Damaged (cracked) vial of Novorapid - anyone else had this?

[zx10pilot]

Over the last couple of days my BGs seem to have been running slightly higher during the day - my average is normally about 6.3 according to my meter but over the last 7 days it's upto 7.2.
I've not been doing anything different or eating differently, and I've not been able to work out why.

Well, I had a breakthrough tonight - noticed there was a mark on the glass vial of my Rapid pen, right up by the plunger, almost hidden by the plastic surround... had a close look and realised it wasn't a mark at all, but the blxxdy thing was cracked! And once I'd removed the vial I could clearly see a network of cracks, all around the plunger, that were all hidden by the plastic casing.

Now I am quite sensitive to insulin, running at 1:20 ratio and very carefully counting carbs and religiously doing air shots prior to every jab. I think I've found the reason for me running a bit high - the inside of the pen was damp! So when I was injecting what I thought was a measured amount of Rapid I wasn't getting a full dose.

Now I treat my Diabetes gear with a whole lot of respect, I've not dropped it, or bashed it, or done anything that could have caused this vial to crack.

Anyone else ever had this happen to them?

 

[KookyCat]

I had a whole pack with a crack just a few months ago, I suspect they'd been dropped in transit or maybe just a faulty batch. Check the others just in case and if they're all like that ask the pharmacy to replace them for you just to be on the safe side. Also check your pen, I found out my pen had a faulty plunger shortly after (unrelated to the cracked vials) it had sort of crumbled at the top and so wasn't "plunging correctly" which in turn cracked one of the vials. That's hard to describe but essentially make sure the pen isn't cracking the vial if you see what I mean

 

[zx10pilot]

Thanks for that, hadn't thought it could be the pen at fault.
I have just raised a new prescription for some more Rapid just in case it's a batch issue.

 

[Northerner]

We've had one or two reports over the years of problems that turned out to be cracked cartridges - very rare in the scheme of things, but certainly something that needs checking if levels don't seem to be responding normally, without real explanation. Also reinforces the need to have spare cartridges and a spare pen at all times 🙂 Hope the next lot function perfectly! 🙂