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How do I dispose of a used Lantus pen

B

brianb

Well-Known Member
Messages
151
Location
Hebburn, Tyne and Wear
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Only been on Lantus since 12th September so still very new to this.

My question is How do I dispose of a used Lantus pen? The one I am using at the moment actually expires today anyway as the pharmacy gave me a mixed batch.

Its too big to put in the sharps bin I was issued, Are these ok\safe to throw in the general rubbish bin.

Also I've read some confliction information about how long to keep an opened pen, Some sources say no longer than 28 days regardless if its empty. Is this correct?

Thanks for any feedback
Brian
 
If you have unscrewed the needle (it is advised to change the needle every dose), there is nothing sharp on the pen so no need to put it in the sharps bin. It can go in the landfill waste.

Many people recommend the reusable pens. They are more robust than the single use ones, the cartridges take up less space in your fridge and they are less waste so better for the environment. You can ask your DSN for the pens and to change your prescription to cartridges.

It is usual for insulin to last about a month out if the fridge. As you keep pens/cartridges in the fridge until you start using, few people reach the month best by day and still have insulin left in the pen/cartridge as that would be less than 10 units a day.

When traveling and carrying a spare, I may have had my insulin out for slightly longer than usual. As long as it does not get hot, it has not been a problem but I would not recommend taking the risk if you can avoid it.
 
Many Thanks for the Reply's, I just wasn't sure about throwing medication in the normal waste, Been changing needles each timey so none fitted when i threw it in the bin.

Never occurred to me I had to use it all in a month once started. Only on 10 Units a day for now but been told it will probably need increased in 3 months. I will certainly ask about the reusable pens as I hate this throw away society we now live in.

Thanks again
 
I'm not 100% sure what the best course of action would be, but if I were putting a disposable pen in the bin, I'd empty the insulin first. I'd just use the final needle to squirt the remaining insulin into the bin.

At least then it's not usable to someone who could get a needle or a syringe and do something stupid with the remaining insulin.
 
Thanks Finnlee, That's what I did in the end just to make sure.
 
I squirt out the remaining insulin in all pens and put them in the recycling bin. They are all plastic after all.
 
Yes it is .I can put my sons pen into sharp bin lf u have a big one there do go in
 
I have been on Lantus for a few years now and I put the empty pens in my yellow clinical waste bin. as I want to keep plastic out of the general waste as much as possible.
 
Glucobabu said:
I squirt out the remaining insulin in all pens and put them in the recycling bin. They are all plastic after all.
Click to expand...
Not a good idea, they might be plastic but unless they're labelled as recyclable or the instructions say they are, then you should put them in the general rubbish or sharps/clinical waste container. Putting non recyclable plastics in with your recycling contaminates it and only makes it more difficult and costly to process as it has to be removed either by hand or mechanically. If you're not sure, put in your general rubbish.
 
Some good feedback, Thanks everyone

The Yellow waste bin they gave me is small one Maybe 1L I had to alter the opening just to get pen needles to fit so no chance I can get pen in lol. Only had to throw away 1 pen so far that had hit its expirey date, I just empyed it and put in general rubbish as suggested. My second pens now almost empty so will do same again.

Love this Forum so much useful info.
 
The other alternative is to get reusable pens.
These are more robust, the cartridges take up less space in your fridge and better for the environment
 
I've been told any insulin will last up to 30 days out of a fridge, I sourced this info during Covid, and updated it during Cyclone Gabriel where we were without power for 11 days. I've tried to find info regarding recycling the disposable pens, as it seems on hell of a waste! the Hospitals recycle everything plastic, but it seems we out here in the public arena have different rules and we are required to put them in the local waste collection.
 
Hi @solutionssimple@Diabetic and welcome to the forums.

I'm in New Zealand and also use humalog and lantus, but in reusable pens. I dispose of the needles in a sharps bin supplied by my local pharmacy and give it to them when it's full. The pens themselves are pretty durable and seem to last multiple years before they wear out. Is this an option for you?
 
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