LANTUS PENS OR REFILL CARTHAGES?

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Frosty

Frosty

Member Since 2012
Just back from pharmacy and was told Lantus only comes in the pen no refill Carthages. Since the cost is $245 for a box I want to make sure that I can draw the insulin from the pen with a U-100 syringe. And if so how? I'll wait for a response before purchasing them. Thank you.
 
Yes, you can use a syringe to withdraw the insulin from the pen.
Use a standard U-100 insulin syringe.
Remove any needle tip from the pen, if it cam with one.
Insert syringe and withdraw desired amount.
There is a sliding seal on the insulin resevoir that will move down the syringe as it empties; no need to inject air.
 
Thanks BJM. since I be dosing at the 1U level can I use the pen with it's needle to shoot?
 
Frosty said:
Thanks BJM. since I be dosing at the 1U level can I use the pen with it's needle to shoot?
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You do not want to purchase the needles that come with the pens, because they do not allow for small enough dose adjustments. You want syringes with half unit markings, because you'll be making adjustments in .25u increments. Cats should never have their dose adjusted in whole unit increments.
 
Thank you Julie & Bennett. I'm on my way to the pharmacy to get the pens. Thanks again.
 
Another problem with the needles that come with the pen is that they don't always measure consistently. Humans use much much larger doses than cats do so a little over or a little under a unit isn't a big deal for us, but for a cat it could make all the difference. :smile: But yes you can draw from them with a syringe!
 
Well I bought the box of Lantus SoloStar Pens. Cost was $221 drive out at WalMart thanks to the $25 coupon from the link provided to me by Julia & Bandit. I also found the 26 gauge lancets. The pharmacist said I could leave the open pen at room temperature but to keep the unopened ones in the refrigerator. Now all I need to do is build the spreadsheet.
 
Despite the pharmacy's instructions, you also want to refrigerate the opened pen as well, because it will make it last longer. At room temperature, the pen is only good for 28 days, but it can last much longer than that if you keep it in the fridge. People use much larger doses than cats and don't need the pen to last longer than a month, which is why the Pharmacy says you don't have to refrigerate it.

Please read this post for more information on how to handle your Lantus: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151

It costs a bit of money, so you definitely want to get as much life out of it as you can!
 
What size needles did you get--many of us use 31 gauge with 1/2 unit markings. I can put all the info if you need it. You may have to special order thesyringes with 1/2 units but def. need those...you may find that you do DOWN in dose too,my cat is on 1/4 unit.which is teeny.you could not figure that out with a 1unit markings needle.

I've used both the pens,vials and cartridges. I like the pens the best because they have the cover, so in theory are safer if you drop it. I've broken a vial before and then you don't have a backup.With both the pens and the cartridges you have backups since they are smaller portions, which is nice.
 
Martha & Fred I bought 30 gauge syringes with the 1/2 dose markings. I bought them at Walgreens. Thank you for the advise.
 
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