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[Diabetes] Pre-filled or cartridge pen?

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  • 18-06-2008 1:33pm
    #1
    robinph
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,094 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    My Lantus Optipen decided to stop working last week so went on a bit of a mission around a few chemists to try and get a new one. Nowhere had any, but said they would order one in for us. Headed back today and it turns out that Aventis have seemingly stopped making them and only have the pre-filled pens now as far as the pharmacist could tell. I got hold of another HumaPen instead as that seems to take the cartridges as well, I just have to make sure that I don't get confused between my Humulog and Lantus filled pens now and end up using the wrong one.

    They seemed to be suggesting in the chemist though that all the manufacturers are pushing the pre-filled pens more than the cartidge ones now though but I cannot figure out why they'd be doing that. What type of pen are the rest of you using and is it just me that is currently still using the cartridges?

    I don't like the pre-filled pens as they are more bulky to carry around spares of than just an extra cartridge and a couple of needles, I know it a minimal increase in what I've to carry but it's enough to annoy me.


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    #2
    mike65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 88,978 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    Its true about the push to pre-filled pens, its easier/cheaper for them to produce. Its also more wasteful in my view.

    Mike.


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    #3
    BC
    Registered Users Posts: 1,326 ✭✭✭BC


    I use the Owen Mumford pen for Lantus - it was recommended by my specialist. I found it much less painful than the Aventis one.

    This is the one I have, the hospital ordered it for me:

    http://www.owenmumford.com/en/range/6/autopen.html

    I hate the pre-filled pens.


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    #4
    Assez Bien
    Closed Accounts Posts: 74 ✭✭Assez Bien


    I use the pre-filled ones, find them much handier than using cartridges because you can always have your needle on the pen ready to use.
    Used the cartridges when i was on mixitard back in the day, so awkward!!


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    #5
    Phototoxin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,398 ✭✭✭Phototoxin


    Its true about the push to pre-filled pens, its easier/cheaper for them to produce. Its also more wasteful in my view

    +1

    the waste factor annoys me a little but i cannot complain as i need it to live!


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    #6
    robinph
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,094 Mod ✭✭✭✭robinph


    Assez Bien wrote: »
    I use the pre-filled ones, find them much handier than using cartridges because you can always have your needle on the pen ready to use.
    Used the cartridges when i was on mixitard back in the day, so awkward!!

    I don't understand what your doing differently, I leave the needle on the cartridge type pen just the same a with the pre-filled ones. You pay the price in pain then though for not changing the needle each time due to them going blunt, but again for the sake of a couple of less things to have to carry around with you all the time.
    Phototoxin wrote: »
    the waste factor annoys me a little but i cannot complain as i need it to live!
    They won't ban us from being given prescriptions for insulin if we start complaining to them, I hope. ;)

    A mob of angry insulin deprived diabetics marching on the HQ of a manufacturer will probably not be too hard for them to deal with, a gentle push and we would all fall over I expect. :D


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    #7
    tbh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 15,914 ✭✭✭✭tbh


    funnily enough I went to Boots on Baggot st last week and they told me that they don't have anyone using the cartridges, so I've a load of pens now. They are handy from the point of view that you can leave a pen in work, at home, in the car etc, but I find the biggest downside is when I can't find the pen I'm using, I just stick a needle on a new one, and have about four on the go..


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