Quick Answer: Levemir needs refrigeration before first use, but once opened, it can be stored at room temperature (below 86°F) for up to 42 days. Keeping it properly stored ensures its effectiveness. Always check for expiration dates and signs of spoilage before use.
Storing insulin correctly is absolutely essential. Failure to do so can have severe consequences on its effectiveness and, ultimately, on your diabetes management. Indeed, all types of insulin are sensitive to temperature. Therefore, they must be refrigerated when not in use and protected from heat once opened.
Levemir is no exception, but it comes with its specific storage requirements. So, if you've recently been prescribed Levemir, make sure to read this article and learn how to properly store and handle your pens and vials at home or while traveling!
Keep Your Levemir Pens & Vials Refrigerated with 4AllFamily's Insulin Travel Coolers!
If you're a visual learner or just prefer watching over reading, we've got you covered! Take a look at our video below, same topic, different format!
What is Levemir?
Levemir is the brand name for insulin detemir, which is a long-acting insulin (also called background insulin or basal insulin) used to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Levemir works by keeping blood sugar levels within range during periods of fasting, such as in-between meals or overnight. It begins to take effect within 1-2 hours after the injection (onset time), with a peak of activity occurring between 6-8 hours after injection. Levemir's duration of action is approximately 24 hours, but it can vary depending on the individual.
Levemir can be used in combination with other diabetes medications, such as short-acting insulin (bolus insulin) or oral antidiabetic medications like Metformin. It is injected subcutaneously (under the skin), generally once a day.
Related article: Insulin Storage: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Your Insulin Pens and Vials
Levemir FlexPen and vials
Levemir is available in prefilled injector pens or vials.
The pens are more convenient to use, as they hold multiple insulin doses and do not require a syringe to draw up insulin from a vial.
Levemir was available in a FlexTouch injector pen, but this type of pen was discontinued in February 2023. It's now available in FlexPen, a slightly different kind of injector. Patients who priorly received the FlexTouch Levemir pen will automatically receive the new version but are invited to read the new instructions for use.
Does Levemir Need to Be Refrigerated?
Yes, like all types and brands of insulin, Levemir needs to be refrigerated. Insulin is an injectable medication that is easily affected by temperature. Therefore, storing it in the refrigerator helps preserve its potency and effectiveness.
However, Levemir storage instructions allow for greater flexibility. Indeed, it can stay unrefrigerated for up to 42 days, whereas most insulins start degrading after 28 days only at room temperature.
Related article: How to Store Insulin Without Refrigeration?
Levemir storage instructions
Proper storage is essential to keep Levemir effective and safe to use. According to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Levemir, following these guidelines will help maintain its potency and prevent it from becoming ineffective.
✅ Store Unopened Levemir: Keep Levemir pens and vials in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) to maintain effectiveness.
✅ After Opening or Removing from the Fridge:
- Store at room temperature (below 86°F / 30°C) for up to 42 days.
- Keep away from direct heat and sunlight to prevent degradation.
🚫 Avoid Freezing: Never store Levemir in freezing temperatures, as frozen insulin becomes denatured and ineffective. If it freezes, discard it immediately.
Related article: Can You Inject Cold Insulin Straight From the Fridge?
How Long is Levemir Good for?
The shelf life of Levemir (insulin detemir) can vary depending on several factors, such as the storage conditions and the expiration date printed on the packaging.
If kept refrigerated between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) without interruption of the cold chain, unopened vials and pens of Levemir are generally good for two years from the date of manufacture. Every Levemir pen or vial has a printed expiration date labeled on them.
Once a vial or pen of Levemir has been opened, punctured, or removed from the fridge, it is only good for a maximum of 42 days. Meanwhile, it must be protected from light and high heat (kept below 86°F (30°C)). Failure to follow these instructions may shorten Levemir's shelf life, as it could go bad before the 42 days.
Discard any Levemir pen or vial that hasn’t been stored accordingly to the manufacturer’s instructions, even if there’s still insulin inside.
Never use medication that has expired or been improperly stored, as it may not be safe for use.
If you have concerns about the storage or use of your Levemir pens and vials, it's best to speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist for guidance.
Related article: 10 Tips That Work to Inject Insulin Without Pain!
How to Keep Levemir Cool While Traveling
When traveling with Levemir, it's crucial to maintain the correct storage conditions to keep your insulin effective. If refrigeration isn’t available, follow these steps to ensure your insulin stays within a safe temperature range.
✅ Use a Medical-Grade Travel Cooler 🧊
- Invest in a reliable insulin travel cooler, such as those from 4AllFamily, to maintain the correct temperature.
- These coolers help keep Levemir within the recommended range, even in hot climates.
✅ Protect In-Use Levemir from Heat 🌡️
- Keep in-use Levemir pens and vials stored at room temperature (below 86°F / 30°C).
- Avoid direct sunlight by storing them in an insulated pouch or a cooler bag.
✅ Keep Unopened Levemir Refrigerated ❄️
- If you’re carrying extra unopened Levemir, keep it at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) in a portable medical-grade fridge or cooler.
- Use temperature monitoring tools to ensure it doesn’t get too warm or freeze.
🚫 Avoid Common Travel Mistakes ⚠️
- Never leave Levemir in a hot car or direct sunlight for extended periods.
- Don’t use ice packs directly on insulin, as freezing can render it ineffective.
- Always carry insulin in your carry-on luggage, as checked baggage compartments may experience extreme temperatures.
By following these precautions, you can travel confidently, knowing your Levemir remains safe and effective.
Related Article: Travel Smart with Diabetes: The Essential Guide to Building Your Diabetic Travel Kit for Every Adventure
The Voyager Travel Fridge can hold up to 7 Levemir FlexPens and maintain fridge temperature for unlimited time when plugged into a USB power source, like a car cigarette lighter, a portable solar panel, or a power bank.
The Companion Cooling Bag is designed for opened pens and vials of insulin that must be protected from heat. It can keep 5 Levemir FlexPens below the threshold temperature of 79°F (26°) for up to 10 hours, even when it's 104°F (40°) outside!
Our Nomad cooling bottle can keep Mounjaro pens at fridge temperature between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C) for up to 30 hours with an outside temperature of 104°F / 40°C. It works with biogel freeze packs and doesn’t require electricity, making a small, lightweight cooler, easy to carry around wherever you go.
The Chillers are our latest travel coolers for medicine, requiring no ice or electricity—just water! Ideal for any trip, even remote locations, these medical cooling bags keep syringes safely between 64.4°F-79°F (18°C-26°C) for 45+ hours, even in extreme heat up to 100°F (37.8°C).
The Explorer acts like real mini-fridges and like the voyager offers higher performance when plugged into any USB power source (car cigarette lighter, portable solar panel, power bank, etc.).
Related article: Diabetes Travel Letter: Everything You Need to Know + Free Printable Sample
📌 Key Takeaways:
- ✅ Refrigeration Required Before First Use: Unopened Levemir should be stored at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) to maintain effectiveness.
- 🌡️ Room Temperature Storage After Opening: Once in use, Levemir can be stored at room temperature (below 86°F / 30°C) for up to 42 days, away from heat and sunlight.
- 🚫 Never Freeze Insulin: Freezing denatures Levemir, making it ineffective. If frozen, discard immediately.
- ✈️ Traveling With Levemir: Use a medical-grade insulin cooler to keep unopened Levemir refrigerated and in-use insulin below 86°F (30°C).
- ⚠️ Check for Signs of Spoilage: Discard Levemir if it looks cloudy, clumpy, discolored, or doesn’t control blood sugar effectively.
💬 We’d Love to Hear From You!
Your experience matters! Have you ever faced challenges storing Levemir while traveling? Do you have any tips or questions about insulin storage? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!
📆 Article Update History:
✅ Updated: March 11, 2025
Originally Published: March 22, 2023
Comments
4AllFamily Customer Care Team said:
Dear Ayanna,
Keeping Levemir refrigerated at all times is no problem at all, but now you know you have the option to keep it at room temperature too for up to 42 days (below 30C). It may be easier to handle this way, especially when you’re away from home!
Best regards,
4AllFamily
Ayanna said:
I have been using Leveling for about a decade now. I wasn’t told by any of my Drs. that I needed to keep it at room temperature once it is opened. They only said keep it refrigerated, which I did before and after I opened and used a pen. What are the side effects of using cold Levemir for 10 years?