Can I Carry An Insulin Pen While Flying
Yes. TSA rules specifically state that diabetes-related supplies, including liquids, are allowed onboard once they have been screened by X-ray or hand inspection. You should declare your insulin pen and other diabetes equipment and separate them from other items when going through TSA screening.
Always pack your medications in a separate clear, sealable bag and never place insulin in a checked bag as changes in pressure and temperature can affect it.
Considerations When Choosing Among Insulin Pens
In U.S. medical practice, the choice of insulin pen will be, to a large extent, determined by the choice of insulin, as particular insulins are specific to certain makes of insulin pen. Anecdotal reports suggest that many patients prefer prefilled disposable pens to refillable pens because disposable pens are typically lighter and smaller and are also simpler to use, as there is no requirement to load new insulin cartridges.55 However, certain refillable pens have features, such as a memory function or the ability to dial in half-unit increments, that are not available with prefilled pens . For example, the HumaPen LUXURA HD and NovoPen Junior are the only pens that allow the dose to be selected in half-unit increments. This may be important in children or in those sensitive to insulin. The OptiClik and SoloSTAR pens have a larger maximum dose than the other insulin pens and therefore may be preferable in patients who take large doses of insulin.
Another initiative is for pens to supply auditory feedback, particularly since patients with type 2 diabetes often suffer from impairments in vision as well as manual dexterity.58 The OptiClik, NovoPen 4, and improved FlexPen provide a confirmatory click when the correct dose has been delivered. In addition, the recently introduced NovoTwist® needle, for use with the improved FlexPen, has an easy twist-on action with an audible click when the needle is in place.
About Insulin Pen Needles
Use a new insulin pen needle each time you give yourself an injection. Insulin pen needles have 4 main parts .
- A protective tab. This helps keep the needle clean. Youll need to remove this before attaching the needle to the insulin pen.
- An outer needle cap. This covers the needle before and after its used.
- An inner needle cap. This helps keep the needle clean before its used.
- A needle. This is how the injection is given into the skin.
Figure 2. Parts of an insulin pen needle
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When Should I Use An Insulin Pen
To determine when you should inject insulin, pay attention to the times you check your blood sugar, when you eat and what kind of insulin you are taking:
- Check your blood sugar no more than 30 minutes before you eat.
- If you take rapid-acting insulin before meals, inject the insulin when you sit down to eat.
- If you take regular insulin before meals, inject the insulin no more than 30 minutes before the meal.
- If you take intermediate- or long-acting insulin, inject the insulin at the same time each day.
There is no standard or typical dose of insulin. Your dose will be the amount of insulin that you need in order to keep your blood sugar in good control. Your doctor will prescribe an insulin dose that is right for you.
Available Insulin Pen Devices
Two types of insulin pen are available: prefilled disposable pens and refillable pens .2744 Most insulin pens are proprietary devices, manufactured by Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and sanofi-aventis, and are designed to work with specific insulins from the same manufacturer. All currently available pens either are prefilled with 3 ml of insulin or are refillable pens designed for use with 3-ml insulin cartridges . Insulin cartridges or prefilled disposable pens are available for all insulin analogs and for most human insulins .
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Where Do I Inject Insulin
- You can inject insulin into your abdomen, upper arm, buttocks, hip, and the front or side of the thigh. Insulin works fastest when it is injected into the abdomen. Do not inject insulin within 2 inches of your belly button or into any stretch marks.
- Do not inject insulin into areas where you have a wound or bruising. Insulin injected into wounds or bruises may not get into your body correctly. Do not inject insulin through your clothes. Injecting through clothes can contaminate the needle and may cause an infection.
- Use a different area within the site each time you inject insulin. For example, inject insulin into different areas in your abdomen. Insulin injected into the same area can cause lumps, swelling, or thickened skin.
Whats The Alternative To Insulin Pens
If insulin is part of your regular care routine, pens arent the only option. While they may be one of the easier options, the traditional insulin delivery method of drawing insulin out of a vial with a syringe is an option. A doctor or nurse should provide you training on this method, as it will require you to be very specific about how much insulin you draw into the syringe, paired with learning how to properly administer this type of injection. For those that currently use insulin pens but are curious about vials, ask your doctor about making the switch.
There are also insulin pumps. These are for specific types of insulin, including rapid-acting insulin like Humalog and Novolog, which are approved for insulin pumps. Insulin pumps are attached directly to your body and are programmed by the user and their physician to release very small doses of insulin steadily through the day. If someone uses an insulin pump, they will not need to take long-acting insulin, and the user can manually tell the pump to deliver a large dose to cover food or treat high blood sugar as needed.
Finally, there is also an inhaled insulin called Afrezza that is a rapid-acting replacement for other rapid-acting insulin like Humalog and Novolog, but it cannot replace long-acting insulin like Lantus, Toujeo, or Tresiba, so anyone using Afrezza must also use one of those, which insulin pens can be a good option for.
In Summary
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Where On The Body Do I Inject With The Insulin Pen
Recommended injection sites include the abdomen, front and side of the thighs, upper and outer arms and buttocks. Do not inject near joints, the groin area, the navel, the middle of the abdomen, or scar tissue.
You will also need to rotate, or switch, your injection sites. If you use the same injection site over and over again, you may develop hardened areas under your skin that keep the insulin from working properly. Rotating your injection sites will make your injections easier, safer and more comfortable.
Follow these guidelines:
- Ask your healthcare provider which sites on your body you should use for injections.
- The injection site is about two inches of skin. Clean this area with an alcohol wipe in a circular motion.
- Move the site of each injection. Inject at least one-and-a-half inches away from the last spot where you injected.
- Try to inject in the same general area of your body at the same time each day.
- Keep a record of which injection sites you have used. Every time you give yourself an injection, write down the date, time and site.
Depending on which type of insulin you are taking, different parts of the body may absorb the insulin differently.
How To Store And Dispose Of Your Home Medical Sharps
Dont throw your medical sharps directly into the trash or flush them down the toilet. Put them into a sharps container. You can use an empty, hard, opaque plastic container that has a screw-on cap, such as a laundry detergent bottle. Dont store sharps in glass bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs, aluminum cans, coffee cans, or paper or plastic bags. For more information, read the resource How to Store and Get Rid of Your Home Medical Sharps.
Stop using your sharps container when its a little more than half full. Wrap the lid or cap with strong tape to create a more secure seal and keep it from leaking. Label the bottle by writing on it Home Sharps: not for recycling.
If you live in New York City, you can place the sealed container in with your regular trash for collection. Dont put it with your recyclables. If you live in a different county of New York or another state, check with your local department of health. You can also use the resources below to find more information specific to your area.
- Safe Needle Disposal
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How Do I Get The Insulin Ready To Use
- Check the label and color of the insulin. Check that you have the correct type and strength of insulin. Also check the expiration date on the label. Use a new cartridge or pen if the expiration date has passed. Use a new cartridge or pen if the insulin does not look right. Follow the pen manufacturer’s instructions for inserting a new cartridge into a reusable pen.
- Mix cloudy insulin. Sometimes cloudy insulin separates. The insulin will remain cloudy after mixing, but it will all be cloudy. Gently roll the pen back and forth between the palms of your hands. Repeat this 10 times. Do not shake the pen. This can make the insulin clump together. Next, gently tip the pen up and down 10 times. Do not use the insulin if you see clumps in it after you mix it.
What Is An Insulin Pen
An insulin pen is a device used to inject insulin. Many types of insulin pens are available. Most are disposable. A disposable pen contains a prefilled amount of insulin. When this type of pen is empty, it is thrown away. A few types are reusable pens. A reusable pen contains an insulin cartridge that can be replaced. When the cartridge is empty, it is thrown away. Then a new, prefilled cartridge is put in. Always use a new needle every time you inject insulin.
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Choosing An Injection Site
Picking your insulin injection site is a personal preference that can depend on a variety of factors.
Your doctor might recommend you use a certain site, or you may feel more comfortable with one alternative over another. Routine insulin should be injected into the subcutaneous layer, meaning it goes into the fatty tissues of your skin but not all the way to muscle.
Many people prefer to use their abdomen for their insulin injections, because its convenient and efficient for absorption. The area is easy for an individual to use for self-injection and is one of the most popular injection sites.
Another common choice is the thigh. Ask your doctor about where specifically on your thigh you should inject, though many people use the middle section on top of their thigh. Thigh injection sites shouldnt be toward the knee or near the hip bone.
Other people prefer their arm. The back of the arm, opposite your bicep, is an area of skin that generally has a little extra fatty tissue. This area might be slightly more difficult for self-injection, but some prefer it as their main site. This can work for some, but if you dont have enough tissue in that area, you might want to consider opting for one of the other options.
Switching between injection sites is very important. Tissue scarring can occur if a site is used too frequently. If scarring has occurred, it could impact the injection, becoming more painful if the skin is hardened, or even impact absorption.
Insulin Pens For Diabetes
Managing diabetes often requires taking insulin shots throughout the day. Insulin delivery systems such as insulin pens can make giving insulin shots much easier. If you currently use a vial and syringe to deliver your insulin, switching to an insulin pen may make it easier manage your diabetes.
Insulin pens dont eliminate the need to poke yourself with a needle. They simply make measuring and delivering your insulin less complicated.
Insulin pens deliver anywhere from .5 to 80 units of insulin at a time. They can deliver insulin in increments of one-half unit, one unit, or two units. The maximum dose and the incremental amount vary among pens. The amount of total insulin units in the cartridges vary as well.
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How Do You Use Lantus Solostar Insulin Pen
Inject the insulin using the 5-P method below.
. Likewise, where do you inject Lantus SoloStar?
Lantus® may be injected in the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. Remember to rotate injection sites. The abdomen is the preferred injection site for the AutoShield Duo. This location facilitates proper injection techniquesuch as keeping the pen at the proper 90 degree angle.
Secondly, how many units are in a lantus SoloStar pen? 300 units
Likewise, people ask, does Lantus come in pen?
Lantus SoloSTAR is a disposable single-patient-use prefilled insulin pen.
Is there a difference between Lantus and Lantus SoloStar?
Drug forms and administrationThe Lantus pen is called Lantus SoloStar. The Basaglar pen is called Basaglar KwikPen. The Lantus SoloStar and Basaglar KwikPen pens each contain 3 mL of solution with 100 units of insulin per mL. Lantus also comes in a 10-mL vial that contains 100 units of insulin per mL.
Common And Serious Side Effects: What To Watch For
The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus, is low blood sugar , which may be serious. Some people may experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision.
Ask your doctor about the symptoms and signs of hypoglycemia, how to track your blood sugar, and what to do if you suffer a hypoglycemic event.
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How To Use The Lantus Solostar Insulin Pen
Now that you and your doctor have decided Lantus is right for you, watch this step-by-step video to learn how to use the Lantus SoloStar pen. But always follow your healthcare providers instructions.
Rotate your injection sites as instructed by your healthcare provider to reduce your risk of getting lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis . Do not use the same spot for each injection or inject where the skin is pitted, thickened, lumpy, tender, bruised, scaly, hard, scarred or damaged.
- Removing and discarding the needle
Super: WHAT WELL COVER:
Step One: Inject the insulin
Step Two: Attach the Needle
Step Three: Perform a Safety Test
Step Four: Select the Dose
Step Five: Inject the Dose
Step Six: Remove and Discard Needle
It is important that you go over these instructions carefully before you using your SoloStar pen.
Step one: check the insulin.
SUPER: An unopened SoloSTAR® Pen should be refrigerated until first use. Do not store an opened SoloSTAR® pen in a refrigerator.
Laura: If your SoloSTAR® pen is in cool storage, take it out 1 to 2 hours before you inject to allow it to warm up. Cold insulin may be painful to inject.
SUPER: Check the label on your SoloSTAR® pen.
Laura: First, check the label on your SoloSTAR® pen to make sure you have the correct pen and insulin. The Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen is gray with a purple injection button.
Check the expiration date on the label of your pen. Do not use a SoloSTAR® pen after the expiration date.
Storing your pen.
How To Save On Insulin Pens
There are a few ways you can save on insulin pen costs:
- Many insulin pen brands offer coupons and special programs that can reduce your out-of-pocket cost, so be sure to visit their websites for more information. Here are a few programs from popular insulin pen brands to help you get started:
- Sanofi-Aventis Insulins Valyou Savings Program
For even more tips on how to reduce the cost of managing diabetes, we recommend reading our full article on the subject.
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Types Of Insulin Pens
Insulin pens are prescribed to people with diabetes who take long-acting insulin or multiple daily insulin injections of shorter-acting insulin. There are many types of insulin pens. Some contain different features, while others are allocated for specific insulin types.
Insulin pens vary in price, type of insulin, and dosing. Your insurance may have a specific insulin pen that they have on their formulary .
Some pens are able to deliver half-unit increments, while others deliver insulin in one- or two-unit increments. The lower-dosing pens are often suitable for children with type 1 diabetes who receive smaller doses of insulin. Certain pens can deliver larger doses of insulin in one injection.
Insulin pens can be disposable or reusable.
Important Safety Information For Lantus Solostar
Lantus SoloSTAR is a disposable single-patient-use prefilled insulin pen. Please talk to your healthcare provider about proper injection technique and follow instructions in the Instruction Leaflet that accompanies the pen.
for Full Prescribing Information for Lantus.
for information on Sharps Medical Waste Disposal.
to learn more about Sanofis commitment to fighting counterfeit drugs.
*Eligibility Restrictions & Offer Terms:
Insulins Valyou Savings Program: Sanofi insulins included in this program are: ADMELOG® 100 Units/mL, TOUJEO® 300 Units/mL, LANTUS® 100 Units/mL, and APIDRA® 100 units/mL.
Sanofi Copay Program: This offer is not valid for prescriptions covered by or submitted for reimbursement under Medicare, Medicaid, VA, DOD, TRICARE, or similar federal or state programs including any state pharmaceutical assistance program. If you have an Affordable Care plan, you may still be qualified to receive and use this savings card. Please note: The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program is not a federal or state government healthcare program for purposes of the savings program. Void where prohibited by law.
- LANTUS: Pay as low as $0 up to $99 for a 30-day supply, depending on insurance coverage. Maximum savings apply. Valid up to 10 packs per fill offer valid for 1 fill per month per 30-day supply
for Full Prescribing Information for Lantus.
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