Early Storage Question
Hi,
I just read on the storage instruction (in the pamphlet inside the box
the Byetta comes in) that Byetta should be refrigerated when it’s still in the
box! It also says to refrigerate it after opening, but BEFORE got me.
I’ve been getting my pens from the Doctor’s office and they keep them
inside a cabinet. Could that be why I’ve been less than successful lowering my
numbers from "the get-go?" I’ve been very nauseated, so something is
working…argh (tho I’m taking Compazine occasionally for that now).
I’ve received two pens from the doc’s office. Both were in the cabinets
with other samples. They’ve been such a big help since we’re in the
process of changing insurance.
Anyway…is Byetta supposed to be refrigerated before opening? Is that
the way you would get it from the Pharmacy? Already refrigerated?
Thanks for any help. I really don’t want to call the doctor’s office
with this and be wrong.
Nancy
June 27th, 2007 at 1:06 am
***
When I get it at the pharmacy it is refrigerated…..Suzanne
June 28th, 2007 at 9:35 am
I always check mine when I pick it up from the Pharmacy, if the box isn’t cold I
can tell it’s not been refrigerated. The first time picking it up, they’d
placed it with the rest of my meds, simply left it in a plastic bin, even though
it’d said "refrigerate" on the bag it was in. I had called in 4-5 days before
so it’d been sitting out that long.
I took it back and they gave me one from the fridge. Now I always open the
Pharmacy bag and hold the box to see if it’s cold. So far that hasn’t happened
again but I still check each time, saves me a trip back.
I too was getting sample boxes from my Doc at the beginning but they were stored
June 28th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
*Yes, Byetta is supposed to be kept refrigerated until you open it. The
latest update on pen storage AFTER it has been opened is refrigerated or not
does not matter as long as the temperature does not exceed 77 degrees (which
can happen very quickly in a hot car). *
**
*My pharmacy (Walgreens) always waits until I pick up my prescriptions
before they pull the Byetta out of the fridge. For those with mail order,
they arrive with a cold pack. If you are getting nauseous, I would assume
the pen is working and since it was a freebie I would not be concerned.*
June 29th, 2007 at 12:03 am
Byetta is required to be kept cool until you insert the first pen
needle. After that its shelf life drops to 30 days, and has to be
kept lower than 77 degrees F, but cannot be frozen. If it is being
stored on a shelf above (I think) 46 degrees F, then it is not in
compliance with the manufacturers instructions. At that point its
effectiveness can be questioned, as well.
I get mine via mail order, and they send it to me in a temperature
regulated package, surrounded by frozen gel packs. It comes second
day delivery. The last order came on day 3 of the second day
delivery. The gel packs weren’t frozen. The box was not cold. I
called the MO pharmacy, and after about 6 seconds of talking with the
pharmacist, he sent out a new package, and it included return
instructions. He also said he disagreed with the company policy of
second day shipping, and thought it should be next day. I wonder if
this was part of the decision by BC/BS to drop Caremark after this
year, and go twith MedCo next year. (MedCo did ship overnight.)
Prior to first use, store your new, unused BYETTA Pen in the
refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) protected from light
Paul
(I begun doing a slightly improper, yet fairly practical) procedure.
I start a vial on the first of the month, and toss is after the last s
on the last day of the month. This way I always know when to start a
new vial. I like it when I can take thinking out of the mix. I run
the risk of having 14 impotent doses, though.)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
June 29th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
You need to keep it refrigerated until your first injection, then you can
leave it out as long as the ambient temperature doesn’t exceed 77 degrees.
June 30th, 2007 at 10:27 am
it is supposed to refrigerated until you start using it then it does
not need to be unless it will get too hot (or too cold). i called
byetta to verify this. but if your doc is keeping it out, then yes,
you might be having issues with it loosing stability.
call byetta directly to answer you question
July 1st, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Hi Again,
Thanks for the answers everyone.
I called Dr. and they do refrigerate it after all. So I was wrong
there. The nurse did say that the Byetta person had been in last week, and
that
it was now okay to leave the Byetta out, just as you said.
Things change fast around here!
Nancy L