Methylcobalamin question

[Galixie]

So far the mighty google is failing to give me an answer, so I'm hoping one of you good people know.

How long can injectable methylcobalamin stay unrefrigerated and still be usable?

[Sewnsew]

I think you would need to ask the manufacturer. Give them a ring or drop them an email if you have their details!

[drumdoit]

methylcobalamin will keep unrefridgerated untill its sellby date i never put mine in the fridge as long as there are no serious fluctuations of temperatures you will also need to keep it covered so that no daylight gets at it--i use tin foil to wrap it in

[Lindax]

I keep my vials and syringes in the cuboard, you don't need to put the fridge.

[herbs in reply to Lindax]

If you are using cyanacobalamin that is fine but methylcobalamin must be kept in the fridge or it will not work. It loses it's potency.

[Galixie]

Thanks. I haven't gotten the methyl yet, I'm just trying to think ahead. I live in a tin can (aka trailer) so the temperature does fluctuate pretty wildly. In the summer, whatever temperature it is outside, it will be about 10 degrees warmer inside. So, sometimes, it is over 90 degrees indoors for weeks at a time. (Thank god I don't live in a truly hot climate!)

Unfortunately I also have to contend with random power outages, and that is what is prompting the question. The way I've dealt with this for the cyano I've been using is to have a little fireproof safe that I store it in. The extra insulation keeps the contents of the safe from getting too far above normal room temperature. But I thought methyl needed to be kept colder than room temperature, so it's good to know that the same method will probably work.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Galixie]

check the packaging when the methyl arrives - it should give the temperature range - think the most important thing though is keeping it out of light ... which a small fire-safe should do

[Galixie]

I just thought I'd update: It turns out that my methylcobalamin does need to be refrigerated. When I mentioned my worry about power outages I got a bit of interesting information. Apparently the pharmacy that makes the methyl has stated that it can be frozen between uses. If I keep it in the freezer most of the time it is less likely to get warm enough to become inactivated in the case of a power outage. At most it might simply thaw out before I have time to get it somewhere cold again or the power returns. So, for now, that's the plan.