for Americans only- are you able to pick up a new Lantus prescription before the old one is out?

S

soreto

Member
I was told by the pharmacist that Lantus expires 28 days after opened, so I will need to pick up a new vial soon. However, I thought it was a monthly prescription? The coupons for Lantus seem to only be able to used every 30 days. So is the 28 day thing real or just a suggestion?

I am also wondering, what if you are going out of town during the time to renew? Will they let you renew early?
 
Most US people use the Lantus pens instead of the vials. A box contains five 3ml pens. Each pen is good to the last drop. The entire box can last up to a year or more depending on the cat's dose.

You use the pen just like a vial: insert insulin syringe needle into the rubber stopper and draw out the insulin.

The prescription has to specify the pens.

The 28 day thing applies to Human diabetics who can use up a vial in that amount of time. Cats and their usually teeny doses can't use up a vial in 28 days. Some people have gotten a few months use out of a vial for their cat. I've never been able to get a vial to last more than a month.

With prescriptions in general, you can renew a prescription ahead of time. Just let the vet know.
 
squeem3 said:
Most US people use the Lantus pens instead of the vials. A box contains five 3ml pens. Each pen is good to the last drop. The entire box can last up to a year or more depending on the cat's dose.

You use the pen just like a vial: insert insulin syringe needle into the rubber stopper and draw out the insulin.

The prescription has to specify the pens.

The 28 day thing applies to Human diabetics who can use up a vial in that amount of time. Cats and their usually teeny doses can't use up a vial in 28 days. Some people have gotten a few months use out of a vial for their cat. I've never been able to get a vial to last more than a month.

With prescriptions in general, you can renew a prescription ahead of time. Just let the vet know.
Click to expand...
my concern was more that the insulin wouldn't be effective anymore after 28 days. but you are saying that hasn't been your experience?
 
Lantus pens are good to the last drop and that can be a few months after you start a pen. There is no loss in effectiveness. Some people do start a new pen early because they see higher than usual numbers and there's no other explanation. With vials, sometimes you see floaties in the insulin around after a month of use.

I think drug manufacturers have to specify an expiration date once the (Human) insulin is in use. FDMB Lantus users have found that the insulin can be used long past 28 days. Just follow the Lantus handling guidelines that apply to cats Sticky - Insulin Care & Syringe Info: Proper Handling, Drawing, Fine Dosing

@Sienne and Gabby (GA) @Wendy&Neko
 
soreto said:
my concern was more that the insulin wouldn't be effective anymore after 28 days. but you are saying that hasn't been your experience?
Click to expand...
No, as long as you keep it refrigerated (36-46* F) and keep the vial top clean/follow other safe handling practices, it should last longer than 28 days. When I got my first vial my pharmacist even said, "you're going to be able to use this FOREVER." However, like @squeem3, I haven't been able to use a full vial without starting to question if it's still good. I just checked my spreadsheet and it looks like so far I've been using each vial for about 45 days each.
 
@squeem3 @Lauren & Esse

thanks, this is super helpful! my vet is out of the office for the month. a different vet (same office) wrote me the renewal but evidently, they are not on some list GoodRx uses so I can't use the coupon for it. without the coupon, the insulin is super expensive. big pharma strikes again.

also thanks for the pen information- i think that might work better in the future once i get my kitty's BG in normal range.
 
GoodRx only lists pharmacies that accept the coupons, not vet offices or doctors offices. Most big chains like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, etc accept GoodRx and manufacturer coupons. Independently owned small local pharmacies may or may not.
 
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