Prefilling syringes?

Panters-mom

Panters-mom

Member Since 2020
Hi there! Preparing for the holiday with a catsitter. Last time we had help we used insulatard with insulin pen - very easy, but now with the prozinc and drawing up insulin everytime with regular syringe... I was wondering - how is it to prepare the syringes in front, with other words - will the insulin be okay for several days in the syringe (in the fridge)? (And of course the bottle will be there too, if there should be a need for change in amount of insulin). Anybody know?

Best regards, Gøril and Panter :)
 
Hi Goril ,
While I know that prefilling syringes is not advised here I have found myself in situations where I had no choice. I’ve experimented with efficacy several times and have not found that prefilling for a few days has effected the insulin. Again, I’ve only done this when I’ve had no other choice but have had to several times.
 
No, the lubricant inside the syringe barrel can alter the insulin. Here is a quote from a study done using Lantus, but it applies to insulin in general.

Prefilled syringe stability
The stability of Lantus when it is prefilled into syringes and stored up to 7 days was evaluated using four different types of syringes (Aventis, data on file). The following syringes were tested (200 syringes of each type): 1) BD Ultra-fine, U-100, 0.5 ml, 30 G 1⁄2 inch (Becton Dickinson [BD]); 2) BD Ultra-fine II (short needle), U-100, 0.5 ml, 30 G 5/16 inch (BD); 3) Walgreens super thin syringes, U-100, 0.5 ml, 29 G 1⁄2 inch (Walgreens); and 4) Reli-On insulin syringes, U-100, 0.5 ml, 30 G 5/16 inch (Wal-Mart). The syringes were stored either at 41°F (5°C) or 77°F (25°C) for up to 7 days, after which the Lantus solution was tested for filtration time, byproducts, insulin glargine content, and m-cresol (preservative) content. The Lantus solution was visually inspected and pH measured every day (except days 4 and 5). Microbial contamination was not evaluated in this study. Results Visual appearance at 41°F (5°C). The Lantus solution became turbid more quickly in the Walgreens syringes compared with those of BD and Reli-On. By day 3, the Lantus solution was turbid in all four syringe types. After 2 days of storage in the Walgreens syringes, the Lantus solution did not meet specification.

Visual appearance
at 77°F (25°C). The Lantus solution became turbid in the Reli-On syringes by day 2, and turbidity occurred in the Walgreens and BD Ultrafine II syringes by day 3. After 6 days of storage in the Walgreens syringes, the Lantus solution did not meet specification. A placebo solution stored in the Walgreens syringes at each temperature did not become turbid over 7 days. Insulin glargine content, byproducts, filtration, and pH. For each syringe type, the Lantus solution complied with specifications. m-Crescol content. For each syringe type, the Lantus solution complied with specifications.

Summary
Aventis Pharmaceuticals does not recommend prefilling syringes with Lantus and storing for any period longer than needed for application. In addition BD states the following (9): “BD does not recommend that any of our syringes be prefilled more than a few minutes in advance of the injection. There are no conclusive studies to determine the safety or risks associated with this practice."
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I'm not so sure that Prozinc mixes the same way with the syringe lubricant as Lantus does.
Prozinc has a different base than lantus.

The issue with pre-filling the syringes with prozinc, is getting that insulin back into suspension in the tiny volume of the syringe. Hard to shake the small dose in a syringe, and get it mixed back up well.

Goeril, Is your cat sitter going to be able to test Panther?
 
Panters-mom said:
Hi there! Preparing for the holiday with a catsitter. Last time we had help we used insulatard with insulin pen - very easy, but now with the prozinc and drawing up insulin everytime with regular syringe... I was wondering - how is it to prepare the syringes in front, with other words - will the insulin be okay for several days in the syringe (in the fridge)? (And of course the bottle will be there too, if there should be a need for change in amount of insulin). Anybody know?

Best regards, Gøril and Panter :)[/QUOTE

we have actually pre-filled a syringe. But mostly because I can’t see the lines clearly. So my husband would fill it leave it in a cup in the fridge. So less then 10 hours. And then I would leave it out for 5 min, and flip it, and roll it and inject as normal. When tested it worked. He was going down.
Not sure I would go more then a day.
Jessica :)
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Thanks everybody! Understand. I guess I can let the two catsitters draw it up them self - it is just me being a control freek trusting myself more with those small amounts and tiny differences..:rolleyes: About testing Deb - not really sure yet, but yes I believe I will be able to teach the catsitters. It's pretty easy now - his ears are use to it and the weather (and ears;) are warm... But I think I will stick close to the insulin dose we are on now (2.4u) - kind of high in the +12, but down in yellow/blue on nadir. Right now I'm trying tiny increase to 2.5u. The two cat sitters are not stepping in before the beginning of July. Does this sound like a good idea?
 
A tiny dose increase sounds fine.
Sure wish there were some BG tests in the PM cycle, after the pre-shot test, to see what is going on with Panter's BG levels then.
 
There are people that use calipers to measure the tiny doses in the syringe, to get some better consistency. A good thing to do, especially since the markings on the syringe barrels are not always printed accurately. Calipers work.
 
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