Emergency fridge/medication question

[LabMix]

Hello, looking for the wisdom of mn. DC takes a medication that must stay refrigerated and my power has just gone out. Assuming I won’t be able to get it sorted with the landlord until tomorrow morning, am I better keeping the fridge door shut (I haven’t opened it since the power failed) or opening it now and putting the med between a couple of bags of frozen peas?

Because of where we are, it’s not a case of just asking for a prescription to replace it, it’s worth hundreds of pounds and I can’t afford to buy more unexpectedly.

Thanks

Of course opening the freezer would mean compromising all the food in there by letting the cold air out 😭. But cheaper to replace that than the med. but unsure if the med will stay colder in an unopened fridge or between slowly thawing peas

How hot is the room?

If it were my kitchen ie UK I'd say keep the door closed.

Can a neighbour help?

I wouldnt put the meds in contact with anything frozen- for fear of it getting frozen too. I would though add a bag or 2 of peas into the fridge, keep the meds at the base of the fridge at the back or crisper drawer and keep the door shut unless absolutely necessary to open it.

I'd google the brand/model of fridge you have and see if it tells you how long it will keep things cool with the electrics off. I know they provide this info for freezers, but not sure about fridges.

Could you put it into a friend/neighbours fridge in the morning?

Also- if the meds come in a box- keep them inside the box as this adds an extra protective layer against heat.

@Palavah

How hot is the room?

If it were my kitchen ie UK I'd say keep the door closed.

Can a neighbour help?

It’s probably similar to the uk temperature wise. It’s been around 16 today though but now that sun is down it’s obviously not as warm as it was with the sun streaming in. I was planning to put the med between the peas and put all that in the fridge rather than leaving it out in the kitchen if that makes sense. Just not sure which is colder for longer- unopened fridge or opened fridge to put the frozen stuff in and close again! Thanks for your reply

If the ambient temperature is very warm then adding something frozen to the fridge and then closing the door may be helpful.

If you add anything frozen to the fridge to keep it cool don't put it in direct contact with the medication as, depending on the medication, freezing may be just as much of an issue as warming.

What is the medication and how much longer would it normally last if it was stored in the fridge? Manufacturers often have some extra stability information for these types of situation, a pharmacist would be able to advise you.

@MarmiteCoriander

I wouldnt put the meds in contact with anything frozen- for fear of it getting frozen too. I would though add a bag or 2 of peas into the fridge, keep the meds at the base of the fridge at the back or crisper drawer and keep the door shut unless absolutely necessary to open it.

I'd google the brand/model of fridge you have and see if it tells you how long it will keep things cool with the electrics off. I know they provide this info for freezers, but not sure about fridges.

Could you put it into a friend/neighbours fridge in the morning?

I don’t know any of my neighbours (apartment block) as recently moved but I could knock in the morning I suppose. How early is too early?! Thank you

@AltitudeCheck

If the ambient temperature is very warm then adding something frozen to the fridge and then closing the door may be helpful.

If you add anything frozen to the fridge to keep it cool don't put it in direct contact with the medication as, depending on the medication, freezing may be just as much of an issue as warming.

What is the medication and how much longer would it normally last if it was stored in the fridge? Manufacturers often have some extra stability information for these types of situation, a pharmacist would be able to advise you.

It’s insulin. So fine out of the fridge for a month but only the vials in use if that makes sense. I wouldn’t be panicking if I was in the uk because I could ask for a box early but I can’t afford to do that here

Which drug is it?

Ps I was going to put the bags of veg around the box of med so not directly touching/ freezing the med

Sorry cross-posted

Could you ring a pharmacy in the country you are for advice tomorrow (or whenever day time is there?)

Putting bags of frozen veg in the fridge will keep it colder than not opening the fridge door

I'm not sure which timezone you are in - but you might be able to ask a pharmacy for help - I also don't live in the UK and we have to buy and store things like vaccines ahead of the drs appointments in our fridge. All pharmacies here have their own fridges and I often ask the pharmacy I buy the vaccine from if I can leave it in their fridge until my drs appointment to avoid having a similar issue with the fridge breaking down etc... I would think you might be able to ask for their help in an emergency?

Which insulin is it? And do you know what temperature the fridge currently is?

@Babadook76

Putting bags of frozen veg in the fridge will keep it colder than not opening the fridge door

Thank you, this is what I was wondering!

It’s tresiba and fiasp.

I will call the pharmacy tomorrow to see what they say, thanks for all the replies

I decided to sacrifice the freezer contents and have put the boxes of insulin between 2 bags of frozen veg (DC will be thrilled they’re going to turn to mush). Thanks for all the replies, hopefully will get it sorted asap tomorrow morn. Will phone the pharmacy and cross my fingers they say the med will be ok

Be really careful that the frozen veg doesn’t inadvertently freeze it. The insulin must not be used if it freezes.

If the fridge goes above 8 degrees you will need a shortened expiry. The Tresiba can be stored for a maximum of 8 weeks outside the fridge and the Fiasp 4 weeks. Good idea to check with your own pharmacist in the morning. Fingers crossed it all works out for you.

@HorsePark

Be really careful that the frozen veg doesn’t inadvertently freeze it. The insulin must not be used if it freezes.

If the fridge goes above 8 degrees you will need a shortened expiry. The Tresiba can be stored for a maximum of 8 weeks outside the fridge and the Fiasp 4 weeks. Good idea to check with your own pharmacist in the morning. Fingers crossed it all works out for you.

I recently moved so stored the boxes in an insulated cool bag with ice packs around them and they didn’t freeze so hoping this will work similarly! Thanks

What's your overnight temperature forecast? I was wondering if you could put it outside in a shaded and safe spot, maybe in a cool bag type thing if you have one.

Where I am it's 8°c overnight, and I think a fridge is something like 5°c.

@BocolateChiscuits

What's your overnight temperature forecast? I was wondering if you could put it outside in a shaded and safe spot, maybe in a cool bag type thing if you have one.

Where I am it's 8°c overnight, and I think a fridge is something like 5°c.

It’s 10 degrees now so better to hope the fridge/ veg keeps it cold