Does anyone know where i could purchase single pen?

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mybubba

Member Since 2013
Hi Everyone,
I have not been on the board in some time and had to change username cause I couldn't get on.
Anyway, Bubba has been on Lantus for about 1yr. Doing well. I'm currently out of a job and refuse to take him off Lantus. Has anyone in NJ had luck in purchasing single Lantus pen? I've read online that its done but no luck so far. Cost upfront for one is way less for me. Thanks so much, I have very little Lantus left and I'm in a tizzy.
Jackie
 
I'm in Central NJ...my Target Pharmacy, in the Nassau Park Shopping Center, sells me individual Lantus pens. Additionally, they accept the Lantus coupon, so right now, I'm getting the pens for $25 each.
 
Hi!
Thank you so much for the reply!
Question, do you think they just do it for you? I've called a million places and the rejection :(
Also, I tried to get the coupon from Lantus and it won't work. How much are they without coupon?
Thanks so much.
 
If Amy's suggestion of Target doesn't work, you'll need to call around. There isn't any consistency even with the big chain pharmacies as to whether they will sell a single pen. Some Sam's Clubs, Costco's, etc. will sell a single pen -- and you don't need to be a member to use the pharmacy. I'd also try calling hospital pharmacies (try their outpatient pharmacy) since they routinely break up the boxes if they are using the pens for individuals who are hospitalized. Some people have reported being able to get pens from Craigs's list.

You can find the Lantus discount coupon on the manufacturer's website.

You might also want to post a note on the Health board or on the Community board here. There may be someone in your area who wants to split a box. There is also an FDMB Facebook page and I'd suggest posting there for the same reason.
 
Sienne already mentioned Sam's/Costco. I got my single pen at Sam's but even then it was specific to THAT Sam's..another I called would not.
Once thing I learned both then and recently when calling around for someone else is that it is a good idea to call pharmacies near areas of large older/retired folks. There is a big regional grocery store w/ pharmacy near me i discovered will break boxes because many of their customers want singles. But if you called another location of same store you likely would get a different answer. I heard this same thing from a former pharmacy tech at either CVS or Walgreens..who said the store he had been out was near a large active retirement community and they also sold singles.
I would use that as a lead for where to start calling.

Here is the link for the discount card. Some have had issues getting it accepted but many apparently have also had success.
http://www.lantus.com/considering/save-on-lantus/default.aspx


Also- did you see Venita's post yesterday. GREAT tips: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=107413

Good luck!
 
we had a Sav-on pharmacy located in a regional grocery store that would sell single pens. we paid $43 a couple of years ago.

i ended up buying 3 boxes of pens for just over $200 off of craigslist from someone whose diabetic parent had died. asked all the questions, it had been taken care of just fine and it lasted as long as we needed it. i think that's a good option if you can't find someone to sell one pen.
 
OK guys! I was pretty much in tears for the last hour or so but finally thank god found a CVS that sells them as a single. $77.00 Higher than I thought but I'm in a pinch here. The pharmacy did mention I'd need a new needle that had a different tip? Is that true? I have bd 8mm 31 gauge. Is there a learning curve when going from vial to a pen? I guess I could look for a video.
Sorry for the million questions and the out patient pharmacies was a no go. They said they no longer do it .
PS. He said he will try the Lantus coupon!! Pray it works
 
No, you don't need the needle tips. They are presuming you are injecting directly from the pen. You are going to use a syringe and a lot of pharmacists/techs don't realize you can do that. You use the pen like a mini-vial. There's a video of using the pen in the Lantus info, storage & handling sticky.

With the coupon.... Don't say it's for your cat. Indicate it's your child (if you need to provide that info.) Otherwise, state the recipient is over 18yo and doesn't have insurance.
 
Hi
OK yes, I didn't think I would need the needles as well.
How is the pen stored in the fridge? Laying down I would assume? Not upright in a cup like the vial? Good idea on the coupon. Im still trying Costco and Sam's on Monday!
Thanks again. What a relief to have it for him!
 
Hope the discount card works..in case not, also ask them if they will price match other pharmacies.
Even though Costco would not break a box and Sam's would, Sams cost more but price matched to 1/5 the cost of what Costco charged for their full box and it saved $$ on the individual pen.

Here is also a tip I saw from a member (Kpassa) in another thread:
You might run into issues with these cards since many pharmacies require an NPI number before using them and just recently, the DHHS has revoked most vets' NPI numbers. :roll: In those cases, the AVMA recommends that veterinarians ask pharmacies implementing the NPI system to use software that allows a prescriber to bypass the NPI for veterinary prescriptions, or alternatively, use a generic NPI number for veterinarians in order to get past that screen....
Click to expand...

see if that helps.
 
Thanks everyone! I will keep you updated!
I will use my current needles and Google how to store the pen, also calling Costco n Sams tomorrow!
 
The pen works on a negative pressure system. So do NOT inject air into the pen. There is a plug at the back of the pen that moves down the cartridge as you withdraw insulin and keeps the pen sealed. As a result, it doesn't matter how you store the pen. I would just make sure that no matter where you store the pen or whether it's upright or on it's side that it doesn't roll around.
 
Some people will keep it upright in a cup, others laying down. I think either is fine. You can also still put it inside something else regardless...box, cup, tupperware for extra protection- always good. But also the pen itself being encased in plastic additionally has its own layer of extra protection should it be dropped or something....that's another plus.
 
doesn't matter how the pen is stored (horizontal or vertical) as long as the temperature is constant, just like with the vial. you don't have to google how to take care of it, it's all in the sticky with the link that sienne gave you. here's the video. there's other good info on the sticky as well.

[youtube]u4KtK_skpmQ[/youtube]
 
Hi Guys!
I got the pen today for 25.00!!!
So this may sound dumb but there is only one Lantus pen right? Solostar. The directions say dont refrigerate store and room temp. Then they told me it shouldn't be used with a needle as you can cause infection??? What the heck is he talking about? I have the vial down so this whole room. temp no needle thing? Bought the special tips to shut them up. Just 10 so not a lot of cash.
 
Awesome!. Who did you end up using who took the discount card?

Return the pin needles. You don't need them. You use it with a syringe just as you do with the vial. Read the sticky (link above) and watch the video Julie provided again.

Yes there is only one Solostar pen. And you do want to store it in the refrigerator. (again- see sticky) Lantus is a human insulin and humans will use it quickly enough that leaving it out is a non-issue in terms of compromising its' longevity. It will last much longer stored in the refrigerator.
I'll bet they pulled the box out of the refrigerator at the pharmacy, yes?
 
Thank you! Cvs took it! I could have cried I was so happy! OK, I will put it in the fridge!
I will watch the video again , thanks for making it for me :)
 
Awesome that you found a place to sell the single pen and take the coupon! I know the feeling...I was ecstatic when the coupon went through for me, too! Have a great night!!
 
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