Follistim Question

[megstoo]

I think I screwed up big time.  We're getting meds to start IVF and my cousin's wife gave me her Follistim that she never used and was extra - 2 cartridges of 900IU and another 600IU along with the pen.  NONE of these have been punctured and are still sealed in the box. I went out for dinner with a couple people from the fertility site I joined on FB and the question came up about refrigerated meds versus room temp.  2 said it needs to be kept cold and 1 said it's fine at room temp since it hasn't been punctured.   I called the manufacture but no answer yet and I called the nurse but no reply yet either.  Did I just F up all this med?  We're starting IVF in January and my protocol was for gonal but they said if I got follistim it was fine.  We're self pay and I haven't called in my Rx yet to the pharmacy.  

I have my centroite in the fridge and my menopur at room temp but what about the follistim?  

[icedcoffee]

Follistim needs to be refrigerated before you open it, but it's good unrefrigerated for 3 months, I think.

How long have you had it out?

What I'm not sure about is if you can keep it out for 3 months and then refrigerate it. Your nurse should know.

Once you open it you can keep it out for 28 days.

ETA: Here's the storage info:

Follistim AQ Cartridge 300IU, 600IU, 900IU - Store refrigerated until the

expiration date OR at room temperature (77°F) for 3 months or until expiration

date, whichever occurs first. Once the Cartridge has been pierced by a needle, it

can be stored for a maximum of 28 days refrigerated or at room temperature (36-

77°F). Protect from light. Do not freeze.

[shauni27]

I was always told to keep it in the fridge. Hopefully you can still use it!

[megstoo]

Nov 14, 2018 9:26:34 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Follistim needs to be refrigerated before you open it, but it's good unrefrigerated for 3 months, I think.

How long have you had it out?

What I'm not sure about is if you can keep it out for 3 months and then refrigerate it. Your nurse should know.

Once you open it you can keep it out for 28 days.

ETA: Here's the storage info:

Follistim AQ Cartridge 300IU, 600IU, 900IU - Store refrigerated until the

expiration date OR at room temperature (77°F) for 3 months or until expiration

date, whichever occurs first. Once the Cartridge has been pierced by a needle, it

can be stored for a maximum of 28 days refrigerated or at room temperature (36-

77°F). Protect from light. Do not freeze.

I've had it about a month and I know she got it filled in June of this year.  The expiration on the cartridge says 2020 and the label on the box says maybe stored either in refrigerator or at room temp.  

Thanks I was starting to freak out that I just ruined all of it.  Nurse did call me back and said I can keep it at room temp until it's punctured and then it needs to be used within 28 days.  

[icedcoffee]

Nov 14, 2018 10:13:55 GMT -5 megstoo said:

Nov 14, 2018 9:26:34 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Follistim needs to be refrigerated before you open it, but it's good unrefrigerated for 3 months, I think.

How long have you had it out?

What I'm not sure about is if you can keep it out for 3 months and then refrigerate it. Your nurse should know.

Once you open it you can keep it out for 28 days.

ETA: Here's the storage info:

Follistim AQ Cartridge 300IU, 600IU, 900IU - Store refrigerated until the

expiration date OR at room temperature (77°F) for 3 months or until expiration

date, whichever occurs first. Once the Cartridge has been pierced by a needle, it

can be stored for a maximum of 28 days refrigerated or at room temperature (36-

77°F). Protect from light. Do not freeze.

I've had it about a month and I know she got it filled in June of this year.  The expiration on the cartridge says 2020 and the label on the box says maybe stored either in refrigerator or at room temp.  

Thanks I was starting to freak out that I just ruined all of it.  Nurse did call me back and said I can keep it at room temp until it's punctured and then it needs to be used within 28 days.  

Did she store it in the fridge when she had it?  If so, I'd just throw it in the fridge now.

[megstoo]

Nov 14, 2018 10:16:36 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Nov 14, 2018 10:13:55 GMT -5 megstoo said:

I've had it about a month and I know she got it filled in June of this year.  The expiration on the cartridge says 2020 and the label on the box says maybe stored either in refrigerator or at room temp.  

Thanks I was starting to freak out that I just ruined all of it.  Nurse did call me back and said I can keep it at room temp until it's punctured and then it needs to be used within 28 days.  

Did she store it in the fridge when she had it?  If so, I'd just throw it in the fridge now.

I have no idea, I left her a message.  When she sent it to me it was in a padded envelope at room temp (she lives 13 hrs from me).  

[pickel]

Sounds like the nurse was ok with the room temp then? Maybe call one of the specialty pharmacies?

[icedcoffee]

Nov 14, 2018 10:26:33 GMT -5 megstoo said:

Nov 14, 2018 10:16:36 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Did she store it in the fridge when she had it?  If so, I'd just throw it in the fridge now.

I have no idea, I left her a message.  When she sent it to me it was in a padded envelope at room temp (she lives 13 hrs from me).  

I'd be nervous if she didn't refrigerate it.  That's 6 months and it says pretty clearly on the box that the max is 3 months.

[starryfish]

Nov 14, 2018 10:57:02 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Nov 14, 2018 10:26:33 GMT -5 megstoo said:

I have no idea, I left her a message.  When she sent it to me it was in a padded envelope at room temp (she lives 13 hrs from me).  

I'd be nervous if she didn't refrigerate it.  That's 6 months and it says pretty clearly on the box that the max is 3 months.

same here. I know you are trying to save money (i get it, we are self pay for IVF too), but you dont want to use a medicine that is not 100% in working condition, bc it could affect your results.