Who uses Novomix? Please HELP!!!!

[alexg]

From the start I had this same question. I started Novomix 7030 using the Flexpen last week on Wednesday and I traveled out of town after starting. I transported the Insulin in an ice chest bag with an ice block like they recommended. It kinda separated by the time I took it out and was a bit cold. I mixed it and it turned milky color again. I called Novomix and they said as long as it wasn't frozen, it should be okay as long as I mix it right.

Okay I mixed it and used it from about 3 days during the weekend. Got home today after traveling back to town with the Flexpen again. This time, again it was separated. Will mix it again and take a shot again tomorrow morning.

Besides the expiration date and the 30 day usage. My question is for those of you whom use this... How exactly do you know when it can no longer be used, how do you tell when its a frosty color instead of milky or it contains particles inside (what exactly does particles mean - are they particles that don't mix no more after shaking)? What happens if someone uses Novomix that has bad frosty color or particles like they say?

Alexg

[BriOnH]

Who uses novomix? People that haven't ried lantus/levemir and/or novolog/humalog.

[alexg]

I like the sarcasm but doesn't help out.

Alexg

[JediSkipdogg]

I'm drawing a total blank as to what Novomix is a mix of...but....

If it's anything like NPH was then the seperating is not a problem. That's normal and just rolling (shaking can cause bubbles) the mixture together should do the trick.

Now, you asked how to tell if it's bad. The easy way is if you notice it "clumping" together at all. It's really hard to describe but it would be solid particles forming in it. Now, if you inject when it's bad, if it's a particle, it may not go through the needle. If it hasn't made it that far in badness then the only way to tell is when you give some, test, and find out it didn't do as you expected. Then you try again later, and it still doesn't work. It's really hard sometimes to tell when insulin goes bad.

I hope that helped some.

[Funnygrl]

Novomix is 70/30.

[BlueSky]

.... How exactly do you know when it can no longer be used, .....
The answer is quite simple, really. You will know that your insulin has lost potency when your blood sugars go up and there is no other explanation. But it hardly ever happens. 70/30 is very stable insulin. Generally speaking, you don't need to transport it with an ice block either. If outside temperatures are very high, a Frio pack works well and is more convenient.

[duck]

From what you describe, you are okay. When I was on NPH, I had that stuff out in the heat in a bookbag at school, and it still worked.

If you had crystals or if it broke down physically, you could tell...trust me on this.

If I were you, since you are new to this, when you get your next pen or next couple of pens, don't discard the old pens, but leave the old ones out to "go bad". At least then you'll be better acquainted with what bad Novomix looks like.

[kgm0612]

After you use the 70/30 flexpen the first time, you don't need to keep it cool. Just keep it at room temp and make sure you gently roll the pen to mix the insulins before injecting.

Karen

[alexg]

Thanks you all for the replies, that really helped out.

Alexg

[alexg]

I am still on my first pen from the pack of five I think, anyways, I just read the instructions that came in the pack and it says that the unused pens should be between 36 and 46 C. I don't think my refrigerator is that cold and never has because I have it at minimum in the dial, things are just cool in there. Now I am thinking if those others in there are still good, guess only way to find out is to use them huh.... - though they still look new inside and the mix is still lined up in the wall like before you roll it in your hands the first time.

dja2k

[alexg]

I keep signing some posts as dja2k, sorry about that, its a habit and thats my nickname cause I used to help out a radio dj here in my town.

Anyways, Update, my current pen is getting low and just thought of mixing a new one for tomorrow. I rolled it 10 times then up and down 10 times like it said in the instructions, and it so happens to have a solid white cloud stuck to the top of the pen. ****, this means its not good anymore, now my others are probably the same. First batch of pens down the drain in about a week and a half. Hmmm I wonder if my insurance would care if I get my refill already? :(

Alexg

[kgm0612]

Alex..........you can shake the flex pen a little harder than you're doing. It won't hurt the insulin and will mix it well.

Also......where in the refrig are you keeping the other flexpens? I used to keep mine (and still keep my backup Novolog flexpens) on the door of my refrig. The expiration date should be for at least a year from now.

Karen

[alexg]

I keep mine in the bottom of the fridge. I am going to have to get a thermometer to test the temperature to make sure.

If the doctor put on the prescription, 16 u twice a day, and each pen has 100 units, does that mean that supposedly each pen is going to last around 3 days?

Alex

[alexg]

Hey what about that whole throw away used after 10 days and non-refrigerated pens after 30 days?

Alex

[alexg]

I keep mine in the bottom of the fridge. I am going to have to get a thermometer to test the temperature to make sure.

Alex

[duck]

Hey what about that whole throw away used after 10 days and non-refrigerated pens after 30 days?

Alex

A lot of that is CYA on the part of the manufacturer--Figure the stuff last longer than that, but they don't want to say "throw away after 21 days because we know from extensive testing it won't work after 21 days" because someone will be silly enough to try and use it on the 22nd day, and then sue the manufacturer for a defective product.

Unfortunately, then, it will be trial and error on your part to determine what the effective range is after opening.