How long does our vial of Lantus last?

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Jennifer and Spot (GA)

Jennifer and Spot (GA)

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I read under "Newbie here - some advice needed please" re Lantus the following:

be aware that you get more mileage out of the 5 solostar pens. you pay more initially but they last longer than a vial. you can use these to the very last frop and can last up tyo 6 months. the vial lasts 28 days maybe a little longer and you are throwing away most of it.
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True? WE were told by our vet Lantus lasts up to six months! I think we have been giving Spot Lantus for almost a month, so now I'm wondering if it is no longer as strong as it was. And if we need to buy new Lantus, which was expensive at $125.

Anyone?

Jennifer
 
The reason we recommend the pens over the vial, is that you only open one pen at a time, so if it does go bad before it's used up, you haven't wasted as much insulin as you do with the vial.

Now that being said, the manufacturer suggests opened insulin only last a month or so. However, people here have been able to use their insulin for longer than that without problems. Insulin needs to be kept in the fridge (opened and unopened), treated gently, not rolled or shaken, and as long as you don't see floaties, cloudiness or any discoloration, chances are the insulin is good.

However, if you notice that the BG's are getting wonky and your insulin is a bit older, then it may be time to open a new insulin.

Hope that helps.
 
Here is some great information about extending the life of your insulin: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151.

The key word with the vial is that it can last up to six months. However, it's only guaranteed for 28 days. You can increase the odds of your Lantus lasting longer by handling it properly, and usually it will last longer than 28 days, but there's no guarantee. I started with the vial, and I didn't realize that you weren't supposed to inject excess insulin back into the vial once it was in the syringe, so the vial didn't last longer than 35 days. After that I got the pens, so just in case I messed something up like that again I wouldn't be wasting so much money.
 
I am still using a vial that I opened back in September. I test before every shot and know it is still working. However, I have also had other vials that I was lucky if it continued being effective until 2 months after opened. As long as you are testing and am getting decent numbers, keep using until it poops out.
 
I opened my last vial at the end of January and am still using it. I keep it in the original box, in a stable area where it wont get knocked over, don't shoot excess into the vial, and don't shake it. I plan on using it until it stops working or use it up. My vet (who specializes in treating diabetic cats) says that many of her patients can get 4 months from a vial. I would probably prefer the pens but my hubby is unemployed so its too difficult to come up with $225 for them. Jan
 
I use the pen cartridges and they last me about 3 months on a 1u dose and I use them all up. If you draw insulin into a syringe it comes in contact with the silicone lubricant inside the syringe and when you shoot it back in, it can contaminate/degrade the entire vial. That is also why you cannot draw syringes in advance.
 
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