Insulatard - white clumps

[Casper]

Good morning,

I've just got a new insulatard vial to put into the pen, when I shook it to mix, there are small white clumps floating around in the cartridge. Not sure I should be using it.

Its been in the fridge all the time, and is the second last cartridge from the packet, haven't had any problems with other cartridges in that packet. Expiry is 10/2013. Just the floaty white bits have got me wondering if its ok??

 

[ukjohn]

Good morning,

I've just got a new insulatard vial to put into the pen, when I shook it to mix, there are small white clumps floating around in the cartridge. Not sure I should be using it.

Its been in the fridge all the time, and is the second last cartridge from the packet, haven't had any problems with other cartridges in that packet. Expiry is 10/2013. Just the floaty white bits have got me wondering if its ok??

Casper are the white lumps still there after shaking the cartridge up and down about 20 times. If so do not use it.

Sometimes you can see lumps prior to shaking the cartridge, but should disappear after.

I use Insulatard myself.


John.

 

[Robster65]

Good morning,

I've just got a new insulatard vial to put into the pen, when I shook it to mix, there are small white clumps floating around in the cartridge. Not sure I should be using it.

Its been in the fridge all the time, and is the second last cartridge from the packet, haven't had any problems with other cartridges in that packet. Expiry is 10/2013. Just the floaty white bits have got me wondering if its ok??

Hi Casper.

Agree completely with John. It's been a long time since I used insulatard but I seem to remember that this can happen if the cartridges freeze, then thaw. Or something.

Have you tried swapping to lantus or levemir?

They're generally considered better and aren't cloudy. I came off insulatard at least 10 years ago.🙂

Rob

 

[Casper]

Thanks, the white bits are still floating after shaking the cartridge loads of times! Suppose I'd better dispose of it. The next cartridge, from same packet, has no bits, just cloudy when shaken normally. Never had a dodgy insulin cartridge before!

 

[Casper]

Rob, might ask about lantus/levemir as I have my 6mth review in about 3 weeks. Thanks.

 

[Robster65]

Rob, might ask about lantus/levemir as I have my 6mth review in about 3 weeks. Thanks.

What other insulin do you use?

Lantus/Levemir don't suit everyone but I'm surprised they've not at least suggested it.

Rob

 

[Casper]

I use novorapid when I need half units, have an echo pen for that, and have humalog when I have full units. Always used insulatard since diagnosis eleven years ago. Have another half unit pen for the insulatard as am quite sensitive to insulin.
Basically quite a combination!

 

[Northerner]

I use novorapid when I need half units, have an echo pen for that, and have humalog when I have full units. Always used insulatard since diagnosis eleven years ago. Have another half unit pen for the insulatard as am quite sensitive to insulin.
Basically quite a combination!

I wouldn't recommend changing to lantus then, should a change be suggested - there are no half-unit pens for it, but you can use your Echo for levemir I believe 🙂

 

[Robster65]

Sounds a confusing mix!

I'd be tempted to ditch the humalog and just use novorapid all the time.

Obviously the insulatard profile is very different to levemir/lantus but you may find it better for sensitivity with its flatter profile.

I think levemir fits the novo pens, so half units should be possible.

i used to be insulatard & actrapid but swapped to humalog about 1000 years ago and lantus as soon as that was available.

Insulatard is comparatively cheaper than levemir so I wonder if they're happy to leave you while you're happy, rather than be proactive and spend more money.🙄

Rob

 

[Ellie Jones]

It's correct with insultard (and the older cloudy insulin) if you see lumps in it, and they don't disperse after rolling around to mix, it's crystallised and shouldn't be used... If I remember rightly it's the ingredient that used to get the slow adsorption over a period of time, hence why you don't get similar probs with the clear quick insulin..

It's the same with Levimer and Lantus clear liquids, don't get the same problem...

As to what cartridges fit what pens,

Basically pens are made by the same manufacturer as the insulin, so insulin's made by lilly&lilly will fit all their 3ml cartridges, same for Novonordic pen's will fit all their 3ml/l cartridges..

The difference between both these companies pens/cartridges are pretty basic..

Novo nordisc the thread for the needle is on the actual cartridge itself..

lilly&lilly, put the thread for the needle onto the pen itself..

 

[Casper]

Think I will have to have a good discussion with the dsn on 6th June. I threw out the clumpy insulatard, the next cartridge looked far more normal!

I used the humalog in a Lilly memoir pen, which was brilliant, much better than the echo, but didn't do half units. Why oh why can't the manufacturers get together and co-operate to produce memory half units all singing all dancing pens that fit all? Grrrrrr..........

 

[Robster65]

Think I will have to have a good discussion with the dsn on 6th June. I threw out the clumpy insulatard, the next cartridge looked far more normal!

I used the humalog in a Lilly memoir pen, which was brilliant, much better than the echo, but didn't do half units. Why oh why can't the manufacturers get together and co-operate to produce memory half units all singing all dancing pens that fit all? Grrrrrr..........

A memory pen is something I could do wiht, but don't hold any hope of ever seeing one. Not keen on swapping to levemir or novorapid just to get one.🙂

Rob