I have a kitty on a extremely low dose of insulin, 1/2 a unit once a day. I am paying $100 for a 10ml bottle of Lantus and I'm wondering if someone wants to split the cost of one with me, I would receive it and then ship it overnight cold to you. I am throwing out entire bottles of Lantus because after 28 days they do not work as well. Any takers? I live in New York
Sharing some insulin
- Thread starter Madie
- Start date
tiffmaxee
Member Since 2013
Why are you throwing out insulin every 28 days? If you keep it stored in the fridge most of us get a minimum of 5 months and some longer. You can’t move it to another container. I used the pens and was able to use them to the last drop. Also you can buy insulin from Mark’s Marine in Canada for a lot cheaper. Your vet just needs to send them an RX. There are 5 pens in a box so they last a year or more.
Most cats need Lantus twice a day.
You might want to read this note on Insulin Care. The 28 days is just for humans who don't store the insulin in the fridge. I used a single pen up to 3 months, it was good to the last drop.
You might want to read this note on Insulin Care. The 28 days is just for humans who don't store the insulin in the fridge. I used a single pen up to 3 months, it was good to the last drop.
I've been using the same pen since the middle of August and it has been just as effective. I still have another 3 weeks or so left out of it. In fact, I got her pen refilled today at the pharmacy and the pharmacist even said a pen will last 6-8 weeks if kept in the fridge. He said what I already was told be the vet...that the pharmacists say you can't keep it longer than up to 2 months and the vets say you definitely can keep it for about 5 or so. The pharmacist also told me that the way you know if your insulin is no longer as effective/potent due to age is if you begin seeing your cat's BG numbers rise. Hey, just look at Olive's SS. I've been using this same pen all this time and her BG is without a doubt DOWN. Proof is in the pudding as they say. You definitely don't have to throw out your insulin after only 28 days.
Chris & China (GA)
Member Since 2013
Next time you need refills, you might want to order from Canada. That's what most of us are doing because Lantus is 1/3 to 1/2 the price. Not sure where you are in NY but if you're close enough to the border, you could run across, find a pharmacy and buy it yourself! Insulin is OTC in Canada! (of course you wouldn't be able to do that until they open the border again)
Here's information on buying Lantus from Canada. Mark's is fantastic and has saved a lot of sugarcat lives!
Your best bet is to buy the 5 pack of pens or cartridges. Each pen holds 300 units so you're able to use pretty much every drop before it goes bad and the other pens will be good until the expiration date on the box...usually at least 2 years.
We don't use the special pen needles or the "dial a dose" on the pens. You use regular insulin syringes and just pull the insulin out (so you're basically just making it into a "mini-vial")
1500 units is enough to last most cats at least 1 year and some up to 2 years!
The only reason they say 28 days is because when Sanofi submitted it to the FDA for testing, they only asked them to test it for 28 days....so legally, that's what everybody has to tell you! Big Pharma strikes again!
Here's information on buying Lantus from Canada. Mark's is fantastic and has saved a lot of sugarcat lives!
Your best bet is to buy the 5 pack of pens or cartridges. Each pen holds 300 units so you're able to use pretty much every drop before it goes bad and the other pens will be good until the expiration date on the box...usually at least 2 years.
We don't use the special pen needles or the "dial a dose" on the pens. You use regular insulin syringes and just pull the insulin out (so you're basically just making it into a "mini-vial")
1500 units is enough to last most cats at least 1 year and some up to 2 years!
The only reason they say 28 days is because when Sanofi submitted it to the FDA for testing, they only asked them to test it for 28 days....so legally, that's what everybody has to tell you! Big Pharma strikes again!
This is exactly the problem. I get about 45 days and then his number start going up. He's pretty steady around 94, and then boom we jump up to 200 plus. Right now we're at 280ish. This is the third bottle that this is happened with.
This is exactly what's happening. I get about 45 days of pretty steady numbers mid-to-high 90s, and then boom. Up in the 200s, High 200's. This is the third bottle this has happened with. And I keep it in the refrigerator at all times. I'm not sure why a pen would be different. I get a real good discount for the bottle, the 350 is discounted to about $100. I think the pens are much more expensive, aren't they?
tiffmaxee
Member Since 2013
I don’t think it’s the insulin. Had two vials before switching to pens because I had to throw half away after 5-6 months. Many here go longer. Are you storing it in the fridge where it’s not jostled around? No shaking or rolling?
I think your problem is not dosing twice a day. Better to try .25 every 12 hours.
I think your problem is not dosing twice a day. Better to try .25 every 12 hours.
I do store it in the door of the refrigerator. Any reasoning why it would not work if it were jostled? Curious about that. The reason we're doing once a day is because he gets such a small amount, and he was very steady in his numbers. His numbers seem to go up at the same time each time at around 45 days of using a new vial. I may have mis stated how much he gets. It's barely a drop of insulin. There's no way I could split that in half. I appreciate your Insight and your response
Not in COVID days! Only essential travel allowed, and you'd have to self isolate for 2 weeks on entry. For some reason, buying insulin is not considered essential.
Katherine&Ruby
Member Since 2020
Storing it in the door of the refrigerator subjects the insulin to wide temperature variations. It's recommended to keep the insulin in the back of the fridge where the temperature is more consistent.
Sue and Luci
Member Since 2017
Is there a Spreadsheet somewhere for us to see how long, what dose?
As far as tossing insulin after 28 days - as already mentioned, you can keep it in the fridge for a year. Luci has always been on relatively small doses...we had our first vial for about a year; the pens are also kept for at least a year, sometimes longer - as long as it's refrigerated it's still quite effective (If you look at Luci's SS, you'll see what I mean)...
As far as tossing insulin after 28 days - as already mentioned, you can keep it in the fridge for a year. Luci has always been on relatively small doses...we had our first vial for about a year; the pens are also kept for at least a year, sometimes longer - as long as it's refrigerated it's still quite effective (If you look at Luci's SS, you'll see what I mean)...
Chris & China (GA)
Member Since 2013
That's why I added "after they open the border again"....LOL I don't blame Canada for not wanting anything to do with us, especially now!