Drawing insulin from the Lantus pen?

[Dex & Ollie]

Hi everyone-- I bought the Lantus/glargine pen when Dexter was first diagnosed (in August). I had no idea how it all worked, so when the CVS pharmacist asked if I wanted the pen for $88 or the vial for $300, I chose the pen because it was cheaper and a smaller quantity of insulin (the pharmacist told me that the vial would expire before I could use it all; I now know refrigerated insulin can last longer than he said).

I need to increase Dexter's dosage to 1.25. When I bought then pen I didn't realize that it only dosed in increments of 1 unit, so doing 1.25 units isn't possible with the pen. My vet mentioned that she had heard of people using the Lantus pen to draw insulin into a U100 needle and stopping it up again. Is this possible? Safe?

I know the best option is just sucking it up and buying the $300 vial, but I wanted to see if this community had any advice on using the pen before I spent more money. This prince of a cat is already getting all my money in his luxurious wet food! Thanks in advance.

 

[LizzieInTexas]

My vet mentioned that she had heard of people using the Lantus pen to draw insulin into a U100 needle and stopping it up again. Is this possible? Safe?

Sure! Lots of us do it.

Here is a link with Info on it
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/syringe-insulin-info-handling-drawing-fine-doses.151/

Using syringes with a pen, cartridge, or vial:

• U-100 3/10cc syringes with half unit markings are the best to use for drawing Lantus, Basaglar, or Levemir from vials, cartridges, and pens.
• BD Ultra-Fine, CarePoint Vet, Monoject, GNP, UltiCare Vet Rx, Sure Comfort, and ReliOn are just some of the brands available with half unit markings.
• Syringes come in ½ inch or 5/16 inch needle lengths. Needle gauges are 29, 30 or 31 (31 being the thinnest)
• Full and half-unit syringe scales:

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Yes, using a U100 syringe is what most of us do for the reason you described to not be able to dose anything that isn't a full unit. And the needles that come with the pens are very cumbersome to use. Dexterity is much easier using the U 100 syringes to draw and shoot.

A lot of us here are using pens instead of vials since we can use the whole pen before it would go bad ( 6 months refrigerated ) where as a vial would likely go bad before you would be able to empty it.

 

[Rebecca.garfie]

I used the pen and just used syringes to take out what I needed much easier to do when you need small doses. Never had any problem with the pen going bad. Get the syringes that have smaller increments on them I can't think of the size right now not home to check box. It will be so much easier and you will he happier.

 

[Dex & Ollie]

Thank you so much everyone! This is really helpful.

 

[Joanne&TinySole]

Yup. Drawing doses from pens is the only way to go!!