Lantus, Vials, Cartridges, Pens? *Resolved*

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Kurai & Daniel

Kurai & Daniel

Member Since 2011
I figured I'd post this here since ya'll are familiar with Lantus, if I'm in the wrong section and this needs to go in the general help, please accept my profuse apologies!

I'm having a terrible time of it simply getting my scrip filled. Walmart originally filled it for a 1000 unit vial, which they informed me would last a long time. Of course I looked it up, and it loses potency over time. I don't want to waste more than half a vial! I read I needed cartridges. So I requested them. Walmart told me no. Said I had to get a whole new scrip and wouldn't give me my old scrip back so I could get it filled elsewhere. So I went back to the vet, requested a new scrip and they gave me one. Now I've gone to a different pharmacy and they only carry the pens. Is this the same? He told me that with the pen cartridges I could only use the pen itself and not a syringe, and that there was no way to give half unit doses.

So I'm halfway to tearing out my hair and crying just trying to find the right stuff. Any help? Suggestions? Should I just get the pen? I'm feeling terribly confused and like people at the pharmacy just don't care if I waste my money, which technically I'm sure they don't. I don't know what to do.
 
Re: Lantus, Vials, Cartridges, Pens? Help!

Pens and cartridges are basically the same. The cartridges are being discontinued, they were used in a refillable pen.

Basically we use the pens like a mini-vial. The pharmacist has probably never run into this but it works very well. People use a disposable needle w/ the pens , that's the way they are meant to be used, but we do things differently and draw from the pen w/ a syringe because we use such small doses that the pen is inaccurate. So you are right, just don't let him insist that you buy the needles for the pens, get u100 syringes w/ half unit markings.
 
Re: Lantus, Vials, Cartridges, Pens? Help!

there's a link for pictures of using syringe w/ a pen, i'll try to find it.
 
Re: Lantus, Vials, Cartridges, Pens? Help!

I use the Solostar pens. I think the cartridges are being discontinued. I originally bought a large vial but was scared is was losing potency and threw out 75% of it. A huge money waster. I got a prescription for the Solostar pens, and they will last a minimum of 5 months. I'm about 40 days into my first pen, and it's still fine. You just get your U100 syringes(with half markers) and insert it into the tip of the pen. Don't buy the needles that attach to the pen, as dosing is only in full units, and inaccurate at these small doses.

Go to the Lantus website. They have a $25 off coupon for the pens. If you have AAA, you could save $25 more. Walmart was cheapest for me at $222($175 after discounts)

Good luck,

Jason
 
Re: Lantus, Vials, Cartridges, Pens? Help!

did you already get your pens? Check out Costco too, last time I paid $180.
 
Re: Lantus, Vials, Cartridges, Pens? Help!

Thank you so much Ann and Jason. That's what I was thinking but the one I went to just insisted that it wasn't possible. So I wasn't sure if maybe I was looking at the wrong thing. Wish me luck for my next pharmacy visit. I just feel like I'm going to need it. I'll probably go back to Walmart. For all the trouble they are supposed to be the lowest cost. And I'll get that coupon and use it too. Pity we don't have a costco nearby.

Again thank you thank you thank you!
 
Re: Lantus, Vials, Cartridges, Pens? Help!

Glad to help. :-D Are you going to stick around, peeps here have been through it all and this is the best source of FD info around. We'd love to have you join the family.

Edited to add: Print the pix and take it along!
 
Re: Lantus, Vials, Cartridges, Pens? Help!

Hi,

Nicole and Baby told me if you have your vet call the prescription in (our you take the prescription in) to a local hospital pharmacy, they will sometimes sell you just 1 pen. (usually the small pharmacies will only sell a box of 5, running upwards of $200.00). That's what we did, and the hospital pharmacy sold us the one pen for about $40.00 or $50.00. Hope that helps.
 
Re: Lantus, Vials, Cartridges, Pens? Help!

A SoloStar pen:

Lantus%20SoloSTAR%20pen_46237.gif


How%20to%20use%20an%20%20insulin%20pen%20for%20cats.jpg
 
Re: Lantus, Vials, Cartridges, Pens? Help!

Chances are you were dealing with a pharmacy technician vs. a pharmacist. (If it was the pharmacist, all I'll say is "oy"). They were probably trying to get you to spend money for the needles. They are correct in that if you use the needles that screw on to the pen, you can only accurately dispense in whole units. Using a syringe, allows you to draw off smaller amounts. I wonder what they think parents who have diabetic infants do?

In any event, the person you spoke with needs to be educated. On the other hand, a pharmacy can only dispense what's on the prescription. You did need to get a new Rx from your vet or your vet needed to call in a different order.
 
Re: Lantus, Vials, Cartridges, Pens? Help!

I went through the same thing with my pharmacy, and my vet. I had to show my vet's office how I was going to use the pens (by drawing from them with a syringe) before I could get the script for the pharmacy. I also had to educate the pharmacy. Once they understood how we do what we do it was OK. Did take some work on my part, but now they know. Good luck! The pens are so much more economical - way less waste.
 
Thank you all again, and yes I plan on sticking around Ann :3 I feel very welcome and very relieved to have ya'lls advice. I'm printing that picture out for reference if I run into a problem again. Got the insulin successfully today, just have to get the syringes. They kept only offering the 1 unit increment ones, where I'd prefer the half unit markings. I'm gonna try to get the reliOn ones since it's at Walmart. I'll print them a picture.

It probably was just a Tech at Walmart, but I think when I went to Publix and he was telling me I couldn't use the syringes it was an actual pharmacist. He was the only person there anyways. So glad I don't have to stress about not having the insulin anymore. Actual injections start tomorrow, I will probably have to get a few syringes from the vet.
 
I don't use the Relion syringes but several people here have mentioned that on occasion, they have to either ask for the pharmacy staff to look behind the counter for the syringes with 1/2 unit markings or they may need to order them from another Walmart. If you have trouble tracking them down, Hocks mails out supplies very quickly. (Relion is a Walmart brand so you can only find it there.)
 
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