Lantus questions

Hi all. I have been considering the idea of switching Squallie over to Lantus, but really know very little about it (except that it's a lot more expensive than the Vetsulin I use now, lol). Would I start at a lowered dose, around 0.5, or higher than that? Is Lantus dosing based entirely on BG at nadir? How long does a bottle of Lantus last, at, say, under 2 units/shot? What about the pens? How long would one last at that same rate?

I am sure there are other questions I will think of, still. Right now I just want to see if this is even affordable for my budget. Thanks for your help!

 

Hi Lucy, you will want to get the lantus pens. They can last a long time as long as they are kept in the fridge. If you use the lantus pens you can usually use every drop of it unlike the vial where you most likely won't be able to use it all before it goes bad so your wasting allot. As for dosing, I'm not sure what dose you would start at. I do know that lantus is much more gentler then some of the other insulins & yes it's based on the nadir not the pre shot numbers.

Check out the lantus section, there are lots of stickies to read & they are full of excellent information. Also if you decide to put Squallie on lantus order it from Marks marine pharmacy, it will be much cheaper then buying it at your local pharmacy. Also note you will need to use U100 syringes with lantus.

 

For a low dose like for most cast the pen is a better buy since usually you can use up a a pen (3 ml/300 units) before it goes bad. That is not usually the case with the 10 ml vial. Note that per unit cost for the pens is more than for the vial. Some of us order the Lantus from Canada to save money.
https://rxcanada4less.com/
They sell single pens.

 

Thank you both for the information, it's very helpful!

 

Hey Lucy. I got my first SoloStar pen at Walmart Pharmacy. It was 86.40. It is 3ml or 300 units. So if you take a 2 u dose times twice a day and divide it into the 300 units that pen would last 75 days. The "legal" expiration date that the manufacturer has to put on the label says 28 days but the Pharmacist told me they will last easy 3 months when stored in the refrigerator. The 28 days is the expiration date un-refrigerated. There is Mark's Pharmacy in Canada that sells 5 SoloStar pens for 144.00 which is a great deal. They say on their website video of how they ship, that it could take up to 10 days to arrive because they look at the weather report for your area and ship accordingly especially in the winter and summer months because of refrigeration and also to not have it freeze. I will order the next time from them regarding the shipping time.

 

Thanks Bobbie! Good information! (Yeah, all the insulin manufacturers tell you the same thing, 28 days; my vet said to ignore that, lol!) Didn't you start off with Vetsulin, too? I know you used ProZinc, too. What do you think of the Lantus, in comparison?

 

I started with ProZinc. So far, no real change in his daytime cycle......still stuck in yellow land. Last night at +6 when he should have been at his lowest, he was 369! Yikes. I cussed and went back to sleep. It was pointed out that with the 20% variance on meters +/- it could have been lower but still, he was the highest when he was supposed to be the lowest. Oh Bubba, you are killing me!! He has had 4 cycles of Lantus so far and it could take 5 -7 days for the depot to fill. So to answer your question, I don't know yet. I was so scared making the switch; don't know why but I was overwhelmed with learning a new protocol. I am following TR since it has a better remission rate only because the faster I can get him in normal numbers the better. Good luck with if you switch and if I can help you, yell.

 

Lantus takes some adjustment to (ugh, bad grammar!) from what I have read. I started out with Lantus so can't say personally. But it is one of the best insulins out there as far as remission. I can personally attest to the fact that it lasts a long time. We had a vial last time around and never used anything but that vial. It seemed to be fine the whole time. For pens, I recommend if you buy the box, you take out the pen you are using and tape the extras in the box to the side of the fridge, That way, no accidental crushing or jostling can occur. Good luck with your decision!

@Bobbie And Bubba, take a look at Rosie's SS. She does the same thing! Makes me nuts.

 

The reason they all say 28 days is that is the time element as tested by the FDA. It does not really expire then. Also, that is unrefrigerated.
The pens are supposed to be kept in the refrigerator until you use one. The balance stay in there.
The reason they want you to take the pen out is they are concerned about contamination from food products. I keep mine in there anyhow, I just seal it very well. Unopened Pens and Viles can last a couple of years. I repeat, Viles do not go bad after 28 days.
Lantus is robust so if you drop it by accident no problem as long as the glass is not cracked or lid loosened. You don't have to handle it with kid gloves. Also, you do not roll it like some insulins.
Keep it insulated in the fridge to prevent accidental freezing. I keep a small jar of water and a thermometer next to mine just as a precaution.
Lantus in mild, but long lasting so it can creep up on you on the bad side, but allows smoother curves on the good side. So, not too much ups and downs. As they say on here, Start low, go slow. Good advice. Don't let the Vet force you into large does increases. People here give better advice on this. The most I vary is 1/4 unit then wait three days to check..be patient, watch behavior closely.

 

Hi!
I started my guy on vetsulin and he was so depressed--we switched to Pro Zinc and his personality came back but numbers dod not hold-I was dosing TP 6-8 hours and it was still not holding--switched to lantus about 10 days ago just increased by 0.25 last night and so far so good--he is holding longer and his normal sweet personality. I am loving knowing this last longer for him hoping for remission. I wish I had started with lantus but…. live and learn. Good luck!