Never Roll Lantus? My vet said...

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Anne&Muffin (GA)

Anne&Muffin (GA)

Member Since 2010
I read the sticky on proper handling of Lantus and it says never roll it. That's how my vet told me to mix it - by slowly rolling it between my hands. Were they wrong? Am I ruining it?
 
My vet advised me to roll it and to inject air in before withdrawing the insulin, those are usual instructions for usual insulin but not for lantus or levemir, they just dont know that, their experience is with animal insulin not the newer human varieties.
Dropping or shaking ect is bad for lantus, I would assume that includes rolling so I didnt do it nor did I add air to the vial, now I am using cartridges its even more important to not add air.
 
Lantus is not a suspension and doesn't need to be mixed. It shouldn't be rolled or shaken. It's also a fairly fragile insulin. Mishandling it will cause it to break down. Treat it like nitroglycerin and you'll be fine! (Just kidding!!)
 
That's right: never roll it; never shake it; never inject air into the vial or cartridge. Treat it gently. Lantus doesn't like to be shook up!!

Ella & Stu
 
My vet told me the same thing and the nice people here set me straight. Funny - after I stopped injecting air and rolling the vial, I had fewer problems with air bubbles in the syringe as well... Coincidence??? No need to mix it at all - just take it out of the fridge and draw into the syringe. BTW, try not to squirt any insulin back into the vial once you've drawn into the syringe - I squirt excess onto some tissue in the sink. There is apparently something in the syringe that can affect the insulin - make it not last as long.
 
When I started I dropped a brand new cartridge. I was ready to shoot myself, but I was told while it is best not to roll or shake it, it isn't the end of the world. Just be doubly sure to check for floaties and watch the numbers for signs of ineffectiveness.

Was it you that mentioned in another post that your cat was still eating dry? That is a much more likely culprit for high numbers, but set your vet straight on the proper handling for Lantus so he doesn't mis-advised others.
 
Also I heard that it hurts to give it when it is cold I use the viles and it is good out of the fridge for the month I am on my 2st vile and don`t keep it is fridge only the ones that are not open those I keep in fridge Once they are in use I don`t. I am not sure about this but that is what I understand....so that is what I have been doing LOl Kath :oops: ;-) :mrgreen:
 
Kath, if you keep it in the 'fridge it will last longer. The thing about it "hurting" when it is cold is meant for human users, who typically inject large doses. In the small amounts that we shoot (unless you have a very high-dose kitty), the possibility that "cold" insulin could hurt is remote.

Ella
 
keep it in the fridge. it lasts longer. essentially we try to keep the lantus at an even temperature. human diabetics tend to carry it around with them so it goes from hot to cold and may not last as long (tho their doses are usually larger so they use it up faster anyway).

no need to mix or roll.

no need to worry too much. lantus is not as fragile as people might think. either due to harry my scooper kitty or my klutziness i've dropped it plenty of times with no problem. i've also injected extra insulin back into the cartridge before i learned we weren't supposed to. none of this affected the lifespan of my lantus. it generally lasts 9-10 weeks for cleo and would last longer if we didn't use it to the last drop by then.

when my lantus has gone bad it's been donated lantus from a local guy, and a couple boxes from costco and walgreen (both local). i have NO idea how that happened beyond wondering if they had transit issues. i get mine from canada now and have not had a bad cartridge since. it comes well packaged in a large styrofoam box.
 
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