Just bought new U-100 Insulin Syringes need help converting

[alohaamoore]

I have been using U-40 1/2 mL 29 gauge Insulin Syringes from my vet and I just purchase the U-100 3/10 mL 30 gauge 8mm (short needle) ReLion Insulin Syringes from Walmart. Nala has been getting 1 unit on the U-40 1/2 mL syringes and the pharmacist told me it's the same on the U-100 3/10 mL syringe it just has half unit markings but since the mL are different doesn't that mean the dosage would be different? It seems like the diameter on the U-100 syringes is skinnier than the previous U-40 syringe I have been using. I would ask my vet but she specifically told me not to get any other syringes bc the measurements are not the same but it's $30 at the vet and $13 at Walmart!

I really want to be sure I am giving her the right dose, Can anyone with experience using these syringes give me any advice? Thanks!

 

[KittyMom777]

Re: Just bought new U-100 Insulin Syringes need help convert

I'm pretty sure you need to use the correct syringes for the insulin you are using. U-100 insulin needs U-100 syringes. I wouldn't take the risk of using a U-40 insulin with a U-100 syringe no matter the saving. Can you take them back?

 

[alohaamoore]

Re: Just bought new U-100 Insulin Syringes need help convert

Ohhh ok gosh I guess I should have done my research more thoroughly I didn't realize U-40 and U-100 meant different insulins. I pretty sure you can't return diabetic supplies at Walmart and I already opened one of the bags in the box... so I will just have to spend the extra $$ to get the syringes at the vet since I have about a couple days worth of syringes left :/

Thank you!

 

[BJM]

Re: Just bought new U-100 Insulin Syringes need help convert

We have a conversion chart! Keep the syringes!

U-100 means 100 units per mL
U-40 means 40 units per mL, a concentration 40% lower than U-100.
Marks on a U-100 syringe can be multiplied by 0.4 to get the U-40 dose, as follows:

0.5 * 0.4 = 0.2 units U-40
1.0 * 0.4 = 0.4 units U-40
1.5 * 0.4 = 0.6 units U-40
2.0 * 0.4 = 0.8 units U-40
2.5 * 0.4 = 1.0 units U-40

 

[alohaamoore]

Re: Just bought new U-100 Insulin Syringes need help convert

Thank you so much!!! So just to make sure (because I am slow and very dumb when numbers and math are involved lol... ) I will give her 2.5 units on the U-100 syringe which will be the same as 1 unit on the U-40 correct??

And also... What does the "1/2 mL" on the U-40 and the "3/10 mL" on the U-100 mean?

We have a conversion chart! Keep the syringes!

U-100 means 100 units per mL
U-40 means 40 units per mL, a concentration 40% lower than U-100.
Marks on a U-100 syringe can be multiplied by 0.4 to get the U-40 dose, as follows:

0.5 * 0.4 = 0.2 units U-40
1.0 * 0.4 = 0.4 units U-40
1.5 * 0.4 = 0.6 units U-40
2.0 * 0.4 = 0.8 units U-40
2.5 * 0.4 = 1.0 units U-40

 

[BJM]

Re: Just bought new U-100 Insulin Syringes need help convert

Edited to add the decimal.
The 3/10 or 0.5 mL refer to the syringe capacity, which is expressed as milliliter (mL).

Yes, the 2.5 on a U-100 syringe * 0.4 = 1 unit of U-40.

We have a full conversion chart here.

 

[KittyMom777]

Re: Just bought new U-100 Insulin Syringes need help convert

I would just advise you to be very careful. Its hard enough getting doses correct without having the added necessity of converting. If you are sure you can get it right then no worries. Personally I would rather keep it simple!

Juliet and Silver

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Re: Just bought new U-100 Insulin Syringes need help convert

I think you mean "3/10 or 0.5 mL"

The 3/10 or 5 mL refer to the syringe capacity, which is expressed as milliliter (mL).

Yes, the 2.5 on a U-100 syringe * 0.4 = 1 unit of U-40.

We have a full conversion chart here.

 

[KittyMom777]

Re: Just bought new U-100 Insulin Syringes need help convert

My point exactly Larry and Kitties.....far far too easy to make mistakes when converting.

 

[BJM]

Re: Just bought new U-100 Insulin Syringes need help convert

Thanks Larry - sometimes I miss when typing on my phone. I edited the post above to fix that and marked it.

Juliet - Not so big a problem if one takes the time to ask questions to be sure of understanding.

Those of us using U-40 insulin and U-100 syringes either learn it well enough that it is memorized or we use the conversion chart. With the half unit marked U-100s, every tick mark is 0.2 units. Its quite easy to count 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, etc.

And the reason those of us with a U-40 insulin are using U-100 syringes is the finer measurement it enables. For example, I give Gracie 0.8 units of ProZinc when she is between 250-300 mg/dL. Other than wishing for better eyesight, I can adjust up or down from there as I need to and quite easily.