How long do you use Levemir for?

[diggydog]

Hi All

Well my wee dog Alfie is doing great now I have managed to fine tune his dose of Levemir and he has been on it for 6 weeks now.
On my pen thingy it does say to only use it for 6 weeks then discard it.
I am wondering if anyone uses it for longer than this and if so for how long does is stay good to use?
2years of trying to get Alfie regulated and we are finally getting somewhere - (awesome curve results yesterday) but I dont want to screw all this up by using his insulin for longer than I should but he is only on 1 1/4 units in total a day so its such a huge waste if I need to fling it out?

 

[Vicky & Gandalf (GA) & Murrlin]

Just keep the pen/cartridge you're using and any unopened ones in the refrigerator. It will last till the cartridge is gone. The recommended discard of 42 days after opening is for people who don't refrigerate it. The whole point of the penfill cartridges or flexpens was to be able to have insulin which didn't need to be refrigerated so was warm on injection, so the 42 days recommendation is based on that.

I use 1 cartridge over 3 months and it's always fine. Any time I've thought one might have a problem, the poor numbers continued with the newly opened pen until I figured out what I was doing wrong with the dose!

Glad Alfie is doing so well!! I'm sure he feels better on Levemir! Thanks for checking in.

 

[Melissa&Paul-Kyle]

I keep mine in fridge and use it to last drop with consitent numbers...no problem.

I use needles only once and don't shoot back in tocart, but some here do and it still lasts them to the end.

The numbers ( daily home testing) will tell you.

Glad to hear your pup os doing so well! Very good for the both of you and thank you for being so proactive in the care of your sweet pooch. (((hugs)))

 

[Jaye and Chester]

Hi, Diggydog!

I recognized Alfie's name from over on the K9 diabetes website. I'm there as well with my diabetic dog, Robbie, and here with my diabetic kitty, Chester. Nice to see you at both spots!

 

[Michele&Molly]

Like the others have mentioned, i am able to use my Lev insulin until the last drop as long as i keep it refrigerated. Last year, during a power outage the cartridge i was using was left out at room temp for over 12 hours and then placed back in the refrigerator. Molly's numbers stayed consistent and i was thrilled!!

Diggydog's mom - it's great to see that Alfie is doing so well. You're in the UK if i remember correctly, are you able to get Lev easily?

Jaye - a canine diabetic and a feline diabetic? One word - wow! I have always been interested in canine vs. feline. Do you mind if i ask where you test Robbie (on him i mean, not like 'Oh in the living room', hee hee)? Do you use his gums? How would you compare the two? Is one easier to test, get blood from, than the other?

-Michele