7/15 Luci AMPS 244,2+197,4+217,7+210,PMPS 241, 2+217 - Does anyone use Lantus PENS? vs Vial?

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Sue and Luci

Sue and Luci

Member Since 2017
I'm shopping around for my next purchase of Lantus - Luci's supply is getting low. Anyone have info on Lantus Pens vs Vials?
I'm close enough to Canada to drive across the bridge to buy one or the other at Shoppers Drug Mart for a better price than I can buy it here in the states...just want to make sure I'm getting the longest lasting/best price. Thanks!

Yesterday - languishing

Isn't that just like a cat?:eek:
The ONE day I'd like to do something she has to pull out the fireworks - deep diving with the sharks and then soaring to the moon - and yesterday = nothing!:facepalm:

So do you think I should discuss out loud that I have a doctor's appointment on Monday with an Orthopedic-Spine specialist? And that DH is driving me? That is not a time when I'm going to be able to sit here and monitor her crazy numbers! :banghead: We will have to leave on time and leave her with her auto feeder - and hope for the best! :nailbiting: Today...nothing going on so much...and watch she'll just be languishing there in those higher numbers...let's see if she'll prove me wrong...:confused:
 
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Luci, what are u doing in the dreadful yellow dress.? Go on down to the lagoon where I think Bella is heading (I am at work8
 
Bellasmom said:
Luci, what are u doing in the dreadful yellow dress.? Go on down to the lagoon where I think Bella is heading (I am at work8
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I'm thinking maybe she's still in the 'bounce' from that low she hit on Friday?:confused: Wondering how long it'll take her to break the bounce? Most likely tomorrow - when I have to leave for doctor's appointment...don't you think?:joyful: She's got that contrary kitty-cat radar of hers going - I think she watches me to see what I'm doing (like changing my clothes, etc) ? :DDon't you???:D:D
 
Smokey use to read my work schedule, I swear. The night before I would have to work, he would have a pj party. Or the morning of an appointment he would dive. Many of times he would come with me to appts. I think he planned it that way.
 
The pens worked much better for me because I could use to the last drop. I had to throw out vials at 5-6 months. You use the pen like a vial with syringes. I had mine shipped from Canada so good that you are close enough to drive.
 
tiffmaxee said:
The pens worked much better for me because I could use to the last drop. I had to throw out vials at 5-6 months. You use the pen like a vial with syringes. I had mine shipped from Canada so good that you are close enough to drive.
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Does the pen have the little rubber stopper? How do you draw the insulin out into your syringe? Luci has always been a fairly low dose girl (between .50 and 2.5)

Oops:oops:...I've found the Sticky on using the Lantus pen...reading now :) Thank you for your prompt responses! Video is not very helpful - as she doesn't discuss how to draw insulin into your own syringe :( Only showing you how to use the pen itself...oh boy :rolleyes:
 
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I use the pens as well, and I'm liking them. I think the vials technically have more insulin than the pens, but the pens last longer. Also Sienne reminded me that if you accidentally drop either, the pen has protective plastic around it to protect it where the vial is glass and will likely shatter.

I do use the syringes with the pens. It does have the rubber stoppers.
 
Amanda and a Loudogg said:
I use the pens as well, and I'm liking them. I think the vials technically have more insulin than the pens, but the pens last longer. Also Sienne reminded me that if you accidentally drop either, the pen has protective plastic around it to protect it where the vial is glass and will likely shatter.

I do use the syringes with the pens. It does have the rubber stoppers.
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Oh good! The video is showing me all about how to use the 'needle' on the pen! I doubt that I'll do that...I need to draw out Luci's tiny dose into my syringes...you draw it out through the rubber stopper?
 
I started with the vial and switched to the pens. I like the pens much better and you draw the insulin out of the rubber stopper just like the vial. Don't get the needles that come with the pens. You can dial in doses on the pen, but only in one unit increments, so we don't recommend doing that.
 
Do NOT use the pen needles. They are not calibrated for less than 1.0u doses. You need to use a syringe to dose in small increments (e.g., if your dose is 2.5u, the pen will dispense either 2.0 or 3.0u.) If the pharmacist tries to sell you the pen needles, politely refuse. Most vets and even pharmacists don't realize you can draw insulin from a pen exactly the same way you do from a vial. The vials contain more insulin but with a box of pens, there is actually more insulin since you have 5 pens.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
The vials contain more insulin but with a box of pens, there is actually more insulin since you have 5 pens.
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Good information - I just watched the Sticky Video about drawing from the rubber stopper on the pen - good to see it's fairly the same as the vial except not to push air into the pen (as I do with the vial). Yes, I also understand about the pens vs my syringes. I will continue to draw insulin from the pen 'cartridge' with my syringes and use my calipers to measure for accuracy :) Love that tip!

So one question - I'm puzzled - you say 'vials contain more insulin but with a box of pens, there is actually more insulin' since you have 5 pens...I suppose I can figure it out once I get it - but obviously hoping to get the best value. My vial says 100 u/ml and is that also the total for 5 pens? I can only see pictures on line.

Thanks!
 
I use the pens too as others have said you can get out every last drop. And the vials expire after opening long before you can use it all up unless you have a high dose kitty. And as Sienne mentioned, use a U100 syringe to draw up the insulin out of the pen and do not use the needles that come with the pens for the reason she mentioned and also they are very very cumbersome.
 
A vial has a 1000 units in it. The pen has 300 units, but there are five in a package, so you get 1500 units total. If you go to Canada, ask for a five pack of cartridges, not the pens. Cartridges are like a pen refill. Smaller, less extra stuff and few bucks cheaper. And if you like saving money, you can try a couple different pharmacies in Canada. I always find Shoppers Drug Mart to be the high price option. Safeway Pharmacy was cheaper, as was Loblaws/Real Canadian Superstore or Costco. Though it may depend on which province you are in. Don't forget your cool pack for the trip.

Which video were you watching originally? The one in the Sticky Note does not show using the pens by themselves. The first part is Julie drawing insulin from a pen into a syringe.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
A vial has a 1000 units in it. The pen has 300 units, but there are five in a package, so you get 1500 units total. If you go to Canada, ask for a five pack of cartridges, not the pens. Cartridges are like a pen refill. Smaller, less extra stuff and few bucks cheaper. And if you like saving money, you can try a couple different pharmacies in Canada. I always find Shoppers Drug Mart to be the high price option. Safeway Pharmacy was cheaper, as was Loblaws/Real Canadian Superstore or Costco. Though it may depend on which province you are in. Don't forget your cool pack for the trip.

Which video were you watching originally? The one in the Sticky Note does not show using the pens by themselves. The first part is Julie drawing insulin from a pen into a syringe.
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Yes, that's the one I saw - http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/syringe-insulin-info-handling-drawing-fine-doses.151/

It's a brief presentation about drawing with my syringe through the rubber stopper on the pen. Since I don't have it yet I was curious about that part. I think we're going to be okay. I'm not sure DH will 'shop' around - pretty much get to the closest Pharmacy and get back across the border - but I'll do some research - thanks so much for the tip!

And now the power is out ... it's 90 degrees and the power is out ...and so is our generator! DH is back there now trying to fix it - it's a whole house generator so it may be complicated - hope not - but so far he doesn't know why it went out...hope he can get it fixed soon! Power company estimates repairs will be done by 10:30 tonight - so hopefully one or the other! :)
 
Wendy votes for the cartridge (no plastic outer shell) and I vote for the pen. I liked having the plastic casing since it reduced the potential for the inner cartridge breaking if it banged into something or was dropped.
 
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