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Probably shouldn't do this, but still do

lizdeluz

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,306
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
There's a coloured band around the insulin vial indicating when to chuck it away. I often let my insulin pen go well beyond this point, mainly 'cos it seems like there's still plenty of insulin there for the amounts I'm now injecting. Any thoughts?
 
I use Novodisk insulins and I use the cartridge until it's empty or not enough for the next dose. The leaflet assumes you will do this.
 
I'm pretty sure the band is to provide those with a visual impairment an easy way to see when they are nearing the end of a cartridge.
 
Yes, I apologise for this thread. I hadn't had one too many, honest!
 
I always use my insulin to the very end.
I can't imagine thats a problem or my doctor or nurse would have told me otherwise
 
I always use my insulin to the very end.
I can't imagine thats a problem or my doctor or nurse would have told me otherwise
Click to expand...
If you want a quick bucK I'd suggest you go sue your doctor - they are clearly acting grossly negligent, just like they would be negligent if they told you to just keep chugging as much paracetamol as you want if your headache doesn't go away.

Just like it says on the leaflet, open insulin vials/pens are only to be used for one month. Obviously no one in their right mind will tell you that you should be ignoring the instructions that come with your insulin.
 
To be honest, i had no idea this even existed.. I see a ring around my pen refills but i thought that was just a design choice.. Its like 60 units left..

Maybe I am confused, can someone elaborate on this ring and on what brand/type of insulin ?
 
Ok, thats what my pen looks like..

I read the Novo Nordisk sight and it just says that coloured line is only there so you know what type of insulin is in the pen, it doesn't say anything about tossing it.

The manual for the pen actually says you can use the cartridge all the way until the cartridge is entirely empty, it even says once you get under 60 units you can check how many you have left buy turning out your dial until it stops, and that is how you tell.

So what am missing here? Did they tell you guys over there you have throw those vials out with ~50 units left ? or should that ring change colour after 30 days or something ? lol
 
There you go - it's a guide as to what insulin you have in the pen for when you use multiple pens. I never have.

I was told when we had the 1.5ml cartridges that it was a visual indicator for people who had sight problems by a nurse. Clearly rubbish now, but not something I ever considered the alternative for. Of course, Novo always used to include a coloured sticker in the packets that you could stick to your pen so you knew what insulin was in it. I'll have to check whether they still do it.
 
Awesome! I was getting a bit worried there haha

I just opened a packet of Novo rapid penfills and wasn't given any sticker. I think this ring took its place as the main indicator, as well as the threaded end, i believe that is colour matched to ring (and type of insulin)
 
Thing is, if you leave the needle on, you can't see the thread so that's why they have the band...
 
Levemir lasts up to 42 days once taken out of the fridge btw.

Ali
 
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