shipping in below zero weather, please give your input

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seamist

seamist

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Does anyone have information about shipping Lantus in below zero weather? I know it is not supposed to freeze, but I would like to order some from an online pharmacy. I live in Minnesota, and it is frequently below zero in the winter. I have had this problem with my husband's medications also. For example, the VA pharmacy sent his migraine medication by mail, and it is a liquid for injection, and was left in the mailbox for hours in below zero weather. So he can't use his migraine medication. I don't want the same thing to happen to the Lantus. I contacted a Canadian pharmacy and received an email that if the manufacturer required constant refrigeration, they will send it in a cool pack, otherwise, if it can go without refrigeration they will not. They did not ever address my question about freezing...
 
Re: shipping in below zero weather

i'd be very nervous about having any insulin shipped in below zero weather.
insulin can freeze and if it does... it's no good.
 
If Jill says it's not good, you can take it to the bank. Why risk it? Sure, it's a few dollars more to buy locally but I'll never trust the mail order again....course I'm in Florida and they shipped in the heat of the summer with only one ice pack, which came melted....AND I've been using the cartridges for the past two months....I won't risk it the next time you can be sure! One less thing to worry about!! nailbite_smile nailbite_smile
 
I hear you. But since the pharmacies are in Canada, you would think they had figured out a way to ship things in below zero weather. They are mostly north of me. Even if they are sending insulin to Florida in the winter, it could still freeze in the truck on the way to the airport.
 
Unless you have a PO Box or some place where it can be delivered that is protected from the weather, I wouldn't risk it either. The Lantus will be shipped with an ice pack since it requires refrigeration. Beyond that, the pharmacy isn't responsible for where your mailbox is. Like Brenda, when I had Lantus shipped, the ice pack was melted.

If you're in Mpls, check at the U of MN pharmacy. I found that here, the university med center pharmacies cost on Lantus was much less than at other places. They may also sell you individual cartridges vs. a box of 5 if the cost (all at one time) is an issue.
 
having lost insulin in my own refrigerator - I would NEVER trust shipping in freezing weather. My husband works for UPS, so I know that packages sit outside in trailers over the weekend if they have to. Not worth the savings to have it be toast before you even open in.
 
What about test strips and a meter in freezing temps? I just ordered some, and am worried that they might get ruined if left out in the cold. Do I need to worry about this?
 
Sasha is fine. He is happy and went outside for a few minutes this morning. I need to find a way for him to play. He used to play with the dog, his best friend, but the dog died in August. The cats never learned to playwith toys, since the dog always took them. I have not updated my spreadsheet because I am having computer problems.

I think I need new Lantus as the numbers got weird, and I am trying to figure out how to do it. Even if I meet the delivery person at the door, there is no way I can prevent the Lantus from freezing in the delivery truck. That said, even if I get it at a pharmacy, they have it delivered to them so it could have frozen before they go it too. My head is swimming. In any case, I will need help because I don't have money to pay for the Lantus.
 
Meter should be fine. I do believe strips have a temp recommendation on them, can you go online and look at the manufacturer site to see if that is the case with your strips. If you don't see an answer, you can call them directly and ask. If you don't know the number, tell us what meter you are getting and someone I'm sure has a number for them.

Also, if the strips are bad, you just call the number on the meter and they will most likely send you new strips.
 
The lcd screen can definitely be damaged by freezing, especially a sudden drop in temp. I've had watering controller in the garden get fried by an unexpected freeze. They even make them with detachable face plate so you can easily bring them in during cold spells.

I did a google search for lcd + freezing here is one result http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index. ... pic=118639


Bringing the unit back into the optimal operating temp before turning it on can minimize damage.
 
seamist said:
That said, even if I get it at a pharmacy, they have it delivered to them so it could have frozen before they go it too. My head is swimming. In any case, I will need help because I don't have money to pay for the Lantus.
Click to expand...

In the pharmacies that I have worked ay, the medication comes to them by a courier service, not a big delivery service so the chance of the medication being frozen before arrival is rare.
 
Sheryl try updating your SS by doing this:
Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.... past all the blank rows. When you get to the very end there will be a footnote that says... Edit this page (if you have permission.) Click that and then you can add your new numbers.

Let me know if that doesn't work, (in case I typed your email incorrectly or something.)
 
There is no problem with the spreadsheet. It was working fine and then my husband made changes to the computer and it doesn't work right anymore. I need to have him undo his changes and then I will be able to use the spreadsheet.
 
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