Tiny air bubble at bottom of cartridge in Lantus pen?

[Julie and Honey]

I know that a large bubble ie. air injected intentionally in a cartridge is not good and renders the pen useless. I have been extremely careful to make sure there is no air in syringe when drawing insulin specifically because of this. Today I noticed a very tiny air bubble (probably 1 mm in size or possibly smaller) clinging to the black plunger at the bottom of the pen cartridge. I am waiting to see if pharmacy (bought locally) will replace as I just bought this a week ago. If they will not, is this safe to use? I cannot afford to replace a brand new pen.

Thank you.

 

[Julie and Honey]

I know that a large bubble ie. air injected intentionally in a cartridge is not good and renders the pen useless. I have been extremely careful to make sure there is no air in syringe when drawing insulin specifically because of this. Today I noticed a very tiny air bubble (probably 1 mm in size or possibly smaller) clinging to the black plunger at the bottom of the pen cartridge. I am waiting to see if pharmacy (bought locally) will replace as I just bought this a week ago. If they will not, is this safe to use? I cannot afford to replace a brand new pen.

Thank you.

FYI I contacted Sanofi and they said a small bubble can be present in a new cartridge either from shipping or manufacturing. They said it should not affect the quality of the insulin. A large bubble or cloudy off color insulin would be a concern. If anyone has different info from the manufacturer or another verified clinical source regarding small bubbles and efficacy of insulin, please let me know.

I do not know how to remove question mark on this post...

Thanks

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I know that a large bubble ie. air injected intentionally in a cartridge is not good and renders the pen useless.

That is not true. If you use the pen to actually dispense the insulin with a pen needle then with air in the cartridge the dialed dose will not be accurate.
If one uses a vial, the instruction say to inject air into the vial equal to the amount of insulin to be removed. Thus, air has little effect on the insulin, the only effect would be small degradation due to the oxygen in the air causing the degradation.

 

[Julie and Honey]

That is not true. If you use the pen to actually dispense the insulin with a pen needle then with air in the cartridge the dialed dose will not be accurate.
If one uses a vial, the instruction say to inject air into the vial equal to the amount of insulin to be removed. Thus, air has little effect on the insulin, the only effect would be small degradation due to the oxygen in the air causing the degradation.

Ok, thanks, just going by what was said in the video of how to draw with syringe from cartridge. In the video it was stated because there was air accidentally injected in cartridge it was rendered unusable. I took that to mean any air in cartridge, (because it acts differently than a vial, which you can inject air into) meant cartridge was no good. Again, this was not injected air, but was in a new cartridge.

I’ll see if I can remove this post. I should have thought to call manufacturer before I posted this, I apologize for any confusion. Thanks.

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

No need to remove it - others may have the same question, search and find your post with answers! All questions serve a purpose.

I've had a bit of bubble in pens off and on for years - never had an issue due to it.

 

[Julie and Honey]

Thanks.

Oh well, already asked moderator to remove, and the next time I took the pen out of the fridge, the bubble was gone, lol. I spend a lot of time worrying for what often is not worth it.