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Echo

  • Thread starter Thread starter mammamia2006
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mammamia2006

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I have used disposable pens for novorapid and lantus for 9yrs now, before that I was using the refillable pens.

Decided to go back to the refill pens and just wondeed, can you use an echo for Lantus or is it only suitable for novo products?

I have ordered one from dr and have also ordered clikstar so if echo is no use, I will use the other one.

Any help appreciated :)
 
As far as I'm aware the lantus cartridges won't fit into the Novopen Echo, sure levemir does and also Tresiba insulin.
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I swapped to Levemir just so I could use the Echo, I then started having an allergic reaction to the Levemir and had to go back to Lantus.
I was so annoyed with the useless Sanofi pens that I developed a method to use Lantus in the Echo!
The main problem is that a lantus cartridge is slightly fatter and shorter than a novo cartridge.
For the width, I put 2 lengthwise cuts through the sticker and peel half the sticker off (leaving the Lantus name)
For the length, you need a 2mm ring the same diameter as the cartridge, I found a tent pole sleeve cut to 2mm works well. Make sure this is the right size or it may interfere with the pens plunger if incorrect.
Then, click off the plastic cap from any novo cartridge and put it on your lantus cartridge.
Put the Lantus cartridge in the holder, ring on top of the cartridge and assemble as usual.

This method has 2 drawbacks :-
- due to the difference in cartridge width, you are giving 6% more Lantus than novo, this needs to be taken into account when swapping to/from this method. ie 9.5u from the Echo = 10u from a sanofi pen.
- auto stop at the end of the cartridge does not work, make sure you check for this before each use and I would make sure that the plunger is never pushed into the end of the cartridge as this may damage the pen.

I've been using this method for a few of months now without issue.
 
zjed said:
I swapped to Levemir just so I could use the Echo, I then started having an allergic reaction to the Levemir and had to go back to Lantus.
I was so annoyed with the useless Sanofi pens that I developed a method to use Lantus in the Echo!
The main problem is that a lantus cartridge is slightly fatter and shorter than a novo cartridge.
For the width, I put 2 lengthwise cuts through the sticker and peel half the sticker off (leaving the Lantus name)
For the length, you need a 2mm ring the same diameter as the cartridge, I found a tent pole sleeve cut to 2mm works well. Make sure this is the right size or it may interfere with the pens plunger if incorrect.
Then, click off the plastic cap from any novo cartridge and put it on your lantus cartridge.
Put the Lantus cartridge in the holder, ring on top of the cartridge and assemble as usual.

This method has 2 drawbacks :-
- due to the difference in cartridge width, you are giving 6% more Lantus than novo, this needs to be taken into account when swapping to/from this method. ie 9.5u from the Echo = 10u from a sanofi pen.
- auto stop at the end of the cartridge does not work, make sure you check for this before each use and I would make sure that the plunger is never pushed into the end of the cartridge as this may damage the pen.

I've been using this method for a few of months now without issue.
Click to expand...

Jesus thats far too confusing for me lol.
 
No you can't use echo for lantus... Just had to swop pens today because og foing from lantus to levemir!! The opposite swop over but they definitely aren't compatible.
 
mammamia2006 said:
I have used disposable pens for novorapid and lantus for 9yrs now, before that I was using the refillable pens.

Decided to go back to the refill pens and just wondeed, can you use an echo for Lantus or is it only suitable for novo products?

I have ordered one from dr and have also ordered clikstar so if echo is no use, I will use the other one.

Any help appreciated :)
Click to expand...

the Lantus cartridges tend to have no thread for the needle to screw on to but the Clik-Star pen assembly does.. Hence Lantus wont fit a Novo pen.
You will see what i mean when you get your Clik-Star to compare with the Echo..

The Clikie is a good reliable pen for basal use. But i wouldn't want to every day it out & about bolus style..
 
Thanks. Glad I ordered both pens lol. Could have been extremely confusing lol.

How exactly does the Echo work with the memory & all that?
 
@mammamia2006 Sorry for the confusion, I was just trying to show that you can get all the advantages of an Echo with Lantus, you just have to jump through a few hoops. You will see the advantages of the Echo over the Clikstar once you get your new pens.
It would be a lot easier if Sanofi made a decent, full featured pen like the Echo

mammamia2006 said:
How exactly does the Echo work with the memory & all that?
Click to expand...

At any time, you can click the Echo dial knob out and back in to see the last dose and how many hours ago that dose was taken (up to 12 hours).
I find this extremely useful when, a few hours after dinner, I can't remember if I had my shot. I also like the 1/2 unit increments.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
mammamia2006 said:
Thanks. Glad I ordered both pens lol. Could have been extremely confusing lol.

How exactly does the Echo work with the memory & all that?
Click to expand...

One thing for sure. You couldn't mix the two pens & the contents up.! ;)
I don't use the Novo pen Echo version myself. My memory is reasonably good. I "app log" BSs,carbs & dose as I go in my routine. So easy screen reference with a device works for me!
 
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