- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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Dec. 4, 2009
Insulin devices being discontinued
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Several insulin delivery devices are being discontinued by a major insulin manufacturer. On Jan. 1, 2010, the Novolin Innolet R, Innolet N, Innolet 70/30, and any of the Novolin Pen fills, except the Novolog Pen fill, will no longer be available.
This will be difficult for those of you who depend on these insulin devices to manage diabetes. The prefilled Flex pen is a great device and is easier to use than the Pen fill cartridge pens, but it doesn't come with NPH insulin. The Innolet is also a great pen device. In fact, when it first came out I often said it was the best thing since sliced bread to happen to diabetes education.
I have a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis who's on twice- a-day NPH insulin program. The only way she can give her own injections is with the Innolet pen. She has tried the other NPH pen and is unable to manage it. She's at the point where she may need to hire a nursing service and have a nurse come into her home to give her injections twice a day. This is a major expense and she'd lose her independent living. A number of our patients have dexterity issues and the Innolet has been an extremely useful tool. I've also found it useful for illiterate clients and individuals with poor eyesight.
The same company will only have NPH insulin available in a vial. This means that a healthcare provider will have to order the NPH for their patients as vial/syringes, write a prescription for the other major insulin company's NPH pen, or switch to another insulin program. All these options do come with some obstacles.
- Many insurance providers contract with a specific pharmaceutical company and if the product isn't on their formulary, it isn't covered or is covered at higher co-pay.
- The insulin programs using basal/bolus insulin are more complex and can involve multiple daily injections and blood glucose monitoring.
- Analog insulin is more expensive then NPH.
- The insulin action of NPH insulin provides better coverage and is a simpler insulin program for specific health conditions; patients on chemotherapy or steroids, such as prednisone.
The bottom line — talk to your health care provider about your options.
Have a great week!
Regards,
Nancy
15 comments posted
February 7, 2012 8:56 a.m.
Brueslamar: If you haven't done so, please direct your concerns to Novo-Nordisk.
- Nancy and Peggy
April 22, 2011 10:46 a.m.
I have had severe rheumatoid arthritis since the late 1960s. My fingers are twisted and bent backward. Using the Innolet Insulin Pen was so easy for my hands, but the fountain pen looking pen I am now using is getting more difficult by the day to use. Will medical companies begin to make the Innolet Pen again. I for one would very much appreciate that.
- Dorothy
March 4, 2011 1:36 p.m.
I know this is an old post but my comment is still relevent ... my great-grandmother was diagnosed at a point she had cataracts so she couldn't see anything. We only had Regular and NPH back then. Someone came weekly and drew the insulin (into syringes) for her. Left them the refrigerator. Perhaps that's an option. If there are different doses, draw them and place them in different places so they won't get mixed up. Mark them with large dark letters.
- Doris
December 8, 2010 1:30 p.m.
My mother is 86 years of age, is visually impaired and has been using the innolet for the past 3yrs since my father passed away. He was her carer and always managed her insulin and injections, she is so upset that she will have to rely on nurses coming in twice a day to give her the insulin. It is taking away her independence, as it is to a lot of people. We a currently looking for something similar so that we can teach her to inject herself so she can regain her confidence and independence.
- Heather
September 22, 2010 5:25 p.m.
is there any new product out since this was discontinued.the alternatives are very dificult thanks ellyn
- ellyn
June 15, 2010 9:56 p.m.
I use the Levemir with the FlexPen. Some times I have a sore knot that comes on the injection site. What an I doing wrong when I give myself the injection.
- Jackie
February 22, 2010 1:58 p.m.
Nancy: The pens that are discontinued are the Novolin Innolet R, Innolet N, Innolet 70/30, and any of the Novolin Pen fills, except the Novolog Pen fill. According to NovoNordisk website they still have novolog cartridges for the Novopen Jr. Some pharmacies do not stock novolog (rapid insulin) cartridges. You might check with another pharmacy.
- Nancy and Peggy
February 14, 2010 10:29 a.m.
I've been using the Novopen Jr with 1/2 unit capability & Novolog cartridges for a long time. Now I'm told I can no longer get the cartridges. The same thing happened with Humalog several years ago. I NEED the half unit capability & I'm tired of having pens that can no longer be used. I don't like having to carry syringes with me when I go out to eat. Is there any way to change the minds of the powers that be? It doesn't make sense to discontinue something that makes insulin so much easier to use!
- Nancy
February 5, 2010 2:13 p.m.
When I learned that the insulin (Novalin N) cartridge was being discontinued after many years, I struggled to find that Lilly uses Humulin N in its disposable. I purchased it and find it is MUCH more complex to use, including difficulty with reading the symbols (diamond, arrow, numbers, through a convex glass. Give me my cartridge for simplicity and accuracy!
- Linda
January 5, 2010 11:51 p.m.
No one is saying why Novolin Pens are being discontinued! It certainly can't be because the company is losing money! So many diabetics use this device, not only for convenience but for accuracy. My husband was told today but not any reason for it except the manufacturer was not making it anymore. This is not progression instead it seems like regression for diabetics!
- No name given
December 29, 2009 6:22 a.m.
Whoa !! - all this about Novo discontinuing items is news to me: we have heard nothing about it here. I have used the Novolin Pens for 25+ years and now also the (new) Novo-Levemir cartridge. Does anyone think that this might just be a change restricted to the USA ? Thanks for any info 12/28/09
- CanajunJohn
December 8, 2009 9:52 p.m.
@ron Novolog 70/30 is a mix of rapid and intermediate acting insulin so that it produces a peak (ideal for meal time) and a sustained level for some time. NPH is an intermediate acting insulin that takes effect about 1.5 hours after injection and typically lasts between 12 and 24 hours. NPH is an older formulation of insulin that has largely been replaced by Lantus, a long acting form of insulin sometimes referred to as "basal" because it mimics the body's natural baseline insulin and is touted to have no peak (though some studies show it does). There are a lot of options out there, so talk to your doctor.
- No name given
December 8, 2009 9:50 p.m.
If the patient is on a set dose of insulin (not a sliding scale) then a nurse or friend or family member can pre fill syringes for up to 2 weeks worth. If on twice a day dosing make two different colored well marked cups to hold the syringes and store them in the fridge
- Deb
December 7, 2009 2:47 p.m.
We wonder why our health care cost are going up.
- No name given
December 5, 2009 3:12 p.m.
In regards to the accouncement about Novo discontining its Novolin pen fill that condaih NPH insulin, two questions: What is NPH insulin and how it is different from the insulin I use in my Novolog 70/30 FlexPen (which, if I read you right, is not being discontinued)? Second, Why is Novo doing this, and why does your bottom line--"talk to your health care provider"--not also include write Novo a blistering email demanding they keep the product on the market? ron@ronwhite.com
- No name given
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