Insulin Pens
New Zealand has access to insulin products from three suppliers, Novo Nordisk, Lilly and Sanofi Aventis.
Insulin is presented in both 10 ml vials (and administered using syringes), or in 3 ml cartridges used with manufacturer specific “Pens”.
Insulin Pens are not a prescription item but are generally available at no cost from Diabetes Clinics.
For advice on injection techniques click here
Novo Nordisk
NovoRapid® Penfill®, NovoMix30® FlexPen®, Actrapid® Penfill®, Protaphane ® Penfill®, PenMix® Penfill®
Novopen 4®
NovoRapid® FlexPen®
NovoMix30® FlexPen®
NovoPen Echo®
Description
NovoPen 4® available in silver and blue. Steel barrelled with steel cap and plastic.
Penfill® cartridge holder. Delivers up to 60 units, in increments of 1unit. Designed to be used with Penfill® 3mL insulin cartridges and insulin pen needles.
FlexPen® is made of plastic and the whole unit is disposable.
NovoPen Echo® allows for fine-tuning of insulin therapy with half-unit dose increments from 1 to 30units and good for children.
Designed to be used with Penfill® 3mL insulin cartridges and insulin pen needles.
Presentation
Supplied in a case with space for an additional NovoPen® 4, an extra Penfill® cartridge and extra insulin needles.
Function
Pull out dose button from ‘lock position’
Turn the dose selector to select the correct dose.
Press the push button completely in to deliver dose.
An audible click reassures dose delivery.
Correct incorrectly dialled dose by dialling back for all these pens.
To put in a cartridge, the pen opens with a twist action.
Lilly
Humalog®, Humalog Mix 25®, Humalog Mix 50®, Humulin R®, Humulin NPH®, Humulin 30/70®
HumaPen® SavvioTM
HumaPen® LuxuraTM half dose
Description
HumaPen® SavvioTM comes in six different colours. It delivers up to 60 units in one-unit increments. It comes with an insufficient remaining dose feature that prevents the user from dialling more units than those remaining in the cartridge. The cartridge changing mechanism is also easier – just twist and click. Designed to be used with Lilly insulin cartridges and insulin pen needles.
HumaPen® LuxuraTM half dose delivers a maximum dose of 30 units. It measures a half unit dose, therefore good for children. Designed to be used with Lilly insulin cartridges and insulin pen needles.
Presentation
Supplied in a soft case with a zipper, and space for an additional cartridge and needle.
Function
Turn the dose selector to select the correct dose.
Press the push button completely in to deliver dose.
To put in a cartridge, the pen opens with a twist action.
Sanofi
Apidra®, Lantus®
Apidra® SoloSTAR®
Lantus® SoloSTAR®
AllStar® Pro Gilver
AllStar® Pro Cobalt/blue
Description
AllStar® Pro Gilver Plastic reusable pen that takes Lantus® (insulin glargine 100 units/mL) cartridges and delivers a maximum of 80 units.
AllStar® Pro Cobalt/blue Plastic reusable pen that takes Apidra® (insulin glulisine 100 units/mL) cartridges and delivers a maximum of 80 units.
Function
Turn the dose selector to select the correct dose.
Press the push button completely in to deliver dose.
To put a cartridge in the AllStar® Pro pen, remove the cap and the pen opens with a twist action.