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Novarapid and Lantus question

C

CassieSmith

Member
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15
Hi, newbie here!

I was diagnosed with Type 1 end of January and was given 5 Novorapid Flexpens and 5 Lamtus Solarstar pens. I read somewhere on here these can't be refilled but I just picked up my new prescription and have been given cartridges instead of pre filled pens again. Will this be okay? I am going on holiday Saturday and panicking I have managed to change the cartridge in the Novorapid flexpen but it's a bit tempermental
 
Hello, welcome!

Cartridges are okay if you have the novopens to put novorapid cartridges in and another brand pen for lantus. You are correct in saying you can't fill prefilled pens, you can ask your GP or your diabetes team tomorrow for spare pens for insulin cartridges and I can assure you it is very easy to change cartridges
 

Hi @CassieSmith ,

welcome to the forum.

You would need a reusable version on the Novopen for the rapid, & a Sanofi Allstar pro reusable for the Lantus.

You need to speak to your GP. Possibly your pharmacist at your local could contact the surgery & sort this error out?
But you do need to review this with your GP.

Edit; there you go. The Allstar pro. https://www.dca-design.com/latest/sanofi-launches-allstar®-pro-reusable-pen-injector

& unless something else has been released lately from Novo nordisk? https://www.novonordisk.com/patients/diabetes-care/pens--needles-and-injection-support/NovoPen5.html
 
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CassieSmith said:
@MeiChanski what brand of pens shall I ask for? I can't understand why they would give me those pens originally but give me cartridges as repeat prescription :/
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The brand of insulin cartridges to the brand of insulin pens, for example novorapid goes with novopens and lantus goes with all star pro pens
 
Your pharmacy seems to have made a mistake. It shouldn't be possible to use a cartridge in a flexpen. Call them to provide you either with a refillable pen or more flexpens. Good luck!
 
@CassieSmith ,

Like you. I use Lantus & Novorapid & have reusable pens on my prescription.

CassieSmith said:
I have managed to change the cartridge in the Novorapid flexpen but it's a bit tempermental
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I'm pretty hands on with stuff but even I wouldn't mess with a sealed unit, thus potentially causing dosage issues?

However, You can check the pen is working by firing (after an airshot.) 20units into the needle cap.
The amount should come up to the line highlited in the picture below.

 
@Jaylee I changed it yesterday dinner time and it worked fine until this evening and started acting weird again with no insulin coming out.. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. I'm just hoping I can get the new pens tomorrow!!
 
CassieSmith said:
@Antje77 would it be better to go to GP or will a visit to the pharmacy be alright you think? And thanks!
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It's what you're comfortable with, I've been on reusable pens for a long time and I was given prefilled pens from time and time and I have no issues with using both or either one. However if you're comfortable with prefilled pens, as @Antje77 said, go to the pharmacy to see if you can change it and also check your prescriptions to see if your GP is putting you down for cartridges or prefilled pens. in the mean time, also ask your gp or diabetes team for reusable pens as spares in case you can't change for prefilled pens before your holiday.
 
CassieSmith said:
@Jaylee @MeiChanski thanks guys for your help much appreciated! I will go to GP first thing tomorrow morning.. hopefully I can get both pens tomorrow aswell fingers crossed!
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Depends on how professional your pharmacy is, mine would deal with the surgery with any script discrepancies..
Certainly give your's a call.
 
CassieSmith said:
@Jaylee I changed it yesterday dinner time and it worked fine until this evening and started acting weird again with no insulin coming out.. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. I'm just hoping I can get the new pens tomorrow!!
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Just seen this. (Cross posting.) you should receive from the chemist exactly what your GP prescribed. (Which includes the means of administering your medications.) In this case you clearly have not.
 
I would go to the GP or your diabetes nurse if you want refillable pens.
Refillable pens aren’t free so a pharmacist will need a prescription.

In my experience, refillable pens are not something pharmacies have in stock. However, my diabetes nurse seems to have a cupboard of diabetes goodies like new pens.

If you are happy to go down the refillable pen route (it is what I have always had because I hate wasting more plastic than necessary), request a main pen for each type of insulin and a spare pen. Pens are usually reliable but they do wear out so you need a back up.
When you go away, take twice as much of everything including your spare insulin pen. Things always seem to break at the least convenient time.
 
Hi Cassie,
Hope you get things sorted and have a lovely holiday.
Take care
 
I've always used refillable pens. I usually have a few disposable syringes on hand as an emergency backup, as my pens seem to wear out after a year. (Worse case scenario, you could get the pharmacy to give you syringes.)

Things to remember about refillable pens
1) There are two (slightly different) brands produced by the two main insulin manufacturers, and though you can use the same pen needles for both, the cartridges don't fit properly if you attempt to put them in the wrong pen (though I've managed to do it, much to my diabetic nurse's displeasure).
2) I'm in NZ at the moment and the pharmacies here will just hand out a new pen without a prescription - they get loads of freebies from the manufacturers. When I lived in the UK (last century) I used to get my pens from my diabetic clinic .
3) Don't forget to get the needles
4) Make sure your pens are different colours. You don't want to accidentally mix up the pens and inject the wrong insulin. (I've had some spectacular night time hypos through injecting bolus instead of basal at bed time.

Personally, I'd give the pharmacy a ring and explain your situation. There's a possibility they can just give you the pens (you don't need a script for syringes so I don't see why you need them for pens, it's just a question of whether they charge you for it.)

Good luck and enjoy your holiday.
 
EllieM said:
you don't need a script for syringes so I don't see why you need them for pens, it's just a question of whether they charge you for it.)
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In the UK, I need a script for syringes and needed a script for replacement refillable pen.
 

In my experince with my local. The Sanofi pens can be an extra wait on the order.
But I agree on the spare pen "plan B." I got more than one plan B.

Goes,without saying when traveling take extra.

@CassieSmith , if you happen to be flying. Keep yer insulin with you in the hand luggage. Never put it in the hold.

Have a nice break.
 
helensaramay said:
In the UK, I need a script for syringes and needed a script for replacement refillable pen.
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Are you sure your pharmacy isn't just being difficult?. I don't remember ever needing a script for syringes (but I'm 20 years out of date) and they're amazingly cheap to buy online in the UK (12 pounds for 100!), so I'm guessing they'll be cheap at a pharmacy. My diabetic clinics always handed out pens as though they were lollies so I never needed to ask a pharmacy for one till I got to NZ. (And I swear the NZ pens are less durable, sigh.)
 
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