question about Lantus and handling

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Just wondering: the Lantus handling info on this site states that Lantus is fragile, and therefore you should not roll or shake it. But each time I draw out a dose I am turning the vial upside down. Isn't this just as much movement as with rolling? I am asking because I have a 10 ml vial and it should last for several months, unless the movement is somehow degrading it.
 
There is no harm done by inverting the vial or even rolling the Lantus. Lantus is a solution while rolling is used to mix insulins that are a suspension like ProZinc. Rolling serves no purpose for a solution insulin like Lantus.
You do not want to vigorously shake any insulin like one does with antibiotic suspensions like Clavamox.
 
"Rolling" refers to holding the vial between the palms and moving the hands back and forth to mix the insulin. This is less violent than shaking but more violent than inverting the bottle to draw insulin.

It's expected that you will be inverting the bottle to draw the insulin, so don't worry about it.

I assume you know about the pen option for the future?
 
HI Karen, the manufacturer of Lantus actually states that the insulin is good for 28 days after popping open the vial. Which is why many people buy the pens even though they are more expensive (you can only buy them 5 at a time) because the vials are smaller and less likely to last past the 28 days. Some users of Lantus note that the insulin (if handled well and in a stable spot in the refrig) will last three to four months. I used my last bottle of Lantus for three months before I noticed that Sitka's diabetes wasn't being as well controlled so I switched to a new bottle. I keep my Lantus in the box and in the covered area in the refrig used for butter. If you threw out the box from the pharmacy I have seen plastic cases for sale at the pharmacy specifically to keep the bottle stable.
 
Thanks for the replies. Funny - I called both Walgreens and Walmart pharmacies today and they said there is no other quantity of Lantus besides the 10 ml vial. I don't get it. Any suggestions short of ordering from Canada?
 
One more thing: somewhere in the forums on this site I saw mention of Lantus being good for 6 months or possibly more after the container is opened. The quantity in the 10 ml vial would be enough for about 6 months at the dose I'm currently using.
 
Call them back and ask if they carry Solostar pens...if they say yes then ask if they are filled with Lantus....They should be. They no longer make just the refill cartridges they are now all in pen form. If your Walmart employees are anythng like the ones I have to deal with here, it doesn't surprise me that they don't have a clue what they have back there for Lantus.

Since they are completely clueless here that the Relion syringes have 1/2 unit marks on them if they are the 3/10 cc ones, the last time I bought mine they insisted that they only had ones with full unit marks yet when I got them home, sure enough there were the 1/2u marks. So I'm pretty sure they do carry the Solostar pens of Lantus but they just may not have a clue that is what you are asking about.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Are the packages of 5 cartridges of Lantus and Levemir only sold in Canada?

I don't think i have seen pens sold here; I have always bought the 5packs of cartridges from pharmacies.
 
Gayle Shadoe & Oliver said:
Are the packages of 5 cartridges of Lantus and Levemir only sold in Canada?

I belive the Lantus OptiClik pen cartridges have been discountinued.

KarenAmelia said:
Thanks for the replies. Funny - I called both Walgreens and Walmart pharmacies today and they said there is no other quantity of Lantus besides the 10 ml vial. I don't get it. Any suggestions short of ordering from Canada?

The Lantus SoloStar pens are widely available in the US at all Human pharmacies. I'm surprised that the two places you called said that there is no other Lantus other than the 10 ml bottle. Do call them back and ask specifically for the Lantus SoloStar pens. Ask for a pharmacy manager if you get a clueless technician. If they still insist on the 10 ml bottle, call a different pharmacy. Is there a CVS in your area or a Rite Aid or Target?

KarenAmelia said:
One more thing: somewhere in the forums on this site I saw mention of Lantus being good for 6 months or possibly more after the container is opened. The quantity in the 10 ml vial would be enough for about 6 months at the dose I'm currently using.

Those cases are very reare. The 10 ml bottle of Lantus poops out after a month or two for most people. The only way to tell if a 10 ml bottle has pooped out is by higher than usual bgs from daily testing and you know that there is no other reason for the higher numbers (infection, stress, etc). Sometimes the bottle will look a little cloudy or have tiny things floating inside of it but it's usually still clear when it poops out.
 
squeem3 said:
Those cases are very reare. The 10 ml bottle of Lantus poops out after a month or two for most people. The only way to tell if a 10 ml bottle has pooped out is by higher than usual bgs from daily testing and you know that there is no other reason for the higher numbers (infection, stress, etc). Sometimes the bottle will look a little cloudy or have tiny things floating inside of it but it's usually still clear when it poops out.
this is what we used to think about the longevity of lantus. lantus is a lot less fragile and if handled properly, will last a lot longer than many think. more often than not, increased BG levels reflect a need for more insulin rather than the insulin being toast.

please read through the STICKY: LANTUS & LEVEMIR - INFO, PROPER HANDLING, & STORAGE for up-to-date information.

additionally:
if your insulin freezes, discard it. if it becomes cloudy, discolored, or if particles form in it (floaties/crystals), etc., discard it.
if the rubber stopped becomes cracked, discard it.
 
Jill & Alex said:
this is what we used to think about the longevity of lantus. lantus is a lot less fragile and if handled properly, will last a lot longer than many think. more often than not, increased BG levels reflect a need for more insulin rather than the insulin being toast.

Sorry, Jiil :oops: It's been nearly 3 years since I had a diabetic and 4 years since using Lantus before switching to Lev.
 
KarenAmelia said:
Thanks for the replies. Funny - I called both Walgreens and Walmart pharmacies today and they said there is no other quantity of Lantus besides the 10 ml vial. I don't get it. Any suggestions short of ordering from Canada?

I think you talked to people who misunderstand your question--did you ask specifically for the pens or asked for a smaller vial? All pharmacies should either have the pens in stock, or be able to order the pens for you. If you do end up getting them from a US pharmacy, here's a coupon for $25 off: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=36964
 
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