Lantus dosing

[Chris & China (GA)]

There is a lot left in the current vial but I was told it is only good for two months.

Absolute nonsense....we have people here that use the same vial for 6 months (sometimes more) As long as it's clear with no floaties, you should expect to get at least 4-6 months.

I haven't used the pens yet, but aren't they supposed to last longer than the vials? Are there any downsides to using the pens?

Each pen only holds 300 units (a vial holds 1000) so you're usually going to be able to use every drop in each pen, where with the vial, unless your cat is on a pretty high dose, there will come a time when it starts to lose efficacy and you do end up throwing some away.

At 1.5 units twice a day, each pen would last about 3 1/3 months....then you still have 4 in the fridge!

We use the pens as "mini-vials"....you just pull the cap off and there's a rubber stopper just like a vial has. You continue to use regular insulin syringes (NOT the special "pen" needles) and just pull the insulin out of the pen.

 

[Julia78]

OH!!! I had no idea I'd still be using the syringes with the pen. I will definitely get the pens the next time. Thank you, Chris.

 

[Julia78]

I totally get you. I’m playing that game with Minnie now too. It just goes to show you that even though I’ve been at this a lot longer, I still have my chicken moments. I think it’s the right move so let’s see what happens

Hi Ale,
I hope you are well.
Pepper has been on his new dose of Lantus for over a month now and his numbers don't seem to be improving. Do you think I should increase his dose? I know I should have started a new thread, but I can't find the place where I can do so. I'll look around more after I send this to you. Thank you! : )

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Hi Ale,
I hope you are well.
Pepper has been on his new dose of Lantus for over a month now and his numbers don't seem to be improving. Do you think I should increase his dose? I know I should have started a new thread, but I can't find the place where I can do so. I'll look around more after I send this to you. Thank you! : )

You can post on the Lantus forum for feedback too, but yes I’d increase to 1.5. You’ve been at the same dose for too long. Have you picked a protocol to follow? Even under SLGS you’d still increase after a week of not seeing results. You need to keep increasing by .25 after a week at least. Don’t hold the does this long anymore unless you’re seeing low nadirs.