what's the consensus?

[Allieboo]

Good morning all!

i'm using Novolin N from walmart and Allie gets 8cc's twice daily. i'm wondering if anyone discards the insulin or if do you continue to use it until its gone? my vet advised that i didnt need to discard it but i've seen a couple of responses on ohter posts that indicate this may not be what others are being told.

-dawnelle

[stylynjm]

Re: what's the consensus?

Welcome,
I think most people on here use theirs for 32-45 days. I use mine for about 38 days, then throw the rest out and get a new bottle...

[jesse girl]

Re: what's the consensus?

I guess it depends if you home test or not and able to see if insulin becomes less affective over time

we go about 2 months and maybe use half a bottle . now novolin from wallmart is fairly inexpensive compared to other insulin's so the incentive to hold onto it longer is not as important for most but I do understand some have to really watch there pennies

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

Re: what's the consensus?

I have a dog on NPH and a dog on Vetsulin. The vetsulin only lasts about 3 weeks given her dosage so we never have to throw it out due to potency issues. The NPH lasts a couple months (we use it all) and we haven't seen any degradation. We also home test so we can keep an eye on it

[farrwf]

Re: what's the consensus?

I used all the Novolin too, ... usually around 40 days.

[CraigM]

Re: what's the consensus?

I switch out the Novolin-N every 6 weeks (tossing about 1/3 the vial). I figure Novolin-N thru Walmart is cheap enough that I'd just go ahead and keep it fairly fresh. Be sure to roll / mix the vial so that it remains the same strength

BTW, Allie is getting 8 units of insulin, not 8cc. The entire vial of insulin contains only 10cc of insulin. We Americans have trouble with the metric system, don't we? The vial contains 10cc / 1000 units.

Craig

[Charlie's mom]

Re: what's the consensus?

Ditto to Craig, that's one of the reason I'm happy with the switch. We were getting such mixed info on how the longevity of Humulin, even from the manufacturer. Novolin says 42 days, so for less than $.50 day I don't feel wasteful discarding the remainder.

[Judi]

Re: what's the consensus?

Jenny's dose is pretty small and I have noticed a decrease in effectiveness anywhere from 4 -6 weeks. So I try to toss it after 4 or 5 weeks.

I actually keep 3 bottles in the fridge in case I break one, but I rotate the oldest out as we hit the 4-5 week mark for the new bottle. I write the date we start using it on the box.

After 2 1/2 years even my husband is finally catching on to this system! (I used to have to hide the extra bottles so he could easily find the one to use - he gets nervous)

[amydunn19]

Re: what's the consensus?

I can usually see the novolin n lose its effectiveness after 40 days. I will see the numbers start to drift up then start a new bottle and they are back where they should be.

I did notice something with the relion syringes in the past couple of months - when I uncap the syringe, there is trapped air in the end of the syringe. I have used them for years and have never had air in the syringe before. If you inject the air into the insulin, the insulin seems to lose the effectiveness much faster. I would stick the needle in without thinking because I have never had to think about it before, and either pull the needle back out and release the air or inject the air into the bottle. Either way, more air gets in the bottle. I have had to make a conscious effort to expel the air before I stick the bottle.

[CraigM]

Re: what's the consensus?

I did notice something with the relion syringes in the past couple of months - when I uncap the syringe, there is trapped air in the end of the syringe. I have used them for years and have never had air in the syringe before. If you inject the air into the insulin, the insulin seems to lose the effectiveness much faster. I would stick the needle in without thinking because I have never had to think about it before, and either pull the needle back out and release the air or inject the air into the bottle. Either way, more air gets in the bottle. I have had to make a conscious effort to expel the air before I stick the bottle.

I don't really understand this Amy. Don't you inject air into the vial before drawing out the insulin anyway? I know I've read somewhere (insulin data sheet?) that if you are going to inject, say 7 units, you should inject 7 "units" of air into the vial first to raise the pressure in order to withdrawal the insulin.

Craig

[CarolW]

Re: what's the consensus?

Wow, Amy; do you never inject any air into the insulin vial? If so, I'm surprised your vials haven't imploded

I always had at least three vials in the fridge. One fresh, unopened, spare, in case I dropped a vial or broke one. Also, the previous one, theoretically (by my theory and my vet's suggestion) expired after 35 days (five weeks), and the vial I was currently drawing from.

Every time I bought insulin, I marked the BOX AND the vial with fine-tipped marker, with the purchase date. Every time I opened a vial (punctured it for the first time, I wrote the opening date on the vial (and maybe the box as well, though I don't remember now - too many senior moments). And then I think I marked the closing - retirement - date on box and vial.

I was religious about the five weeks, as once I went over, and BG tests seemed to indicate the insulin was losing a bit of its potency.

[Patty]

Re: what's the consensus?

Over time, the vial would become a vacuum without injecting some air into the vial first.

[CarolW]

Re: what's the consensus? (sterile air)

Maybe somebody could make a mint by selling vials of sterile air

Procedure:

1) draw up X units of sterile air from the vial of it.

2) inject the sterile air into the insulin vial.

3) draw up your insulin dose (same number of units).



Hmm; I foresee a problem. You'd need to inject air into the vial of sterile air, so it doesn't implode. Perhaps, then, you need a SECOND vial of sterile air, so as not to contaminate the first vial of it.

And so forth.

[amydunn19]

Re: what's the consensus?

In six years, I have never injected air into the vial. Oh no!!!

I once tried to read that sheet that comes with the insulin. I gave up after the first paragraph.

[Judi]

Re: what's the consensus?

In six years, I have never injected air into the vial. Oh no!!!

I once tried to read that sheet that comes with the insulin. I gave up after the first paragraph.

there's a sheet?