Bubbles

[lynbrown]

I have been on Novorapid for approx. 10 years. Before injecting, I always expel 2 before injecting my dosage. Yet even after expelling the small amount I can see bubbles inside the pen, in the clear solution. I thought these were air bubbles and dangerous. Are they?

 

[Knikki]

No, usually they will go up to the top of the cartridge when you tip the pen down to inject. Least thats what happens with mine.

And before someone comes along and says "ooo you should not to that you need to get rid off all the air because injecting will be harmful" I asked the same question to a surgeon who said "yes air can be dangerous and kill but it has to be around 500ml and injected into a vein"

 

[Jaylee]

No, usually they will go up to the top of the cartridge when you tip the pen down to inject. Least thats what happens with mine.

And before someone comes along and says "ooo you should not to that you need to get rid off all the air because injecting will be harmful" I asked the same question to a surgeon who said "yes air can be dangerous and kill but it has to be around 500ml and injected into a vein"

"Oooooh, you shouldn't say that... Blah blah.

But your right, the air bubbles do rise.. But my concern is the trapped air may act as a "cushion" delaying the bung giving a measured, dialed dose from the ram action pushing the assembly? Possibly not pushing enough insulin through?? Or like a bouncy castle springing out a little too much?

@lynbrown , what I do do is fit the needle, but not screw it down so the opposite end just sits under the rubber membrane on the cartridge? Then expel as much air as possible in an airshot, before screwing the needle fully to the pen. Then performing a second airshot before the actual injection...

But that's just me..

 

[Antje77]

Impossible to get the bubble out, as the needle goes past the end of the cartridge so the bubble will never be at the entrance of the needle. Which makes it impossible to inject the air. And besides, injected air is only a problem in a vein, not under the skin or in muscle. And as the bubble is always in the pen, the pressure stays the same for every injection.

 

[DCUKMod]

I have been on Novorapid for approx. 10 years. Before injecting, I always expel 2 before injecting my dosage. Yet even after expelling the small amount I can see bubbles inside the pen, in the clear solution. I thought these were air bubbles and dangerous. Are they?

I'm not T1, but my knowledge and training of drug administration suggests that for subcutaneous injecting, there is no issue. If you were going for a large vessel venous or arterial injection it could be different, but provided you're injecting in the usual tummy, thighs, bottom sorts of areas, I'd think you'd be fine.

If the query is really bothering you, then ask your care team.

 

[Knikki]

But your right, the air bubbles do rise.. But my concern is the trapped air may act as a "cushion" delaying the bung giving a measured, dialed dose from the ram action pushing the assembly? Possibly not pushing enough insulin through?? Or like a bouncy castle springing out a little too much?

Good point, must admit that had not crossed my mind.

 

[Jaylee]

Good point, must admit that had not crossed my mind.

Lol, it probably only makes a microscopic amount of difference in a pen, to be honest..

However, I see it a little like bleeding the hydraulic braking system on a vehicle?