Can people buy Insulin over the counter?

Rob43 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 04:40 AM

Hi, Someone told my that a person can buy insulin over the counter without a doctors prescription. Is this true or false?

Thanks, Rob43

michelle20 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 08:37 AM

I have never heard of or seen that happen!

rzrbks · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 09:58 AM

I don't think you can, but that might be up to the state in which you live. In Kansas, you don't need an perscription to get syringes or needles and I know different states have different rules on that.

lgvincent · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 10:10 AM

I've never needed a prescription to buy Regular or NPH in Alabama or Georgia. A prescription is required for Humalog though.

HeatherP · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 02:11 PM

You can in California. Syringes, on the other hand are rx only.

am1977 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 06:42 PM

In CT, you can buy insulin and, I think, up to 10 syringes. Any more then that and you need a prescription.

Belinda · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 07:07 PM

You don't need one in TN either for insulin or syringes! You would think that with the drug problems this country has that they would ask for one for syringes at least! Oh yeah.....were we not going to give junkies free syringes at one time to stop the spread of AIDS? hmmmm but diabetics need them to live so lets charge them!....I think I would have just lost it if that ever past.

snydermom · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 07:54 PM

Here in PA ... Ed needs a script for both. We had trouble last month cuz the endo put refills on the insulin but not the syringes ... smart lady, huh? Also - his 1st box of 100 syringes were the longer (normal?) ones he can't use cuz he's so thin - he gets the ones for kids. Because it was a prescription, they won't take them back!

Anybody need 100 syringes? Beth.

Belinda · #9 (**permalink**) 10-11-2003, 02:42 PM

Beth I don't think they are for kids! I just think they are for if you take smaller dosages as opposed to40 plus units at a time but I could be wrong...I like the little needles and that is what I have a package of but I also use to use a syringe at least 3 or 4 times a day before I got a new one. I ask the Doc and he said it was okay to reuse it if it is the same insulin and that as long as the needle wasn't dull you could use the same syringe over and over. I do use the same lancet all day long before I switch them.
Donate them to a shelter they can always use them for their diabetic "guest" I sometimes donate insulin/supplies if I have an over abundance and know it will go bad before I use it. I give mine to a retired Doc. who takes care of that for me

Alaska · #10 (**permalink**) 10-27-2003, 10:09 AM

In Alaska and Washington you don't need a prescribtion for insulin or any amount of needles you need.

snakeye · #11 (**permalink**) 10-27-2003, 06:31 PM

Well you might want to know...Nuttin here in Turkey need a prescription except drugs which contain narcotics.

snydermom · #12 (**permalink**) 10-27-2003, 06:34 PM

Belinda - We're both probably right and wrong regarding the needle size. The short ultra-fine syringes Ed uses only go up to 50 units. But the dm nurse also said they use them for children because kids are so much smaller and they cause less discomfort. Plus Ed is so thin they suggested them so the d*amned thing doesn't hit his bone!

And regarding reuse ... I've tried more than once but get the heebie-jeebies at the thought of reusing!!! I know it makes no sense but it's a hang-up I have. I won't even let him reuse a lancet. Beth.

rzrbks · #13 (**permalink**) 10-27-2003, 07:39 PM

Quote:

snydermom

Belinda - We're both probably right and wrong regarding the needle size. The short ultra-fine syringes Ed uses only go up to 50 units. But the dm nurse also said they use them for children because kids are so much smaller and they cause less discomfort. Plus Ed is so thin they suggested them so the d*amned thing doesn't hit his bone!

that's the size syringe and needle that my father-in-law uses and I don't think he's a child, although........sometimes...........

Shalyndria · #14 (**permalink**) 10-27-2003, 08:26 PM

Gobbo,
Makes sense to me!!! And I'm with you all the way to town on that one!!

DeusXM · #15 (**permalink**) 10-31-2003, 10:39 AM

Whilst you can't buy insulin (or indeed, any prescription drug) over the counter, if any of you care to head on over to eBay and search for 'Insulin', you'll probably be quite surprised by the results, although eBay's security policy means that most get blocked now.

As far as I'm aware, there's actually quite a market for insulin, because it's supposed to have very positive effects for bodybuilders as a muscle growth agent. Since it's obviously undetectable in any drug test because it's a naturally present hormone, many bodybuilders are turning to insulin as an alternative to steroids to get that extra edge.

Doesn't strike me as a particularly safe way to go about it though...