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shankar_m
11-04-2009, 03:24 AM
Hi All,

I am facing a problem with the insulin pen (I use Actrapid Novolet). I keep the pen refrigerated (as the room tempratures here are around 27 degree Celsius). Usually there are very tiny bubbles holding onto the wall of the insulin pen. If they are at top of the pen I do not worry. But some times they are at the bottom and no matter how much i tap the pen, these tiny bubbles wont budge from their place.

Is there way to avoid the formation of these tiny bubbles?

Tribbles
11-04-2009, 06:19 AM
...
Usually there are very tiny bubbles holding onto the wall of the insulin pen. If they are at top of the pen I do not worry. But some times they are at the bottom and no matter how much i tap the pen, these tiny bubbles wont budge from their place.

Is there way to avoid the formation of these tiny bubbles?
The bubbles only matter if they release from the pen wall and rise to the top because then they reduce the amount of insulin you take. If you cannot tap them loose then they probably are not moving and are not a problem.

dme100
11-04-2009, 11:05 AM
I also see bubbles in my pen. I always "prime" it first with 1 unit to see a little drop on the needle tip, then with 2 units which shoots out so I know it working properly, then inject. I had a couple times when I think a bubble got in the way and either stopped the insulin from coming out or blocked some of it.
I have used Novalog, Apridra (currently) and Humalog pens, and they all seem to prime a little different. Mine say they should be kept at room temp after the first use, could it being cold all the time be a factor?