starting lantus today!help

[andypoo]

I've been reading a lot about lantus and other insulins,and it is very alarming. Lantus ,. Once it's opened its usage lasts up to 28 days. That's fine with my regimen because I'll use a bottlle within that time but I need to figure how much I'll need for a 90 day dosage and if all that lantus will stay potent. I have been taking humulin N as my basal and I just found something online that concerned me ,it states that it's not recommended to use it after 1 week,it loses its effectiveness! That may explain my highs. That pisses me off! All this time I've probably been using Humulin N and it's not even working good. I also take humalog for boluses before meals ,and found myself using it more often,because my bgs would still be a high,probably due to the lack of potency of the N,that sucks! I hope using Lantus makes a difference. To everyone make sure you keep your insulins REFRIGERATED! It will lose it's potency otherwise. Read up on the expiration of all insulins,it's really shocking. And if anyones having problems with highs,this may explain it.

[JediSkipdogg]

I've never heard that with N and it should last alot longer. With regards to Lantus, that is totally true. It will last about a month and then it dies extremely fast. That is once air is injected into the bottle.

As for figuring out a 90 day supply, just figure out how much you will use a day, multiply by 90, divide by 1000 and that's how many vials you will need. With that you don't have to worry about potency if you keep it out of heat and don't partially use a bottle then put it away for a while. It's only once air is injected that the timeframe starts.

[notme]

I used N for years and never had an issue with potency until it was about three weeks old. In hindsight, I would probably refridgerate it. But I didn't have much of an issue. Lantus is a bit more fragile, but never had any problem with it staying a bit longer than 28 days.

Good luck, I hope you have great success with Lantus.

[gettingby]

As for figuring out a 90 day supply, just figure out how much you will use a day, multiply by 90, divide by 1000 and that's how many vials you will need.
I tried your formula here and it does come out about right. It says I need 1.8 vials for 90 days which is about right.:)

[JediSkipdogg]

I tried your formula here and it does come out about right. It says I need 1.8 vials for 90 days which is about right.:)

I shoudl have added though, in general, if one follows the 28 days, then one needs to always make sure they have AT LEAST 4 vials when they order.

[grace girl]

I've found that if I keep lantus refriderated, it will last until I use it all, which is around 6 weeks. I just make a note of when the 28 day window hits, and if my numbers start to creep up, I'll get a new bottle. I've only had it happen twice in a year, and both times it was in the heat of summer.

[Scratch]

My last vial of Lantus lasted over 50 days. I made sure it stayed cool, although not always refrigerated.

From what I understand now, the reason insulins are only guaranteed for 28 days after first puncture is because that's how long they test to guarantee nearly 100% effectiveness. There is no magic switch in the bottle that on the 29th day it begins going bad, and in fact a reasonable inductive conclusion is that if the insulin isn't exposed to extreme temperature conditions then in all probability the time period of effectiveness lasts well beyond 28 days.

[EasyType2]

I've used Lantus for several years, on very low dosage. A vial lasts me about 2 months. I keep it refridgerated at all times, and I've never had a problem with loss of efficacy.

I spoke with Aventis, and was told the time limitation was because no testing had been done for longer than 28 days for sterility or efficacy.

[gettingby]

I shoudl have added though, in general, if one follows the 28 days, then one needs to always make sure they have AT LEAST 4 vials when they order.
Yeah. The last CDE I had before this new endo wrote my script for 3 bottles per month and wrote it for a year of refills. I don't do mail order. I just pick it up at the pharmacy and pay my co pay. :)

[andypoo]

Cool Guys,Thanks for your input,it's very helpful. I also started taking novolog in the pen,it works great. What do you think of the pens and does your insurance pay for it like regular syringes?

[shockme]

hi andypoo!i use the opticlik pen with the lantus.i love it!course-what do i know-i've only been on insulin for a bit over a month...:D good luck!trish

[andypoo]

hi andypoo!i use the opticlik pen with the lantus.i love it!course-what do i know-i've only been on insulin for a bit over a month...:D good luck!trish

I will definetly consider that. Now when you get your lantus do you get a pen with the lantus already in the pen? and if so does it have 100 units in it? Like the Novolog,it comes already loaded,with 100 u.'s in it.

[shockme]

i got the pen 1st,then had to see the cde for training.the cartridges don't come with it-it's not disposable.it has 100 units/cc-3cctotal/cartridge.trish