goes low very quickly without reason. We are only allowed one at a time, so when its used we have to go to the Dr to get another script filled... too bad if you needed it again in the mean time. :cwds:

Expiry date... well my lil bro is diabetic, and he needed it. He was floating in the pool. :( So we gave it, scary as all hell, he SLOWLY came back to us (and coughing up water...) and then once the Ambulance arrived, we were looking at the pack and it was indeed expired by about a year. It still worked though... thank god. :confused:

[T_Adelaide]

Do ya'll take the Glucagon kit with you when you go somewhere? Are just take stuff like icing in case bs goes low? I'm just curious I have the Glucagon in the fridge and only take other stuff with us when we go somewhere.:confused:

We never take the Glucagon with us.

[zimbie45]

Hi
Yes it has and expiry date, what our endo told us is that they are still good for upto 6 mopnths after dated printed.. ME I get new ones at expirey date just to be safe... WE have the red boxed one, and yes we take it every where we go....

[EmmasMom]

I always carry glucagon with us. I have a pocket in my diaper bag that has extra pump supplies, extra glucose gel and glucagon. Just in case!!

[kristy]

I always have one glucagon kit with me at all times. I thank god that I never had to use it, but one time I came very close. I would rather keep it with me than waiting for the ambulance to arrive. As for the expiration date, I learned the hard way of checking before you leave the pharmacy. In September I filled Lexie's new Rxs and did not check the date (just thought that they would be good for a year). Back in June while packing for a trip I just happened to open them up and realized that they had expired 2 months prior. These were the ones that I would have been relying on in case of an emergency!! Now I know, check the expiration and don't settle until they give you one with a date one year out.