What is the Best Insulin to Use?

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SandyandFelix

SandyandFelix

Member Since 2011
Our cat, Felix, recently went back on the schedule for testing and shooting. We have always used Lantus, however, I would like to know if there is a better option???? I've heard of a pen but I am not familiar with that.

Just to give a quick overview. Felix is not new to diabetes. He went OTJ a while back until we noticed signs that the diabetes was back. After testing him, we were sad because it had come back. Then in August 2012, our vet told us to stop testing and shooting because she thought he was doing well. Now here we are again two months later for the third time! This time, we will not stop until we know for sure that he is OTJ!

Any advice on insulin type would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Sandy and Felix

PS. not sure if pic is still attached. Will double check and upload again if necessary.
 
SandyandFelix said:
Our cat, Felix, recently went back on the schedule for testing and shooting. We have always used Lantus, however, I would like to know if there is a better option???? I've heard of a pen but I am not familiar with that.
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Lantus is a good insulin to use. It is available as a 10 ml bottle and as a 3ml insulin pen (called the SoloStar). Perhaps that is what you are thinking about.

Levemir is another good insulin. It too is available as a 10 ml bottle and as a 3 ml insulin pen (FlexPen).

Most Lantus and Levemir users here use the pen instead of the bottle. Instead of using pen needles like a Human diabetic would, members here use insulin syringes to draw the insulin out of the pen.

ProZinc is another insulin choice. It's only available in the bottle.
 
Hello Sandy,

You sound really frustrated. I'm sorry that you are having a difficult time..

I can't advise on insulin type. But I just wanted to say that, as I understand it, 'once diabetic, always diabetic' and periods of 'remission' may be either short or long (and sometimes - for those lucky ones - permanent). But there are, sadly, no guarantees.

My cat has been diabetic for nearly six years and I would dearly love to have had him 'OTJ' - even for a week - but it hasn't happened for us. We've just been unlucky. (Though I don't regret a single moment of the testing and insulin shots)

There are some smart and experienced people on this forum and I do hope you can find the advice that you need.

All good wishes to you,

Elizabeth
 
Hi Sandy,

My understanding is that both the pen and vial are exactly the same outside of their size. The pen is 3ml and the vial is 10ml. Since insulin can be sensitive, it would be less of a waste of insulin and money if you had to throw out the pen vs. a full vial due to contamination, dropping, shaking, forgetting to keep refrigerated, etc. It's a personal preference. I use a vial because I didn't know there were other options. Once the vial is gone or bad, I will switch to the pen where it is more cost effective to dump it if it gets messed up. I worry everytime I pick up my vial at whether I will drop it or not. I hold on to it like it's gold. :lol:
 
SandyandFelix said:
Is it a better choice to use the Pen with Lantus?
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Cost-wise it makes more sense to use the SoloStar pens instead of the 10 ml bottle. The bottle costs around $115 or so and you may need to buy it every month or so. The box of five pens costs $220 or so and lasts you at least 5 months. Cost per individual pen is less than a 10 ml bottle. Some people have been able to buy a single pen at the pharmacy but this seems to be done at the discretion of the pharmacist.

The bottle contains 1000 units of insulin which very few cats ever use up before the insulin loses effectiveness, which can be anywhere from a month to a few months tops. Most of the time you are throwing away a barely used bottle of insulin which is a huge waste. A pen contains 300 units of insulin and is good for at least a month. There's less insulin being thrown away when the insulin in the pen starts to lose effectiveness. I've heard of people using a pen to the last drop.

There's a coupon for $25 off a box of SoloStar pens posted in the Supply Closet.
 
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