U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

[mary anne]

...went to walmart asking the pharmacist tech who also says he uses this forum. I asked him what number on the u 100 syringes would be the new number using 15 units or less on the syrnge ...he said numbers work for the novalin but not for the novalin n....anyone out there know how to figure this out...i was told going to novalin n that then you would lesson the 15 u down a couple ...but know not how one would be able to change safely...i see a lot of charts from vetsulin u40 to u100 but he was specific saying the u 100's work for the novalin but not for the novalin n...anyone knows how to decipher this input???

Thanks, mary anne

[amydunn19]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

The tech person you spoke with is incorrect. That is kinda scary. U100 is the correct syringe for n.p.h. Insulin.


Most people reduce the dosage a couple of units to change over just to account for changing insulin and the effect it might have.

[CraigM]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

Look at the box the Novolin-N insulin came in. On one side it states "use with U-100 syringes only".

If you were trying to ask a pharmacist tech how many units of Novolin-N you should give to replace the 15 units of Vetsulin, he probably has no idea . I seriously doubt they are taught anything about Vetsulin in pharmacy tech school.

Also, to be very specific there isn't any insulin named just plain NOVOLIN. The insulin comes in three styles: Novolin-N, Novolin-R and Novolin 70/30. We use Novolin-N. There are some special uses for the other two, but they all use U-100 syringes.

Craig

[mary anne]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

I have not gone to novalin n yet....glad to hear what he said did not make sense but not knowing myself thought it was a good question to post and see what you had to say...next question is t does he u100 syringe has diffeerent code numbers on it ....if so when i do change and say at the time i am usng u40 of 15 units what would be the number for the same and/or let's say i start with novalin at 13 units 2 x daily...what is the equivalent number on the u 100 syringe for the same...want to share that this being the first day of shendell on 15 units she is really alert and her number tonight 520 a 91 drop from this am....i am in 7th heaven....still after a few days will hopefully see more drops...thanks to all for all your replies re my concerns....

Mary anne

[CraigM]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

This might be a little confusing, but the "15" on the U-40 syringe using Vetsulin is 15 units. The "15" on the U-100 syringe using Novolin-N is also 15 units. But the amount of liquid would be different

The amount of liquid in the U-40 syringe would be 2 1/2 times more than the amount of liquid in the U-100 syringe because the Novolin-N is 2 1/2 times stronger than Vetsulin.

This will make more sense if you held a U-40 and U-100 syringe next to each other.

So, if you are injecting 15 units of Vetsulin with a U-40 syringe, when you change to Novolin-N you could just fill the U-100 syringe also to 15. Some would suggest you back of to 14.

We can worry about this once you desire to actually switch. Just be sure you get Novolin-N and U100 syringes.

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

really glad to hear Shendell,s blood sugar is dropping on the new dose

[mary anne]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

Just started 15 units yesterday the 22nd of june...am reading was 611, pm 520. Today the 23rd am 578...question??? I am feeding her 2 cups in am and 2 in evening...i was wondering if i could split the am feeding by one cup and give her another cup mid day...as am and pm twelve hours apart is a long time. Or would it be prudent to feed her am, noon, 6pm and then give her insulin at 7:20 pm which then would be 12 hours apart???

[mary anne]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

I will pass along the syringe info re u40 and u 100 to the pharmacy tech as he has a diabetic dog too...he meant well but like me just learning i guess.
Now for the feeding am and pm . 12 hours apart .would this be for doing a curve??? I feel that she needs something in between when not doing a curve...like feeding her
in am, a bit at noon and then her nightly feed at around 6pm...then do the insulin at 7:00 pm which then would be 12 hrs apart. Poor little thing was hungry doing the feeding 7:30am and -=pm with nothing in between..

[mary anne]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

Got it craig...i meant to say novalin n...haven't gone there yet...want to use my
vetsulin up first but if the novalin n is stronger perhaps i should switch sooner and/or up the units of the vetsulin over time?...how far can one go? She is on 15 now this being her second day...is it safe to keep switching within just a couple of days onthe 15u??? Is this enough time to see if she
is reacting with the 15?

[jesse girl]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

it all depends some dogs actually need an extra meal but that was determined through a curve that is was needed to help with blood sugar

it could work out well or not as far as blood sugar. i would not do a curve if your thinking about changing the routine soon but it may identify if your pup is a good candidate for and extra meal

[CraigM]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

Although Jesse Girl, and one or two others, feed more than twice a day they did this after much testing / experimentation. The normal procedure is two meals and two injections.

Your pup probably is hungry because he isn't getting enough nutrition from his meals. High blood glucose means the glucose isn't being used normally by the body, but is circulating around in the blood, and later will be eliminated (peed) out onto your lawn. Once the insulin dosage reduces the blood glucose he probably won't seem to be starving.

Curves need to be done on a typical day. A curve done on a day with a feeding schedule that is different than normal will likely give false data. Same food, same times, same injections: consistently is important.

Most will tell you to wait 5-7 days before you increase the insulin dosage. I think I may have suggested 16 units several days ago? I would increase to 16 units tonight. I would go to 16 units on TWO meals and then stay there for 5-7 days. If you just must give some treat mid-day make it something like a few frozen green beans that probably wouldn't affect the blood glucose.
Craig

[k9diabetes]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

It is very confusing trying to describe the differences in the insulin.

Unit marks on the syringe match the units delivered when using U100 syringes with U100 insulin (N) and U40 syringes with U40 insulin (Vetsulin).

Let's talk when you get ready to switch to N. If her blood sugar is still very high when you switch to N, you can just give the same number of units of N that you are giving of Vetsulin.

If her blood sugar has come down into the 300s or less, then I would reduce the dose a little bit - 1-2 units - when switching from Vetsulin to N just in case she gets more of a kick from the N.

But we can sort that out fully when you are ready to make the switch.

The two insulins are like dark and pale koolaid. Vetsulin is pale koolaid - only a little insulin per drop of water. N is like dark koolaid. 2.5 times more insulin molecules in the same size drop of water.

The actual insulin molecules are not stronger or weaker.

It's the concentration of them in the fluid that's stronger or weaker.

And the syringes are calibrated so they deliver the correct number of units of matching insulin.

Try not to jump too far ahead. It will be easier to help you make the switch when you're actually ready to do it.

Natalie

[CraigM]

Re: U 40 syringes vs u100 for novalin n

The two insulins are like dark and pale koolaid. Vetsulin is pale koolaid - only a little insulin per drop of water. N is like dark koolaid. 2.5 times more insulin molecules in the same size drop of water.

The actual insulin molecules are not stronger or weaker.

It's the concentration of them in the fluid that's stronger or weaker.

And the syringes are calibrated so they deliver the correct number of units of matching insulin.

Love the KoolAid analogy! I think I'll use it to explain in the future

Craig