Lantus Prefilled Pen

I'd like to know if anyone has had the misfortune of one of these pens malfunctioning. Last night I went to use the last pen in the box, attached the needle, but could not get the pen to draw up the insulin. It was totally jammed. Luckily I found a disposable syringe and could draw up my insulin. This 'jamming' actually happened to me once before (quite some time ago), but fortunately there were more in the box. I just thought, what the heck would have happened if I had been away somewhere perhaps overnight?????? I think the only answer is to make sure I put in a prescription order when I'm down to two left in the box.

I think you're right about having a good supplies of spares but it would be worth informing the manufacturers so that they are informed of malfunctions - it's crucial. Thank goodness you're organised and had a spare syringe and I agree, when you're going away, take spares. I think it's scary when this sort of thing happens - we absolutely need it to be safe and reliable.
I looked on here this morning because I just found (after three days of shocking morning BGs) that my Levemir (another background/basal insulin) vial had cracked and so insulin must have been dripping out when I injected - I've had this before too.

I switched to the pre-filled Lantus Solostar a couple of years ago after a disaster when I was away from home and my normal pen exploded into its component parts! I had taken spare Lantus cartridges but not a spare pen... I've had no problems with the Solostar, but I do put in a repeat prescription request when I get down to two pens, and always take at least one spare with me when I'm away from home.

Stew

Thanks Stew

Hi, I always take spares after being stranded in Corfu during the dust storm caused by the volcano in Iceland. I had just enough but it was very worrying for me at the time. You can't be too careful!

I had a Solostar Lantus Pen jam in February 2011. Talked to Sanofi and they asked for me to send it back to them. I did not ask to be informed of the outcome so do not know what they discovered. But that was more than 2 years ago so they should have fixed the source of that issue by now

My reminder for reordering is set at 450 units left (ie pen and a half) so I allow myself one spare pen at all times. Probably needs to be more.

Whilst on holiday I had a novorapid pen fill cartridge fall on the floor (ceramic floor tiles) and the glass cracked and started to leak. I stopped using it - worrying about the dose or minute glass bits - so I was one penfill down and no spares till back in the uk.