Question about syringes

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Allie & Cloud

Allie & Cloud

Member Since 2017
Hello every one, a quick summary so I can not waste any ones time with a TLDR. I use ultracare U-100 syringes to give him 0.25 units of insulin. His dosage isn't permanent as I've been get help from lovely people about his levels. But I was donated a full box of syringes byba kind woman who's own sugar kitty passed from old age. The syringes from this box is u-40.
My question is can I use these? If not I'd just find someone who needs them but if I can that'd be great.
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What type of insulin are you using? U100 and U40 syringes are not interchangeable. If you are using a U100 insulin you need U100 syringes, and U40 insulins require the use of U40 syringes.
 
trapnurse said:
I'm using Novolin N Human. Can I ask why the insulin affects the syringe that way?
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U40 syringes are constructed for U40 insulin that's less concentrated than a U100 insulin. You need separate U100 syringes for a U100 insulin. When you put the two types side by side, you'll see that the U40 syringe is thicker barreled and the marks are slightly further apart. That's because it takes a larger volume of U40 insulin to get the same number of units of insulin as a U100 insulin would contain. U100 insulin is 2.5 times more concentrated.

If you've been using U100 syringes from your vet to give Novolin that means it's a U100 insulin and you can't use the U40 syringes. If you did you'd be overdosing your kitty by a lot. :eek:
 
Kris & Teasel said:
U40 syringes are constructed for U40 insulin that's less concentrated than a U100 insulin. You need separate U100 syringes for a U100 insulin. When you put the two types side by side, you'll see that the U40 syringe is thicker barreled and the marks are slightly further apart. That's because it takes a larger volume of U40 insulin to get the same number of units of insulin as a U100 insulin would contain. U100 insulin is 2.5 times more concentrated.

If you've been using U100 syringes from your vet to give Novolin that means it's a U100 insulin and you can't use the U40 syringes. If you did you'd be overdosing your kitty by a lot. :eek:
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I assure you I did not use them I wanted advice first! I'll just have to find kitty mama who needs them! Thank you for the very informational answer!!
 
Jill & Alex (GA) said:
@Squalliesmom
@Kris & Teasel

Ladies, the conversion chart can be used to convert from U-40 to U-100 or U-100 to U-40 effortlessly. If I'm reading the chart correctly, O.25u on a U-100 syringe equals 0.1u on a U-40 syringe.

Given that I've never held a U-40 syringe, is it possible to measure 0.1u easily on a U-40 syringe?
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No, it isn't. Most U40s I've seen don't even have half unit marks. Even if they did, eyeballing 0.1 u wouldn't be that easy. The whole issue if using U100s to dose a U40 insulin is, as you know, to make it easier to measure out small doses and/or fractions of doses. As simple as it seems, the process is a minefield of potential mistakes arising from the misreading of syringe barrel marks.
 
Jill & Alex (GA) said:
@Squalliesmom
@Kris & Teasel

Ladies, the conversion chart can be used to convert from U-40 to U-100 or U-100 to U-40 effortlessly. If I'm reading the chart correctly, O.25u on a U-100 syringe equals 0.1u on a U-40 syringe.

Given that I've never held a U-40 syringe, is it possible to measure 0.1u easily on a U-40 syringe?
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Lol, no, it isn't! I am actually familiar with the conversion chart but figured it might be better not to complicate things just yet, lol.
 
Jill & Alex (GA) said:
That's good to know.
Also good to know the conversion chart can be used to convert from U-40 to U-100 or U-100 to U-40. :)
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Yes, it can work both ways. Problem is, you can end up eyeballing some difficult fractions on the U40 if you go from U100 to U40. I've seen enough examples of folks here and elsewhere struggling to read a simple scale that I wouldn't want to do anything to increase the likelihood of errors.
 
Squalliesmom said:
Lol, no, it isn't! I am actually familiar with the conversion chart but figured it might be better not to complicate things just yet, lol.
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That's what I figured!
I was simply addressing the fact that it is possible to use the conversion chart both ways... from U-40 to U-100 or U-100 to U-40 (contrary to what was stated earlier).
 
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