First time drawing from a pen

[fearlessmom]

Just read the post, "Lantus pen technical discussion regarding needle/syringe/refrigeration" and am still confused over whether I should refrigerate once used or not. I know the manufacturer says not to refrigerate unless pen is unused, but they also say use only 28 days and we all know that's not true. Fearless is on 1u and I plan to use the pen with a syringe (just because I'm used to the syringe, not because I have any experience using the pen needle alone).

Would be happy to hear what others think about how to store my new pen, before and after first use. Also, does it matter whether it's stored vertical or horizontal? I plan to follow FDMB instructions on how to draw into the syringe, but any pointers beyond those instructions would be appreciated.

 

[rawia]

I do not have much experience but many members and i myself refrigerate the pen to stay longer, take it out 30 minutes before shot time just to let the insulin warm a little before use it.

I kept it out just once and through it after 28 days as the manufacture said but that was waisting of the insulin.

Hope others will help

 

[Stacy & Asia]

I think the vast majority of people that post here regularly keep their insulin in the fridge and dose with syringes. Most cats take longer than 28 days to go through a pen and you can keep it longer in the fridge. I don't ever leave my pen out of the fridge to warm, I draw the dose and put it right back. If you need to warm up the insulin, you can keep the syringe filled with insulin out for a few minutes, but I wouldn't leave that be for 30 minutes either. The lubrication in the syringe can degrade the insulin so it's best not to hang on to it too long. My cat doesn't seem to notice cold insulin, but she has never gone much over 2 units, perhaps it's more jarring with higher doses, but I can't speak to that. I don't know if there is a proper way to store a pen, vertically or horizontally? I leave mine horizontally on an upper shelf (warmer) near the front because I'm more afraid of it freezing (which ruins it and makes it unusable) than warming up a tad when I open and close the door.

 

[Doodles & Karen]

I wouldn't leave that be for 30 minutes

I agree, no need for this. Just draw it up and put it back. I placed my pen in a Tupperware container so it was mostly vertical and also to protect it from getting knocked over/around in the fridge. The pens can last upto 6 months refrigerated.

 

[fearlessmom]

I placed my pen in a Tupperware container so it was mostly vertical

When you say vertical, which side is "up"? Or does it matter? I understand the rationale behind not pre-filling syringes but I do remember reading something about storing pre-filled syringes needle end up and that made me wonder if there were similar rules about storing a pen. Maybe overthinking it, but appreciate all the comments.

 

[Doodles & Karen]

I don’t recall that it matters but my was stored with the cap side down

 

[AZJenks]

You should absolutely refrigerate your pen. It maximizes the life of the insulin and the usefulness of the pen.

Take it out of the refrigerator just long enough to draw the dose with your syringe, then put the pen right back in the fridge.

Once you've done that, set the syringe out on the counter for a couple of minutes to let it warm up a bit because injecting cold insulin can be uncomfortable. Then go ahead and give your kitty the injection.

As for the orientation of the pen in the fridge? I think it's all personal preference. I store mine lying flat.

 

[fearlessmom]

May I add one more wrinkle to this conversation: Another member suggested to me that the way to use the pen with the syringe is to set the dial on the pen for the needed dose and push the plunger while withdrawing the insulin. That's not what the How To video shows. It shows drawing the insulin from a pen into a syringe just as you would from a vial. Which is more correct?

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Which is more correct?

Just pull the insulin out of the pen like it was a vial....the only difference is with a vial, you're supposed to inject air into the vial first to maintain the vacuum...with the pens, you don't inject air in since it has it's own mechanism

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

set the dial on the pen for the needed dose and push the plunger while withdrawing the insulin

The dial does absolutely nothing unless a pen needle is used. Just ignore it.

Doesn't matter which way you store it - up, side, down, etc...but do refrigerate. I've used pens stored properly until the last drop of the last pen over a year later.

HUGS!!