Question about Pens vs. vials for low dose .25

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Kitties Momma

Kitties Momma

Member Since 2011
Hello again, I found a pharmacy in my town that can get the glargine pens. Now I have a question, they said A. I need to use a special needle for the pens and B. That it would be impossible for me to draw such a low dose because of the pen and that I should continue to use vials.... what is your past experience? Julius is achieving good low numbers on .25u ( I am doing a curve today) and so I am hoping he will continue to do so. I am however a klutz and broke a vial last nite. I was hoping to use pens, but I do not want to give Julius too much insulin either.. and the pen needle I have never heard of and no one here mentioned it, I am presuming I can use my existing syringes?? any advice/ help would be great! Thank you!
 
i know you use your regular needles and all the pharmacies say that about needing special needles. people here use the same as with vials.

but i can't speak to the tiny dose question.
 
You wouldn't use the needles they are talking about. If you did use them, then yes, they're right, you can't do such small incremental dosing. Don't buy them. You will continue to use the U100 needles you have now and insert them into the tip of the pen, exactly as you do the vial. You can use whatever dosage you need. There are pictures here somewhere that show how the pen works, and I'm sure someone will post a link.
 
Thank you! Someone did post a pic of the pen for me this morning, I was thrown off when I went to the pharmacy so I thought I better do some research on here first! Thanks again!
 
Many of us here, use pens, as do I. We use regular needles/syringes for low doses.
I use u-100's, short needle 5/16, with half unit markings.
You need to get syringes with half unit markings to pull up small doses like that.

Someone will come here and make sure you buy the correct syringes.
 
Hi, others have answered.. I am dropping through to say the same..
You can use your syringes you have been using (u100), you can use a pen or vial for any dosing (micro or not) the dosing does not change based on what you draw it from. You do not need the needles they might try to give you at the pharmacy - you only need the pen, again use your u100 syringes. I really like the pens & hope you do too.

For an example that might make more since.. picture 1 teaspoon of milk, it does not matter if the milk comes from a plastic jug or a glass bottle.. getting a teaspoon does not change...a teaspoon is a teaspoon. In your case or any kitties case.. .25 is .25 regardless if you get it from a pen or a vial.
 
thanks again! if I wanted to get syringes how would they be marked? I have u100 3/10cc 29g 1/2 inch.
I would love ones clearly marked with 1/2 I have some from walgreens but they are hard to read, and I don't even wear glasses yet! any suggestions?? thanks! My vet called in the pens for me I am going to pick them up tomorrow!
 
Hi, the syringes you have now are fine, as long as they are u100. Use U-100 3/10cc syringes with half units marked on the barrel for fine dosing.
You will get many opinions on syringes, it is personal preference.. dependant upon budget, convienence & what works for you. A lot of people use Monoject which you can order from Hocks.com, some like BD (although a lot of people do not, I never had a problem with them), some people use the Relion from Walmart. Again, it will be personal preference.. I think most on the board right now like Monoject from what I read in condos.
 
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