changing insulin - any one with recent experience

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kitcat

kitcat

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We're moving from novalin to lantus today so I thought I'd post a note out here to see what experience folks might have had with a similar change. Obviously, the routine stays similar as to testing and all that but if anyone has experience to share we'd love to hear from you. Also, please talk to me about Lantus "shelf life" - it's $120/bottle so tossing ever 28 days as on the instructions is an expensive decision (and I'd rather not have to do if there are folks with experience that shows it will extend beyond that, esp. if we're testing and monitoring carefully).

Thanks,
KitCat
 
have you checked out the info at the lantus insulin support group? Find out how it works because it is a totally different kind of insulin, and to save money, use the solostar pens instead of the vials

Jen
 
I'm not familiar with the pens you mention but will look at this link. If there are any recommended YouTube videos on that, it would be helpful too (I do see that others are using Lantus longer than the 28 days recommended). Thanks.
 
I have recently switched Tony from Caninsulin to Levemir. Lev and Lantus act similar in that they need to build up in the system (called the shed) to work optimally. Dosage needs to be stable for a few days in order to see how the cat responds to the dose. I found it quite frustrating at the beginning after using the shorter acting insulin and not being able to raise the dose when his numbers were high. However, now that his numbers are beginning to stabilise I can see that there is quite a benefit to the longer acting, more gentle action insulin.
 
I also just wanted to add in that there is a coupon I believe in the forum supply closet. It is 25.00 off your first prescription of lantus solostar pens. These will come in a pack of 5 pens, 3ml each. There is less waste that way and less money in the long run.
 
Yes, be sure to use the pens. The prescription needs to be written for Lantus Solastar cartridges.

The vial is 10 ml and will peter out long before you can use it up. Eact cartridge is 3ml and you get 5 in each box. The initial cost is a little higher, but it is a lot cheaper in the long run.

Since you are hometesting, Lantus should work fine for you. Refrigerate it, don't roll or shake it, and use syringes to dose your cat. The big difference I found was that you dose based more on the nadir test than on the AM or PM preshots.

Good luck with Lantus. All of my guys are on it (except the ones who went into remission after a short course of Lantus).

Claudia
 
I would definitely go with the pens if you can. My first vial petered out after a month, but granted, I didn't handle it well. I'm on my second vial now, and I'm past the month mark, so I'm hopeful I'll get a little more time out of it.

They are phasing out the opticlick cartridges in favor of the solostar pens. If you have a costco in your area, they may be willing to fill your script one pen at a time. Mine were $41 per pen instead of $205 up front for 5. Also, you don't need a costco membership to use the pharmacy... it's the law! Another option would be to call hospitals with outpatient pharmacies. They are often willing to sell pens one at a time.

Many people are able to use the pens until they run out of insulin in them.

It is generally recommended to hold your dose for 5-7 days to allow the lantus shed to fill and for you to see what the insulin is doing on its own without interaction from anything else in the system. Lantus is definitely an insulin that needs consistency, so it is a change in mindset on dose increases/decreases.

Good luck!! Hope to see you over in Lantus Land soon!
 
I would definitely go with the pens if you can. My first vial petered out after a month, but granted, I didn't handle it well. I'm on my second vial now, and I'm past the month mark, so I'm hopeful I'll get a little more time out of it.

They are phasing out the opticlick cartridges in favor of the solostar pens. If you have a costco in your area, they may be willing to fill your script one pen at a time. Mine were $41 per pen instead of $205 up front for 5. Also, you don't need a costco membership to use the pharmacy... it's the law! Another option would be to call hospitals with outpatient pharmacies. They are often willing to sell pens one at a time.

Many people are able to use the pens until they run out of insulin in them.

It is generally recommended to hold your dose for 5-7 days to allow the lantus shed to fill and for you to see what the insulin is doing on its own without interaction from anything else in the system. Lantus is definitely an insulin that needs consistency, so it is a change in mindset on dose increases/decreases.

Good luck!! Hope to see you over in Lantus Land soon!
 
I read this a couple of times and am going to view the video but what is the "upfront" cost that so many mention? Also, how much insulin do the pens hold? Without a picture, I'm struggling to "get" it....

Lots of good thoughts in here, especially about how the dosing and monitoring differ for the longer lasting Lantus from the other (sprinter) insulin.

UPDATE: just watched the video - pictures are definitely worth 1000 words (or 2000 in my case :-)). I wasn't thinking about the pen being the "vial" but thought it came loaded (or to be loaded) with smaller syringe fittings. But, now I can see - smaller vial and all that makes good sense to me. We'll ask about that next at the pharmacy (already bought the regular vial to get started on the change yesterday but thank you for future....and know that I'm really hoping that maybe we'll get "lucky" and outgrow this diabetic thing! even tho it's been too long on the juice to make that likely...miracles do happen!).

Thanks everyone!
KitCat and Sckwert
 
if you have to buy all the cartridges at once it is a big upfront cost, but they are a better value than the vials. The vials contain more insulin but generally has to be thrown out before used up. So, the upfront costs are more but end up being a better value
 
Each pen contains 100 units of insulin, and most pharmacies will require you to purchase 5 for a cost around $200 (call around before you buy). With proper handling, many people get many more than 28 days out of each pen. While some get 4-6 months out of a vial, I know others have not had that experience... depending how it's handled, insulin can go wonky after a month.

Depending on your dose and how you handle the insulin, the 5 pens should last you at least six months, and maybe even a year. While possible, you most likely will not get that much out of 2 vials, which will set you back $240 or so.
 
Really each pen contains 300 units of insulin. The vial contains 1000 units. So the volume of three vials equls that of tow five-packs of the pens.

Christie & Willie said:
Each pen contains 100 units of insulin, and most pharmacies will require you to purchase 5 for a cost around $200 (call around before you buy). With proper handling, many people get many more than 28 days out of each pen. While some get 4-6 months out of a vial, I know others have not had that experience... depending how it's handled, insulin can go wonky after a month.

Depending on your dose and how you handle the insulin, the 5 pens should last you at least six months, and maybe even a year. While possible, you most likely will not get that much out of 2 vials, which will set you back $240 or so.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks to all who have posted here. We'll try another "home curve" this weekend to see if things are stabilizing. It's been about a month but the complication of the infection (kidney and bladder) she has made it tough to see if there is a pattern developing. Hopefully we'll get thru that soon. Otherwise, her spirits are much better and she's eating better though still not back to her" pre-infection in full swing" weight.
 
Re: Re:why does the online for humans say Lantus is a 24-hou

kitcat said:
http://www.lantus.com/learn/about-lantus.aspx

I'm following the vet's 2X daily but what is the deal with this?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Once daily dosing is recommended for humans. Cats' metabolism is faster than ours, one daily dosing does not work for them, no matter the insulin, unless the cat is nearly off insulin and needs only periodic insulin help.
 
OOOOHHHHHH - good to know on the insulin 2x/daily. Obviously I follow the vet's instructions but it's good to understand some of the details! Thanks!
 
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