Recommendations on where to buy insulin and how long does it last

[Julie + Muffin]

Hi
We are finding we can't buy insulin for less than about $300 a vial. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, it says it is only good for 28 days. Are you using it longer than 28 days? Our caretaker had Lantus for her personal use and could get it so much cheaper but she is leaving and now we are faced with buying it at the high price. Any advice/recommendation etc. much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Squalliesmom]

A lot of us here buy Lantus from Marks Marine pharmacy in Canada, much cheaper than in the US. The best buy is the pens, they will last a long time. Most of us use our Lantus until it is gone, or obviously becomes ineffective, well beyond 28 days.

ETA: You can also check out the Supply Closet here, sometimes folks have Lantus for sale at a reduced price.

 

[Becky & Baby Girl GA]

I bought Prozinc insulin from Allivet in Florida. It was $99 and $29 to cold ship. This is an insulin specifically for cats & the least expensive I could find. I did read that is could be used as long as it wasn’t cloudy & free of floaters. Of course if the kitty’s #’s stayed in the normal range. It might be worth it to compare prices for lantus. Hope this helps.
If anyone has a less expensive pharm for this I’d appreciate the info! Thank you all

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

the least expensive I could find.

Actually, Lantus and ProZinc are about the same cost and if you get Lantus from Canada, it's even cheaper

ProZinc is a U40 insulin, so each 10ml vial holds 400 units (at about $100)....so that's 25 cents per unit

Lantus is a U100 insulin, so a 10ml vial holds 1000 units (at about $300)....so that's about 30 cents per unit....BUT if you buy it from Marks in Canada, a 10ml vial is only $110 + 25 shipping, so total $135.....about 13.5 cents per unit

The pens are even better than the vial since you can use every drop. They're $165 + 25 so total is $190 for 1500 units...that's only 12.6 cents per unit......half the price of ProZinc

 

[Julie + Muffin]

Actually, Lantus and ProZinc are about the same cost and if you get Lantus from Canada, it's even cheaper

ProZinc is a U40 insulin, so each 10ml vial holds 400 units (at about $100)....so that's 25 cents per unit

Lantus is a U100 insulin, so a 10ml vial holds 1000 units (at about $300)....so that's about 30 cents per unit....BUT if you buy it from Marks in Canada, a 10ml vial is only $110 + 25 shipping, so total $135.....about 13.5 cents per unit

The pens are even better than the vial since you can use every drop. They're $165 + 25 so total is $190 for 1500 units...that's only 12.6 cents per unit......half the price of ProZinc

I don't know anything about pens? Do you extract the insulin the same way with a needle? Sorry have to plead total ignorance here

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Do you extract the insulin the same way with a needle?

yes...you just use regular insulin syringes (not the special needles that they sell with the pens) and pull the insulin out. The only difference is you don't shoot air into the pens like you do with vials....they have their own vacuum so it's not necessary