Perhaps getting new insulin from a nice friend. Is it legal?

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rbrumbaugh82

Hey everyone. I may be getting a couple Lantus Pens from a dear friend. Of course, should I consult with my Vet and I'm not really sure what they would say and of course getting prescription insulin without their approval they may say its illegal. I have never done this before so has anyone else gotten insulin from someone on here and had no problems? I just know many people on here have used Lantus and that has gotten their cats off insulin. I know I won't know the depth of Pooper's insulin problems until his mouth is taken care of after the 12th. So I don't know the extent of the effectiveness with the Bovine insulin but I know so far he hasn't done well being on it. Yesterday must of been a fluke because he hasn't gotten below 240 since then. So what do you guys think if you have had experience with sharing insulins. I know the friend said that the pens were purchased in December but if they haven't been used it they should still be effective right?
 
The insulin would be good. One suggestion is to ask for the vet for the Lantus prescription but wait to fill it until after you use the pens you get from your friend. A lot of it would depend on your relationship with your vet. For those of us that have cared for a diabetic cat for years, our vets probably would not have an issue with us trying a freebie first and then telling them we want a prescription for it. Most of us long timers have vets that know we know what we are doing and will do it anyway. ;)
 
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I think you are misunderstanding. I am getting the Pens already paid for from a friend from what he got from his vet. They are leftover 2 pens not used because he lost his cat and instead of throwing them away would like to give them to me.
 
No, I understood. I just had a typo in my response. I am not sure how your relationship is with your vet. My suggestion is to tell your vet you want to switch insulins to Lantus and ask for the prescription. However, instead of immediately filling it, use the pens from your friend. If they work, then fill the script. If not, then you saved some money.
 
I would just let the vet know that you have a been given some lantus from a friend (explain if he asks) and that you would like to try it to see if you can get better control of Pooper's glucose levels. If your vet is willing to prescribe lantus I can't imagine he would mind (though he might want to wait until after the dental). Even if you start lantus now, you may have to reduce it after the dental.
 
Yeah well I would def start at 2 units like was prescribed with Bovine. I may just start Lantus though after the dental work anyways since obviously no insulin will fix him until after that. I even wanted to see if the Bovine would do anything better after his mouth has been taken care of. I mean he was going to get rid of the Lantus anyways and since I wanted to go for Lantus I may as well just have it here if he wanted to get rid of it and have it to fall back on or even change since so many has had success with Lantus. The thing I don't understand is if I am getting the Lantus then why do I need to call my Vet to tell her that I need a prescription for Lantus if I already will have it? I'm confused. lol
 
The thing I don't understand is if I am getting the Lantus then why do I need to call my Vet to tell her that I need a prescription for Lantus if I already will have it? I'm confused. lol
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Because technically it is against the law for people to share prescription medicine with each other. If you get a prescription from your vet, then having the lantus would be "legal". I am sure people share insulin often here. I have sent unused PZI to others twice. So we can't really say " out loud" that doing it is OK. It's one of those things we just don't talk about.
You don't need the prescription to buy more Lantus. You need it so that possessing it is OK. To cover both you and your friend.
 
I would suggest starting at 1 unit and adjusting the dose accordingly. The insulin you are using and Lantus work in very different ways and it's best to start over from the beginning, as you essentially are doing that and start with 1 unit or even 1/2 unit. It's the start low, go slow approach.

You don't need to get a scrip from the vet. However, if you will need refills, you will need a scrip, so it's best to get the scrip now (usually they are good for a year) and this will accomplish several things:

1) it will ensure that your vet knows which insulin you are using
2) if you need refills, it will be easier to get as it's already in the system
3) if you get bad pens and need lantus, you already have the scrip
4) in case you have any concerns (as it appears you may), technically you are doing this legally - cause you have a scrip

I got lantus from someone and still had the vet write the scrip - this was just an insurance policy for me to have on hand in case I needed to fill it.
 
I would consider it absolutely necessary to ensure that my vet knew which insulin my cat was receiving. The vet needs to know of any and all other treatments a cat may be receiving in order to make accurate diagnoses and prescribe appropriate treatments and/or remedial actions should they be required.
 
Well obviously doing things legally is my motto. So if I get these Lantus Pens then do I need to take them to my Vet so they can turn it into a prescription for me so that it is legalized or what?
 
Hillary & Maui (GA) said:
I would suggest starting at 1 unit and adjusting the dose accordingly. The insulin you are using and Lantus work in very different ways and it's best to start over from the beginning, as you essentially are doing that and start with 1 unit or even 1/2 unit. It's the start low, go slow approach.

You don't need to get a scrip from the vet. However, if you will need refills, you will need a scrip, so it's best to get the scrip now (usually they are good for a year) and this will accomplish several things:

1) it will ensure that your vet knows which insulin you are using
2) if you need refills, it will be easier to get as it's already in the system
3) if you get bad pens and need lantus, you already have the scrip
4) in case you have any concerns (as it appears you may), technically you are doing this legally - cause you have a scrip

I got lantus from someone and still had the vet write the scrip - this was just an insurance policy for me to have on hand in case I needed to fill it.
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Makes sense and I will be sure to do that.
 
I would just tell your vet that you want to switch to Lantus, and ask them to write a prescription for the solostar pens. That is all they need to know. Find out if they are familiar with the insulin, of course.
 
It's not like there are Insulin Police out there stalking you to see if you are using insulin illegally. Nobody is going to know or really care if you are given it. It's the same thing if you borrow an AB or other drug from someone to use for yourself.

The fact is, this kind of thing is done all the time. Don't get hung up on legalities.

Rather, you want to make sure that the vet is informed and it's noted in the cat's medical records that you changed insulins. The reason as Critter Mom stated, The vet needs to know of any and all other treatments a cat may be receiving in order to make accurate diagnoses and prescribe appropriate treatments and/or remedial actions should they be required.

So, get the insulin from your friend, save yourself money and just make sure the vet knows and updates the records to show the new insulin.
 
Being on good terms with your VET is the right place to be. I agree, get the written prescription and keep it. Use the pens with which you were blessed. My VET was amazed with my ability to acquire the Lantus from another source. I am so bless to have received the pens from a friend. Good luck from Jane and Stewey
 
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