To roll or not to roll?

[sapling]

I just read in the sticky not to shake or roll the Lantus vial. My vet told me to roll it, and even showed me how. She did tell me not to shake it.

Now I'm not sure which to do. How would rolling hurt it? Is Lantus really not meant to be mixed?

 

[Lynn and Angel]

It is correct that you do not roll a vial (or cartridge) of Lantus. The suspension is quite different from other insulins and you could cause molecular damage.

 

[Monique & Spooky]

Lantus does not need to be mixed, as you will notice it is a clear liquid and doesn't "separate" like some other types of insulin. I don't think a little gently rolling will cause any damage so your insulin should be fine, just don't keep doing it.

 

[Lisa and Do Lou (GA)]

Yes its not like other insulins you just need to check it to make sure its clear and nothing floating inside no rolling or inverting of the bottle
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151 Here is the link to proper handling and storage of lantus

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Lantus is NOT a suspension. A suspension is:
"In chemistry, a suspension is a heterogeneous fluid containing solid particles that are sufficiently large for sedimentation. Usually they must be larger than 1 micrometer.[1] The internal phase (solid) is dispersed throughout the external phase (fluid) through mechanical agitation, with the use of certain excipients or suspending agents. Unlike colloids, suspensions will eventually settle. An example of a suspension would be sand in water. The suspended particles are visible under a microscope and will settle over time if left undisturbed. This distinguishes a suspension from a colloid, in which the suspended particles are smaller and do not settle.[2] Colloids and suspensions are different from solutions, in which the dissolved substance (solute) does not exist as a solid, and solvent and solute are homogeneously mixed."

N insulin is a suspension:
"This vial contains Novolin® N commonly known as NPH, Human Insulin Isophane Suspension (recombinant DNA origin)."

Lantus is a solution (no particles);
"LANTUS (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) is a sterile solution of insulin glargine for use as a subcutaneous injection. Insulin glargine is a recombinant human insulin analog that is a long-acting (up to 24-hour duration of action), parenteral blood-glucose-lowering agent [See Clinical Pharmacology (12)]."

You can gently roll Lantus but it does not do any good since Lantus is a solution. Suspensions such as N and ProZinc must be gently rolled prior to drawing out the insulin in a syringe in order to ix the insulin.

It is correct that you do not roll a vial (or cartridge) of Lantus. The suspension is quite different from other insulins and you could cause molecular damage.

 

[sapling]

Thanks for all the responses - I will not continue to roll it. It worries me my vet told me to do this and that she doesn't know.

 

[Sarah and Buzz]

I also read not to store it on the door of the fridge because the constant opening and closing of the door can shake it. I had kept mine on the door for a month or so before I read this and my pen suffered no harm, just wanted to pass on the word. :smile:

 

[Delma and Frank]

Thanks for all the responses - I will not continue to roll it. It worries me my vet told me to do this and that she doesn't know.

It make you wonder what else they don't know.....

 

[Monique & Spooky]

I also read not to store it on the door of the fridge because the constant opening and closing of the door can shake it. I had kept mine on the door for a month or so before I read this and my pen suffered no harm, just wanted to pass on the word. :smile:

It's not so much the shaking on the door that is a potential problem but rather that the temperature in that location can be variable. Another thing to be careful of is storing it near or touching the back wall (or sides) of the fridge. Usually this is where the cooling elements are and can lead to the insulin getting frozen. Best place is on a shelf somewhat in the center of the fridge.

 

[Lydia--(Rosie & Basil) GA]

I have to put my 2 cents' worth in here. Make sure you know your fridge, because we tend to get freezing spots inside, especially toward the back, but the door is one of the most stable spots! I think it depends on the fridge style. Ours is top-freezer and the cold air is circulated downward from the freezer, so the spots near the outlets are coldest.