Stronger Novolog

[Cyborg]

Does anyone know if there is a U-500 strength of Novolog available? Asked the nurse practitioner about this, but she was not sure.

[JediSkipdogg]

There is U-400 from Aventis.

There is also a U-500 insulin but I'm not sure who makes it and it is special prescription only. One requires high insulin resistance to be prescribed and a pharmacy must order it directly from the manufacturer.

[Cyborg]

Aventis doesn't make Novolog, do they? I want to stick with the Novolog due to the cheap cost with my insurance.

[JediSkipdogg]

Why would you even want to switch? For someone like you you'd lose the ability to dose as precise. Your precision goes down 5x. And Novolog doesn't make one and most insurance companies don't even cover U-500, it's another one of those appeal only items.

[JediSkipdogg]

Here's some more info as well. U-500 is made by Eli Lilly and U-400 is made by Novo Nordisk. Both of those ONLY come in 20 mL vials due to a packaging requirement to make them not confused with U-100 insulin, which could be deadly. The U-500 insulin is R, you can't get it in any "Log" formula yet. Also, the cost is semi-savings to a person, but not by much.

Comparing one vial of U-100 R is $30.74....one vial of U-500 R is $210.68. However, remember you get twice as much in that vial, and it's 5 times more powerful, so you use 5 times less. That means it would take 10 vials of U-100 to equal the same in that one vial, for a total of $307.40, therefore saving money if paying out of pocket. But it would be an appeal item for insurance.

[Cyborg]

If the Animas reservoirs really held 200 units, it wouldn't such a big deal. It's just a pain to have to add more insulin before the 3 days is up. With regards to dosing, I don't think I'd have a problem with the 1/20 unit bolus capabilities of the Animas.

[Funnygrl]

If the Animas reservoirs really held 200 units, it wouldn't such a big deal. It's just a pain to have to add more insulin before the 3 days is up. With regards to dosing, I don't think I'd have a problem with the 1/20 unit bolus capabilities of the Animas.
There isn't. Only R comes in U-500.

[Funnygrl]

If the Animas reservoirs really held 200 units, it wouldn't such a big deal. It's just a pain to have to add more insulin before the 3 days is up. With regards to dosing, I don't think I'd have a problem with the 1/20 unit bolus capabilities of the Animas.
Doesn't the reservoir hold like 180? I mean, really, does 20 units upset you that much?

[Cyborg]

It's variable and after priming can go as low as 164 units. It I average 60 units a day, it does make a difference.

[BriOnH]

Does u-400 work any faster or is it just a matter of insulin concentration per cartridge?

[JediSkipdogg]

Does u-400 work any faster or is it just a matter of insulin concentration per cartridge?

Just concentration. Speed is the same time. Currently it's only for those with high insulin resistance (basically to help them not need to give 10 injections) and it only comes in R. In Europe (which is where Aventis is) they use it in the internal pump and it does react alot faster, but that's because the internal pump doesn't go through fat. Add a U-500 insulin, and you don't have to worry about adding insulin into the body that often.