Do I need to refrigerate until I get home??? and savings car

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JenM

Member Since 2013
So, just picked up our first Lantus pen.

While at least Costco sells them individually (with Costco savings card it's $71) - I was disappointed that for whatever reason, the Lantus Savings Card did NOT work. She even called, and they said a) it's only for humans and b) the program ended July 31st. Which is interesting since it's still up on their website as of 45seconds ago.

Granted, I printed this card back in November - but it doesn't SHOW any expiration date. And I cant remember if I put it in my name or his. So, I paid the $71. Next time we get it, I'll try again - with HIS name for sure on the request, and I'll sign up the same week I go get it. The only way they'd know it is a cat is because the pharmacy called them. I dont know... is there some other secret to making this work? Assuming you guys have used it, since this is where I found out about it.

It was pretty funny too... assuming because I'd never filled there before, they made me talk to the pharmacist (annoying since the whole process had already gone well over my lunch break). She asked if I'd used it before or not, nope. Then she saw the 1u and just kinda stared at it. I told her it was for a cat. I asked her to verify that it was a u100 insulin and she looked at me like she had no clue what I was talking about. So I said "I use a u100 syringe, not a u40 syringe, yes?". Blank stare. The she says "it's going to be really hard to draw up 1u in a u100 syringe" - I'm not sure what she was talking about... did she think I meant a 100 unit syringe?? I just said nevermind and left. WHY on earth I had to talk to her, I have no idea. LOL They advertise widely around here that they have pet meds in their pharmacy - you'd think they'd know a LITTLE at least. :roll:

Anyway... my QUESTION. It says "DO NOT REFRIGERATE after opening" blah blah. I ignore that, yes? And... what about UNTIL I open it? Do I need to put it in the fridge now? It doesn't seem like they had it refrigerated... it's coolish, but not cold. I have it in my purse at the moment. I wont be home for about 3 more hours.
 
Re: Do I need to refrigerate until I get home??? and savings

You don't have to refrigerate the pens. That is one of the great things about the Lantus pen!!
 
Re: Do I need to refrigerate until I get home??? and savings

Hi Jen,
Yes, you should refrigerate the opened pen. The insulin will keep its potency much longer if you refrigerate it. (the do-not-refrigerate instruction is meant for humans, who have much larger doses and therefore use up their pen in the 28-day period the manufacturer designates as how long Lantus lasts.) Most people on the board find that they can use the pen until it is empty, as long as they keep it refrigerated and treat it gently (do not shake or roll the pen). Put it in a small box and keep it in a part of your fridge where it is safe from freezing and where it doesn't get shoved around.
If you are buying a box of 5 pens, you should keep the unopened pens in the fridge.

Sorry about the card. People who have gotten the discount say that you must indicate that the "patient" is 18 years or older. You don't have to say it's for a cat.

Good luck.

Ella & Rusty

P.s. Suzanne's Cobb is a high dose kitty, so she doesn't have to refrigerate the opened pen!
 
Re: Do I need to refrigerate until I get home??? and savings

You don't have to refrigerate it, but it will last longer (than the 28 days stated for the expiration once opened) if you do refrigerate it.

They would probably still know as it is a Rx from a vet , but you can try. MDs have a special code that vets don't have when writing Rx. I've heard that Target will honor the cards even if they do know that it is for a pet.
 
Re: Do I need to refrigerate until I get home??? and savings

I understand that I should refrigerate the opened pen so that it lasts longer. I'm just wondering if I need to stick the UNopened pen in the fridge at work until I leave, or if it's good in my purse till I get home in a few hours. It sounds like it's probably ok in my purse. At this point, I'm headed home in just over an hour anyway.

Interesting about the card. On the site, it allows a parent to sign up for a child under 18. I'm not sure if they enter his birthdate in the system or not when they're filling the Rx... so wanted to use the actual birthdate so it matches. I dont think our Target has a pharmacy... but they might. I'll call around next time.

Even so, $71 is cheaper than the ProZinc was... not sure how long it'll last... but we'll find out. :)
 
Re: Do I need to refrigerate until I get home??? and savings

FYI -- the "special" code is a DEA number. It's only needed for certain drugs like narcotics. Most MDs just have the number printed on their Rx pads or they are automatically entered if they use on-line prescriptions.
 
Re: Do I need to refrigerate until I get home??? and savings

The Costco pharmacist said that the DEA number (thanks Sienne for got the name of it) was needed to use the card too. Maybe it's not supposed to be required for that, but that is what I was told.
 
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