Lantus Pen Air Bubbles-help please

[Deena and Malby]

Hi there,
I just started my 2nd Lantus Solstar pen and am having issues with it drawing out air bubbles. I draw the insulin out with a syringe for precise dosage.
I had no issues with the first pen. However on my new pen, when I pull the syringe back, I'm getting air into the syringe. Like atleast a unit or more worth! This is a brand new pen and there are no air bubbles in it at all.
Here's my method, I make sure the syringe is pushed all the way forward and I keep my thumb firmly placed on it while inserting it into the solstar pen making sure air will not get in. Then I slowly draw back the plunger to the desired dosage and remove the pen.
The problem is not the syringes. I still had a little insulin left in my first pen so I tested that one again thinking it might have just been a faulty syringe but it worked fine. I even tested that theory twice but no air was drawn into the syringe so the problem is not my syringes.
Has anyone had this issue with the solstar pen? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Deena

 

[Doodles & Karen]

I fought bubbles on and off the whole time Sometimes they were small, large or non at all. Draw up more than what's needed, tap the syringe to get the bubble at the top toward the needle and expel to the right dose.

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

Try pulling slower and leave needle in for a few seconds - many times it equalizes. Hope this helps, bubbles are pesky things!

HUGS too!

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

What helped me was drawing very slowly. The bubbles can be a nuisance for sure and caused some wasted insulin in order to get them all out. Good luck.

 

[Bronx's dad (GA)]

One member here that was having issues with air bubbles said these syringes worked the best for them. I never tried them and only 60/box, but maybe give em a try? https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/5739/ulticare-u-100-vetrx-half-unit-insulin-syringes

 

[AZJenks]

Bubbles are just a fact of life.

Here's my pro-tip:

Once you've drawn your dose (plus whatever excess you're comfortable with), withdraw the needle. With the tip pointed straight up, give the barrel a good thwack with your finger to bring the bubbles to the top.

This next part is counter-intuitive, but it works. I promise. Now, pull back on the plunger to draw in more air. It doesn't have to be much. The equivalent of a few units should be sufficient. This does two things. First, it sucks any liquid still in the needle into the syringe and clears the airway for the next step. Second, for reasons I can't explain, the larger air space helps the bubbles to coalesce.

Then, slowly depress the plunger to expel the air pocket. Once you get a drop of liquid at the needle tip, you should be free of any bubble issues.

Hope it helps!

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

This next part is counter-intuitive, but it works. I promise. Now, pull back on the plunger to draw in more air. It doesn't have to be much. The equivalent of a few units should be sufficient. This does two things. First, it sucks any liquid still in the needle into the syringe and clears the airway for the next step. Second, for reasons I can't explain, the larger air space helps the bubbles to coalesce.

Then, slowly depress the plunger to expel the air pocket. Once you get a drop of liquid at the needle tip, you should be free of any bubble issues.

Yes, this does help a lot!

 

[Kathy and TiTi]

I use the slow method, but I stopped trying to expel the bubble left - I wasted a lot of insulin that way, and the bubble was not totally expelled. If I get a bubble now, I just shoot it anyway. This is sub-q so there's no danger of inserting air into a vein, so...

 

[Deena and Malby]

Thanks to all!!!

 

[Mandy & Rex (GA)]

Bubbles are just a fact of life.

Here's my pro-tip:

Once you've drawn your dose (plus whatever excess you're comfortable with), withdraw the needle. With the tip pointed straight up, give the barrel a good thwack with your finger to bring the bubbles to the top.

This next part is counter-intuitive, but it works. I promise. Now, pull back on the plunger to draw in more air. It doesn't have to be much. The equivalent of a few units should be sufficient. This does two things. First, it sucks any liquid still in the needle into the syringe and clears the airway for the next step. Second, for reasons I can't explain, the larger air space helps the bubbles to coalesce.

Then, slowly depress the plunger to expel the air pocket. Once you get a drop of liquid at the needle tip, you should be free of any bubble issues.

Hope it helps!

I do the same! If I couldn't get the bubble to expel then I just draw in more air and it expels much easier.

 

[Squalliesmom]

Thanks to all!!!

Malachai is gorgeous! I have a male marbled Bengal and a female silver Bengal. Love Bengals!

 

[Glennie]

Hi there,
I just started my 2nd Lantus Solstar pen and am having issues with it drawing out air bubbles. I draw the insulin out with a syringe for precise dosage.
I had no issues with the first pen. However on my new pen, when I pull the syringe back, I'm getting air into the syringe. Like atleast a unit or more worth! This is a brand new pen and there are no air bubbles in it at all.
Here's my method, I make sure the syringe is pushed all the way forward and I keep my thumb firmly placed on it while inserting it into the solstar pen making sure air will not get in. Then I slowly draw back the plunger to the desired dosage and remove the pen.
The problem is not the syringes. I still had a little insulin left in my first pen so I tested that one again thinking it might have just been a faulty syringe but it worked fine. I even tested that theory twice but no air was drawn into the syringe so the problem is not my syringes.
Has anyone had this issue with the solstar pen? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Deena

I have the same problem. I freaked at first, thinking something was wrong with the insulin, but everyone said it was okay. I do what AZJenks suggests. I do waste some insulin, but it is what it is. My problem with the air bubbles is that it affects the amount she's getting.