Having problems with Relion syringes...

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Pumbaa

Pumbaa

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I picked up Relion syringes, half-unit markings, 30 gauge needles, 5/16" length, at Walmart last week. But I have tossed a few already as they seem to trap way too much air that I can't get rid of. Am I doing something wrong?

Here's my routine (I do the same with the Walgreens syringes):

1) Take caps off syringe and move the plunger a few times to get it working easier.

2) Press plunger in firmly before inserting in Lantus pen to make sure no air is in the syringe. Pen is laying down on the counter.

3) Insert needle in Lantus pen, and pull plunger out to the 2 unit mark. Pull syringe out of Lantus pen.

4) Hold syringe up, pull plunger back a tad to have air at the top, then tap gently to dislodge any air bubbles. But it seems like there is always a large air bubble at the top of the plunger that won't go away.

5) Depress plunger to remove air and to make sure the dose is correctly at 1 unit.

It's that large air bubble on the plunger that bothers me, since I can't get rid of it, and wind up discarding the entire syringe and starting over.

I think I am going to return these as defective, and get half-unit syringes at Walgreens.
 
When you are drawing up the insulin is the pen still laying on the counter or are you inverting it and holding like you would a vial? I use Relions and my technique is:

Take caps off.

Move plunger up and down a couple of times quickly to get it moving freely.
press plunger tightly against the bottom and hold it there while inserting it into the inverted pen. so the pen is on the top of the syringe.
Then draw the dose slowly, draw a little extra insulin that what I need.
remove pen, lower the plunger about another unit down to give a gap to collect air bubbles in.
Then tap it pretty sharply sometimes gently just doesn't work...you got to pop that sucker...lol
then push out the air, with the extra insulin, check to make sure the dose is correct...feed and poke kitty.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
I had a terrible time using the Relion syringes. I don`t know if it was me or the brand. I always got air no matter what I did, tried everything pushing the plunger first several times, using new ones, throwing some away. Nothing worked and when I used the Lantus pens it was even worse.
I never tried another brand so I am not sure if the others work any better.

Terri
 
Over the last 7 months with Musette I have used 4 different brands and I keep going back to the Relions as so far they have been the best for me. It is probably one of those where everyone has their own personal perference. The worst ones I have used were the Monojects out of 100 syringes I ended up trashing 75 because the needles were visibly twisted and rough. Loved the unticare pet ones but they are impossible to microdose with because they have a triple bevel on the needle so drops don't form well and slid down the needle. Other than that they were smooth as silk going in.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Mel, we use the exact same technique except that I keep the Lantus pen lying on the counter. Next shot I'll try holding the pen above the syringe, but I think this is due to the syringes, not the position of the insulin pen, because I don't have this problem with the Walgreens syringes. Maybe I got a defective batch of the syringes?
 
Terri, I'm glad it's not just me with the air bubbles in the Relion syringes. I opened two separate packs in the box of 100, and still had the same problem.
 
Maybe contact the pharmacy or the manufacturer expressing the problem. If they never hear about it, nothing will change!

And, FDA could be notified too, of a 'defective' product problem, in case something systematic is ocurring which might put human health at risk.
 
I have been using Relion syringes for about 3 years now with no problem. The last box I bought - I had a terrible time with the big bubble (like you described). I bet I got rid of 1/4 of the box. It happened about the time they changed their packaging.

Pattie
 
Patty: I'm glad you knew what I was talking about! I used a Relion tonight and didn't have the problem. But I sure hate wasting the insulin when that big nasty bubble occurs. I still think I am going to take these back and get Walgreens syringes.
 
BJM said:
Maybe contact the pharmacy or the manufacturer expressing the problem. If they never hear about it, nothing will change!

And, FDA could be notified too, of a 'defective' product problem, in case something systematic is ocurring which might put human health at risk.
Click to expand...

Good ideas, BJM. :)
 
MommaOfMuse said:
When you are drawing up the insulin is the pen still laying on the counter or are you inverting it and holding like you would a vial? I use Relions and my technique is:

Take caps off.

Move plunger up and down a couple of times quickly to get it moving freely.
press plunger tightly against the bottom and hold it there while inserting it into the inverted pen. so the pen is on the top of the syringe.
Then draw the dose slowly, draw a little extra insulin that what I need.
remove pen, lower the plunger about another unit down to give a gap to collect air bubbles in.
Then tap it pretty sharply sometimes gently just doesn't work...you got to pop that sucker...lol
then push out the air, with the extra insulin, check to make sure the dose is correct...feed and poke kitty.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
Click to expand...


I am using the BD syringes.
What I did different; I did not move the plunger up & down too much, pull it down once & slowly "turn" the plunger as it go up. Like screwing it up. The rest is the same.
I still have bubble trapped but easier to expell.
 
MommaOfMuse said:
press plunger tightly against the bottom and hold it there while inserting it into the inverted pen. so the pen is on the top of the syringe.
Click to expand...


I used a Relion syringe tonight and did it this way with the pen on top. Still had lots of small air bubbles which I was able to tap away, but not the large one I had experienced before. Don't know if the better result was the technique or the syringe. More testing will tell. :)

Nope...it's the syringes. I used Relion again this morning, and had the Lantus pen above the syringe, and there was still that one big air bubble on the plunger that would not tap away.
 
I got the new syringes at Walgreens this afternoon, and ironically, they look EXACTLY like the Relion syringes.

I can not see any discernible difference between them. But at least the lot number is different, so hopefully I won't have the same problems with these!
 
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