How long does your Lantus last?

[mimi1997]

I am reading sticky, it said some members have theirs for 6 months, R-E-E-E-A-L-L-Y?
My very first vial has been opened for 28 days, looks clear....

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Most of us do not use the vials -- we use the pen or cartridge.

The members of the German forum have gotten as long as 6 mos. from their Lantus. There are a few people here who indicate they've used their insulin for that long, but it's rare. Many people get longer than the manufacturer's recommended 28 days. There are those of us who routinely switch out our insulin after 28 days -- I'm one of those people.

 

[mimi1997]

it's said a vial costs more in long run.
I am still with my first vial and it is only been used very little of vial.

What's the advantage of pen v.s. cartridge? I am going to ask my vet for a new prescription.
Where can I buy beside local pharmacy, any reliable internet seller?

Most of us do not use the vials -- we use the pen or cartridge.

The members of the German forum have gotten as long as 6 mos. from their Lantus. There are a few people here who indicate they've used their insulin for that long, but it's rare. Many people get longer than the manufacturer's recommended 28 days. There are those of us who routinely switch out our insulin after 28 days -- I'm one of those people.

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

I am still with my first vial and it is only been used very little of vial.

That's why! Everything is in one bottle and if it goes bad everything goes bad. The cartridges and pens are divided up into 5 containers, so if it goes bad you only throw out 1/5th. You are also getting 15ml in the pens or cartridges not 10ml as in the vial.

If you get a new prescription ask for the pens. Someone said the cartridges were being discontinued next spring. It is cheaper to order from Canada (check w/ Ella and Stu) , you still need the rx and be careful in the winter as Lantus cannot freeze.

 

[mimi1997]

Then I may start with local first.
We just need the refill bottles and using syringe to draw insulin, not inject our cats with pen? We don't need to buy the special needle for this pen, right?

I am still with my first vial and it is only been used very little of vial.

That's why! Everything is in one bottle and if it goes bad everything goes bad. The cartridges and pens are divided up into 5 containers, so if it goes bad you only throw out 1/5th. You are also getting 15ml in the pens or cartridges not 10ml as in the vial.

If you get a new prescription ask for the pens. Someone said the cartridges were being discontinued next spring. It is cheaper to order from Canada (check w/ Ella and Stu) , you still need the rx and be careful in the winter as Lantus cannot freeze.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

You are correct -- you still use a syringe (and not the needle that comes with the pen). The dosing on the pens isn't as accurate or small as we need it for kitties.

I like the pen. It comes in a plastic sleeve and it doesn't roll around the way the cartridges do. I have granite countertops and do my shooting in the kitchen. If I were to drop the cartridge, I'd have glass and Lantus all over the place. The pen keeps the interior glass container shielded from klutzy people like me!

If you call around you may be able to find a place that will sell you one pen or cartridge so you can try it out. One of the medical center pharmacies in my area will sell individual pens. Many/most places will not split up the boxes, though.

 

[Pamela and Lightning]

I was just about to start a question like this one. I'm trying to get a new prescription for the pens instead of the vial....I feel like i'm just throwing money away with the vial!! Lightning is on such a small amount that I never use all the insulin and i find that I have to get a new one after a month or so each time. Mine never lasts long and i envy the people that it does last for!

So I talked to my vet today and she's having a bit of heartburn with giving me the new script. She thought i was going to use the pen to actually give the insulin injection and i told her i would use the normal u100 syringe to take it out of the pen and then give it to Lightning. Although we were on the phone, i could tell she gave me a funny look....She's very helpful, but i don't think she knows all that she claims to know about FD and Lantus. But I still give her the benefit of the doubt.

So if i get a new script, does it have to state its for 3mL pens? She wasn't sure how to write it so i get what I need. Can someone help me?

 

[squeem3]

I am reading sticky, it said some members have theirs for 6 months, R-E-E-E-A-L-L-Y?
My very first vial has been opened for 28 days, looks clear....

I had a bottle of Lantus last 4 months before it pooped out. A bottle usually lasted a month or so.

it's said a vial costs more in long run.
I am still with my first vial and it is only been used very little of vial.

It does.

Say you currently pay $100 for the bottle of Lantus and let's assume that it poops out every month. You will have to shell out $100 every single month for a bottle and gets barely used because your cat only needs a small amount every day.

If you buy the cartridges or pens instead, you save money. Say a box of cartridges costs $150. A box contains five 3ml cartridges. Each cartridge would be $50 each. A cartridge (or pen) can last a little more than a month. So the box will last about 5 months.

Which would you prefer? Spend $150 for a 5 month supply of insulin and throw away 2ml or so of insulin each month -or- spend $500 over 5 months for a new bottle that is going to be tossed still nearly full (9ml or so)?

What's the advantage of pen v.s. cartridge? I am going to ask my vet for a new prescription.

They're both used the same way: insert insulin syringe needle into the rubber stopper and use just like an insulin bottle. It doesn't matter which one you use.

Where can I buy beside local pharmacy, any reliable internet seller?

Some people buy from online Canadian pharmacies. You can start a new post asking for recommended Canadian pharmacies.

 

[mimi1997]

Thanks. No doubt I SURELY like $150 for 5 months insulin instead of $500. I do have a lot of insulin (very likely 8 or 9ml) left and I feel bad to throw it away.
By the way how you guys throw it away, in sharp container?

Does the "pen" comes as a package? We don't need its pen but only the "refill" or small bottles? I called Target earlier and I think the pharmacist said I need to buy a pen?

I am reading sticky, it said some members have theirs for 6 months, R-E-E-E-A-L-L-Y?
My very first vial has been opened for 28 days, looks clear....

I had a bottle of Lantus last 4 months before it pooped out. A bottle usually lasted a month or so.

it's said a vial costs more in long run.
I am still with my first vial and it is only been used very little of vial.

It does.

Say you currently pay $100 for the bottle of Lantus and let's assume that it poops out every month. You will have to shell out $100 every single month for a bottle and gets barely used because your cat only needs a small amount every day.

If you buy the cartridges or pens instead, you save money. Say a box of cartridges costs $150. A box contains five 3ml cartridges. Each cartridge would be $50 each. A cartridge (or pen) can last a little more than a month. So the box will last about 5 months.

Which would you prefer? Spend $150 for a 5 month supply of insulin and throw away 2ml or so of insulin each month -or- spend $500 over 5 months for a new bottle that is going to be tossed still nearly full (9ml or so)?

What's the advantage of pen v.s. cartridge? I am going to ask my vet for a new prescription.

They're both used the same way: insert insulin syringe needle into the rubber stopper and use just like an insulin bottle. It doesn't matter which one you use.

Where can I buy beside local pharmacy, any reliable internet seller?

Some people buy from online Canadian pharmacies. You can start a new post asking for recommended Canadian pharmacies.

 

[mybuddybinks]

i know this sounds like a "duh" comment...but it's something that i messed up the first time i got lantus pens. i had a little trouble with the first pen on the first day...so i drew from the second. now i understand that the 28 days (or however long)...starts from the first day you breaks the nipple/seal with a syringe/needle.

silly, i know...but they don't call me "Silly Celi" without cause.. :smile:

and i've not used the cartridges...but i love the solostar pens.

celi & binks

 

[jan and Hep and sara (GA)]

Mimi,

I buy the pens. They come 5 to a box. They look similar to a pen and you pull the cap off to get to the rubber stopper. I get 2-3 months from mine. Well at least 2. I actually draw more than I need so I can get rid of any of the pesky bubbles. Which Ella of Ella and Stu has a great tip to help with those.

A while ago someone posted a coupon for lantus. I'll see if I can find it.
Try this. Some folks around here already have and it brought the price down dramatically.

http://www.yourrxdiscounts.com/printabl ... 7&g=313433

Good luck.

jan and sara

 

[Barb & Checkers (GA)]

Celi, I just posed that very question last night. I did the same. Used a pen one time, didn't like that it had bubbles in it, so started another.
Then when the second was done, went back to the first. Checks got wacky/wonky numbers while using it. Threw it away and started a new one last night.
Today his numbers are so much better. In fact he surprised me with a 39 this morning. So, apparently the one I started and stopped, turned to crap.
Or maybe it was already crap from the bubbles in it. Forty bucks in the trash :!:

 

[LynnLee + Mousie]

fwiw, we use the pens and they come 5 to a pack and yes the script has to be written for "lantus solostar pens"

a pen lasts us about 2-2.5 months so a 5 pack is going to get us nearly a year's worth of insulin

 

[mimi1997]

Wow? How many unit (drop) you are using? That's $1200 v.s. $150. a year.
Does the useless pen (for cats) come with the package?

fwiw, we use the pens and they come 5 to a pack and yes the script has to be written for "lantus solostar pens"

a pen lasts us about 2-2.5 months so a 5 pack is going to get us nearly a year's worth of insulin

 

[Jenny and Sue]

I asked my vet to write a script for (5) 3ml Solostar pens. When I got to the pharmacy, I told them I did not need the pen thing that came with it. I bought BD syringes with 1/2 marks. I'm in Ohio and it cost me $234 for 5 pens at Walgreens. Apparently I should have shopped around, but I needed the Lantus right then!

 

[jan and Hep and sara (GA)]

Mimi,

My cat uses 1/2 unit twice a day. But like I said I always draw off more than I need to fine tune the dose and to get rid of any bubbles. Here is a picture of the pen so you can get a better idea to what it looks like.

http://www.lantus.com/solostar-insulin- ... n-pen.aspx

You pull the top of the pen off and it exposes the lantus with the rubber stopper on the end. You get 5 of these in the box.

I don't know if you saw it but I posted a coupon for lantus on my previous post. It's 75% off and I guess its been tried and it worked.

Good luck with your kitty.

jan and sara

 

[squeem3]

Thanks. No doubt I SURELY like $150 for 5 months insulin instead of $500. I do have a lot of insulin (very likely 8 or 9ml) left and I feel bad to throw it away.
By the way how you guys throw it away, in sharp container?

Treat it like medical waste. So it goes in your Sharps container.

Does the "pen" comes as a package? We don't need its pen but only the "refill" or small bottles? I called Target earlier and I think the pharmacist said I need to buy a pen?

Then Lantus pen is also know as the SoloStar pen. Here's a drawing of what it looks like:

Actual pen:

For diabetic cats, use the SoloStar this way:

The Lantus OptiClick cartridges are used in diabetic cats the exact same way as the SoloStar pens.

 

[LynnLee + Mousie]

Mousie gets 1u BID and no you don't need that separate pen thing the pharmacist will try to sell you

 

[mimi1997]

G-R-E-E-E-A-T! Thanks for the link! :razz:

Mimi,

I buy the pens. They come 5 to a box. They look similar to a pen and you pull the cap off to get to the rubber stopper. I get 2-3 months from mine. Well at least 2. I actually draw more than I need so I can get rid of any of the pesky bubbles. Which Ella of Ella and Stu has a great tip to help with those.

A while ago someone posted a coupon for lantus. I'll see if I can find it.
Try this. Some folks around here already have and it brought the price down dramatically.

http://www.yourrxdiscounts.com/printabl ... 7&g=313433

Good luck.

jan and sara

 

[mimi1997]

Super!!! I can't thank you enough for the pictures!

Thanks. No doubt I SURELY like $150 for 5 months insulin instead of $500. I do have a lot of insulin (very likely 8 or 9ml) left and I feel bad to throw it away.
By the way how you guys throw it away, in sharp container?

Treat it like medical waste. So it goes in your Sharps container.