Levemir flexipen

[Suzysheppard]

Hello!
Recently diagnosed suspected LADA. Nurse at hospital gave me a Levemir flexipen and sent me on my way - my gp wrote script for cartridges, so far all good! But I can’t seem to change the cartridge - it doesn’t look as if the old one comes out - is it just me !? TIA

 

[Jaylee]

Hello!
Recently diagnosed suspected LADA. Nurse at hospital gave me a Levemir flexipen and sent me on my way - my gp wrote script for cartridges, so far all good! But I can’t seem to change the cartridge - it doesn’t look as if the old one comes out - is it just me !? TIA

Hi,

It's my belief These pens are disposable.
They can't be refilled...

It's not you. It's your GP. You will need a reusable pen. Make sure you have a spare pen too..

& a warm welcome to the forum.

 

[Zhnyaka]

your levemir look like this

or like this?



if as the first option, then these are disposable syringe pens, if as the second option, then you need to remove the needle, twist the syringe pen in the middle until one part separates from the other, change the cartridge, screw in the piston and reconnect the parts of the syringe pen

 

[Deleted member 527103]

There are two ways forward.
- request single use (flexipens) and waste the insulin cartridges you have been given
- request a NovoPen (reusable) and use the cartridges you have and going forward.

I prefer the reusable pen approach. They are more robust, the cartridges take up less space in your fridge, they usually come with a basic memory of your last insulin dose, they are available for half units if you ask and they produce less waste.

I would recommend requesting two pens. Pen failure is rare but it happens so you need a back up.

 

[Suzysheppard]

Hi,

It's my belief These pens are disposable.
They can't be refilled...

It's not you. It's your GP. You will need a reusable pen. Make sure you have a spare pen too..

& a warm welcome to the forum.

Thank you Jaylee
Glad it’s not just me, looks like I will have to go the the Emergency Centre at the local hospital for a new pen today - fingers crossed this is allowable - have to leave home at dawn to get to work!
And thank you for the lovely welcome

 

[Suzysheppard]

your levemir look like this
View attachment 63082
or like this?

View attachment 63083

if as the first option, then these are disposable syringe pens, if as the second option, then you need to remove the needle, twist the syringe pen in the middle until one part separates from the other, change the cartridge, screw in the piston and reconnect the parts of the syringe pen

Thank you Zhnyaka
I have the top one - I have tried to unscrew it but it’s not happening - I think it’s the disposable type! It didn’t come in a box as the emergency diabetic nurse at the hospital just gave me the pen and said that my gp would be able to give me more insulin.
Thanks for the information - very helpful

 

[Suzysheppard]

There are two ways forward.
- request single use (flexipens) and waste the insulin cartridges you have been given
- request a NovoPen (reusable) and use the cartridges you have and going forward.

I prefer the reusable pen approach. They are more robust, the cartridges take up less space in your fridge, they usually come with a basic memory of your last insulin dose, they are available for half units if you ask and they produce less waste.

I would recommend requesting two pens. Pen failure is rare but it happens so you need a back up.

Thank you
advice much appreciated - especially the spare pen.

 

[EllieM]

Just a possible emergency measure if you can't get to the hospital.straight away.

It isn't ideal but you can get disposable syringes from a chemist and then use them to draw up insulin from a cartridge. I know this from experience because a year ago I was visiting the UK and lost my insulin pen, though I had plenty of spare cartridges. As I'm not resident in the UK I couldn't easily get a new pen but I was easily able to buy syringes from the local pharmacy.... (I always have a few spare syringes with me just in case, so I just needed to buy a few more to ensure that I didn't run out). But I agree that it's probably best to have a spare pen.

 

[Daibell]

It's may be worth saying that if your surgery is difficult to deal with currently, you can buy the replaceable cartridge pens on the web (Amazon etc) e.g Novopen 6 and Novopen Echo Plus.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi @Suzysheppard ,

How did you get on?

A thought has occurred to me regarding your prescription list.? (Which should contain needles, test straps, & even sensors?)

You could check your online order list with your surgery to see if the Novo pen had actually been added?? (But omitted when the GP issued the hard copy.)

 

[Suzysheppard]

Hi @Suzysheppard ,

How did you get on?

A thought has occurred to me regarding your prescription list.? (Which should contain needles, test straps, & even sensors?)

You could check your online order list with your surgery to see if the Novo pen had actually been added?? (But omitted when the GP issued the hard copy.)

Hey
Sorry for the tardy reply - and thank you for checking in with me. 111 sorted me out an emergency script and after a drive halfway across the county I picked up some more pens (box of five disposables) hurrah! I have messaged my gp and requested a novo pen for my cartridges and am seeing DN on Thursday. So all positive here - still waiting on endocrine appointment but at least I’m feeling much better than I did before I was taking insulin!

Will get around to introducing myself, but as I’m not sure which type I am, I’m not sure what to say! Perhaps just that

 

[Suzysheppard]

It's may be worth saying that if your surgery is difficult to deal with currently, you can buy the replaceable cartridge pens on the web (Amazon etc) e.g Novopen 6 and Novopen Echo Plus.

Thank you Daibell
I will have a nosey on Amazon now - my gp and team are usually great though

 

[Jaylee]

Hey
Sorry for the tardy reply - and thank you for checking in with me. 111 sorted me out an emergency script and after a drive halfway across the county I picked up some more pens (box of five disposables) hurrah! I have messaged my gp and requested a novo pen for my cartridges and am seeing DN on Thursday. So all positive here - still waiting on endocrine appointment but at least I’m feeling much better than I did before I was taking insulin!

Will get around to introducing myself, but as I’m not sure which type I am, I’m not sure what to say! Perhaps just that

Hey, no worries.

So long as you have the right tools for the job, regarding your condition...