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Mugsy's doctor seems to be switching from Vetsulin to Levemir. Does it need refrigeration? How long can a vial be used? Lantus users warn not to get the vial because it will spoil. Does this happen with Levemir? For this kind of money I don't want to end up throwing it out. What else should we know?
 
srobertson398 said:
Mugsy's doctor seems to be switching from Vetsulin to Levemir. Does it need refrigeration? How long can a vial be used? Lantus users warn not to get the vial because it will spoil. Does this happen with Levemir? For this kind of money I don't want to end up throwing it out. What else should we know?
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It really depends on how high your dose is. For my cat we are on a little higher dose than most so we go through a vial a little faster. But it has lasted us about three and a half months or so almost to the last. But I do like the cartridges too. We go through one of those in about six weeks if I remember correctly. Right now we are using the vial but I have recently ordered some carts from Canada ($160 for five 3ml carts). The vial is just easier for me to get at our local pharmacy.

Yes, you should refrigerate.
 
Hi there!

We use the cartridges and for us, five 3ml cartridges last just over a year (2 months and 2 weeks approx. for each cart). I keep the 'open' cartridge as well as the sealed ones in the refrigerator wrapped around dark cloth to protect from light. I find that Lev is very forgiving and remains stable in instances such as blackouts where we've lost electricity for up to a week and a half.

Like Pamela, i order mine from Canada (http://www.canadadrugsonline.com) just because it's less expensive than i can get around here in New York. I paid $160 plus $10 for shipping just this month. I know that's a lot of money but considering how long it lasts, it's not too bad.

We've been using Lev for a year now and for Molly, it's been more effective than the PZI we were previously using for 3 years. I'm thrilled with it and hope you will be as well.

Keep the questions coming, best of luck to you and Mugsy :smile: -Michele and Molly
 
Yes, refrigerate the insulin.

Lantus countdown from first pierce of container is about 28 days, but many people use their container for longer. You will know when the container is toast because the BG numbers will tell you the story. Numbers going up, try another container of insulin. The numbers improve, then your container was toast.

Levemir is about 42 days.

Most people have quite low doses, so a vial of 10ml will most likely fizzle way before half of the vial is used. For that reason, people normally get the 5 pack of 3ml cartridges because even if you reach the 42day mark with one of the carts, you will have very little waste.

I just wish I could get vials of Levemir because I use one cartridge a week for my two cats - no waste in our house!

I think it's best to get the 5-pack because you open only 1 cart and the other 4 are safe in the frig and good till the expiry date on the box.
 
I use the carts of Lev until the very last drop...several months. Numbers remain stable throughout the entire time.

What is important for me is that I don't shoot any lev back into the vial once it is drawn and I use a fresh syringe for EACH shot, HOWEVER, several here shoot insulin back into cart and still use to the very last drop after several months, so...

Please let us know if there is anything else we can help with...glad to see you and good luck with whatever you decide!
 
Gayle and Shadoe said:
Yes, refrigerate the insulin.

Lantus countdown from first pierce of container is about 28 days, but many people use their container for longer. You will know when the container is toast because the BG numbers will tell you the story. Numbers going up, try another container of insulin. The numbers improve, then your container was toast.

Levemir is about 42 days.

Most people have quite low doses, so a vial of 10ml will most likely fizzle way before half of the vial is used. For that reason, people normally get the 5 pack of 3ml cartridges because even if you reach the 42day mark with one of the carts, you will have very little waste.
Click to expand...

42 days is the manufacturer's "recommendation" because human users are going to be keeping the cartridges or pens at room temperatures rather than refrigerated as we do. If kept refrigerated, ignore the 42 days expiration, it does not apply.

From 3 years personal experience using Levemir, keep the cartridges in their original box refrigerated at 40 degrees, in a vegetable bin or stable section of the frig, not in the door to prevent too much movement. I use 5 pens over 15 months, 1 every 3 months. $12/month for insulin is how my cost breaks out - we use 1.25U per dose, twice daily.

The vial may be a cheaper initial cost and might be cost effective for you if your cat is recently diagnosed. Levemir has a very good track record of remission for newly diagnosed cats. Whichever you decide, please make sure the vet specifies in the prescription which type, as you have to get it from the pharmacy/chemist.

Any other questions, please ask.
 
Hi, welcome.

I am glad your vet is dropping the vetsulin. With the potency problems they had in manufacturing, it has been a risky insulin for a while now. But aside from that, I know that lev works so much better than vetsulin. I used vetsulin for two years with Beau and when I switched to lev I got immediately better curves - less ups and down, lower numbers overall, etc. Both of my diabetics were/are on tiny doses: .5u or less and a cartridge lasts something like six months. I keep it in the fridge, but have occasionally left it out overnight by mistake.

One thing, if you don't already know, is never shake or roll levimer (or lantus). They are not suspensions like vetsulin is so do not need and mixing and are fragile so should be handled gently (which is why Vicky mentioned not keeping it in the door where it gets shaken every time you open the fridge).

Ask all the questions you want.
 
Thanks....you've all been a great help. Mugsy is grateful, too...his picture is included.
 

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Isn't Mugsy handsome. I just checked the prices at some online Canadian pharmacies, and CanadaDrugsOnline.com has 5x3ml Flexpens for $114.99 plus $10 shipping.

GlobalDrugsDirect.com has had the cartridges for $115 + $10/shipping, but I always have to call because I cannot see the Lev on my browser (for some strange reason).
 
Thanks foe all your help. We really appreciate it. By the way, have you Levemir users seen the FDA advisory about 129,000 stolen vials (lot #s XZF0036-37-38? Do be careful.
 
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