Lantus v Toujeo pen

[Tina Shetina]

Hi I have a diabetic Maine Coon who has been getting Lantus 7 units twice a day for about the last 3 years. I would like some help determining what the correct dosage of the Toujeo pen lantus would be for him. I have been able to obtain samples from MY doctor and this would spare me from having to pay the $200 plus for the Lantus vial. I have called several University small and they were not able to help without an appointment. Any direction would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

We have yet to have a caregiver successfully regulate their cat with Toujeo insulin. It's a new insulin and I've only seen a couple of instances of caregivers giving Toujeo, and one was by accident. I don't think we have anyone here who can help you on dosing if you switch. If you do find out that information, I'd love to see it. Typically we change doses by very small amounts with cats, and I don't think you can do that with the Toujeo pen.

An alternative for you might be to find a cheaper source of Lantus. Many members buy their Lantus in Canada. This post tells you how.

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

You would use the pen like a mini vial. You take the cartridge out of the pen and draw the insulin from that. At least that's my understanding with that, anyone chime in if I'm wrong about that.

No. Toujeo is a U-300 insulin. As far as I know they don't make U-300 syringes. If you use a U-100 syringe like we use with Lantus to draw Toujeo, you'd be administering 3 times the amount of the dose.



Edited to add:
To preserve continuity, here's the entire post Lisa and Smokey has since deleted from this thread:

You would use the pen like a mini vial. You take the cartridge out of the pen and draw the insulin from that. At least that's my understanding with that, anyone chime in if I'm wrong about that.
You cld also post this in the Lantus forum as there are many people on here that use that insulin for their cats.
I've heard on here before about purchasing Lantus from Marks Marine Pharmacy based out of Canada. It is about half the price that it is in the US.

 

[Tina Shetina]

Thanks so much, I have gained a greater understanding from your answers than I have from any other vet!