Lynn and Kitten/ Need Lantus Pen Info

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Katlyn

Member Since 2012
Hello all... I need to replace Kitten's vial like today. It was opened on 12/9/12. It was $148 at Rite Aid with my AAA card. Kitten's vet at the hospital is calling me back today. She is giving me a hard time about giving me a pen script. She is an Internal Medicine specialist. I am waiting for her to call me later about a script, and I need to convince her to give me the pens. Is it the Solar Star pens, correct? I heard you can buy just one pen at Target. She told another vet that the pens are hard to use. Could someone go over the routine with me ,so I can hit her with the facts. To clarify, the pen is used like a vial. You do not use the pen needles because they do not dial up the small units for the sugarcats?. Insread the insulin needles are used the same way as the vial. Can you see clearly through the pen. I saw a picture and it looked dark blue. I am used to the vial where I can see the liquid, if it is cloudy or bubbles,etc. It look brand new though because I do not shoot back into the bottle.
Does anyone have a link on someone doing this? Will I be in for a shock using a pen? Please advise. Thankyou
 
why do you need to replace the vial?
Don't go by the date alone - Honey's was opened in October.

If its not cloudy or has crystals or her numbers don't seem to be going up, up, up - I'd keep using it.
As long as its been refridgerated, treated gently and looked after, it should be fine.
 
Some here do use the vial until it is empty others switch out more regularly. Insulin doesn't go bad all at one it just gradually loses it's potency.
Emphasize that you will still be using the same syringes and are just using the pen as a mini vial. You do NOT want to get the pen tips that are used for the auto-dosing w/ the pen. The Proper handling of Lantus …… sticky has pictures of how to use a syringe w/ a Lantus Solostar Pen and also a video. Print out the info and or bring your laptop along so she can watch the video, or e-mail her the link.

The only problem I have ever heard of anyone having is that when a pen is new it can be difficult to draw the first few doses due to the pressure in the pen. Please read all the information in the sticky about using the pens.
 
Hi Lynn. The pens come out cheaper than the vial. A box of 5 cost about $225 but they last a long time at least 5 months but should be longer. You can see the insulin just like the vial and you handle it the same. Although the instructions say not to refrigerate the open pen, you can. If you do, if properly handled, you can use just about all on the insulin.

Here is a link to a page that has video about 1/4 way down that shows you how to do it.

How to draw Lantus from a pen

Hope it helps. If you have any other questions please post them.

Good luck with the vet.
 
A lot of people that know about the pen (Dr's, pharms, vets, etc) know the human use. They never realize that when the cap is opened, there's the same rubber seal they are used to seeing on a regular vial. The pen needle uses it just like a syringe, the difference is the pressure inside. I've used both, pens are easier to handle to me....

HUGS!
 
You want the Solostar Pens. You will need to call around to see if Target or other pharmacies will sell a single pen -- not all will. Remember to call hospital outpatient pharmacies, as well. Also, prices vary from place to place so be a smart consumer.

There is a clear glass cylinder inside of the plastic (gray) pen casing that contains the insulin. The insulin is clear -- just like with the vial. There is no difference between the vial and the pen other than packaging and quantity. You use a syringe exactly the same way you would with the vials.

You do not inject air or excess insulin into the pen. The pens work on a negative pressure system. (That means that as you use the insulin, there's a black plug that moves down the pen to keep the insulin from sloshing around.) Because of the negative pressure, you don't want to put anything back into the pen.
 
There is a picture here of how to use the SoloStar pen with an insulin syringe: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151

How%20to%20use%20an%20%20insulin%20pen%20for%20cats2.jpg


The SoloStar pen can be used with insulin syringes. The Lantus prescribing info states:

16.3 Preparation and handling

Cartridge system/SoloStar: If OptiClik, the Insulin Delivery Device used with the LANTUS cartridge system, or SoloStar disposable insulin device, malfunctions, LANTUS may be drawn from the cartridge system or from SoloStar into a U-100 syringe and injected http://products.sanofi.us/lantus/lantus.html

The pen itself only doses in whole units which is fine for Human diabetics but not for cats who need half or even micro unit doses. That is why we use insulin syringes.

Call around for pricing or use this web site to get approximate cost for a box of SoloStar pens: https://www.goodrx.com/ Not all pharmacies will sell a single pen.

You can use a free prescription drug card to save some money on Lantus and any other (Human) medicine your cat may need. Here is one card: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=53397
 
Thanks everyone. I read all the replies yesterday and watched the video. Then I called around and did price checks against vials and pens. No pharmacies including Target Around here splits up the set. The vet would not give me the script. She could not comprehend that the pen needles are not used. She kept saying they are not as accurate. I had a better chance of meeting Santa Claus than getting that darn pen script. But, I had other issues with Kitten to go over so I let it go. I may have to change her doctors. This IM specialist does not seem to listen to me about MY cat, and she needs someone much more astute and less arrogant.
 
Katlyn said:
The vet would not give me the script. She could not comprehend that the pen needles are not used. She kept saying they are not as accurate.
Click to expand...

What doesn't the vet understand? confused_cat Insert insulin syringe needle into rubber stopper and draw out insulin, no different from an insulin bottle. If you can accurately measure insulin using a syringe with a bottle, how is a pen any different? Did you show her the Lantus prescribing info that states in the handling section that insulin syringes can be used to draw insulin out of a pen?
 
Lynn

I agree that unless Kittens numbers are really wonky or the vial has floaty particles in it, the vial should still be good. Ii used a vial for almost six months.

Do you have a regular vet other than the specialist? If so, ask her for the script. While none of the vets we've used have heard of using the pens, they thought it was a wonderful idea when I explained how it works. They were intrigued :-D

Is it possible to update Kittens SS?
 
Hi Marge. Unfortunately, Kitten's SS is up to date. She goes to hospital for a Fructosamine test on the 26th. I have been focusing on controlling Kitten's coughing and increasing her quality of life. Not being able to breathe is scary and life threatening. I am able to monitor her 24/7 for any signs of Hypo with my toolbox in place. Kitten is doing better last couple of days. It is taking alot of observation and med changes/ tweaking to control her coughs/ wheeze. I want to eliminate the fits which are horrible. Kitten will have a regular vet soon hopefully. I found out her old vet who is incompetent also works at the new place I was transitioning her too! So, I had her records transferred to another vet, and they are reviewing them. I requested they be reviewed first so the vet most experienced and comfortable with her medical problems will take her on.
 
By the way, my Lantus vial looks great. Clear with no floaties. I do not inject anything back in the vial. It is kept in back shelf of fridge in a condiment dish. is it ok to keep it in the box? It was opened on 12/9/12. I do plan on bringing her in print outs of the pen in the future. She needs to be educated.. Haha.
 
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