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Question about insulins



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Dec 30, 2008 03:00 AM

Question about insulins

by mondkmondk Premium Member

Way back when I was in nursing school, Lantus insulin hadn't been invented. I was taught to draw up regular insulin (clear) first, then draw up NPH. My question is this: I have a patient who receives Novalog insulin (clear) and Lantus. I drew up the Novalog first, then the Lantus. My patient told me I did it wrong and that Lantus shouldn't be mixed with other insulins. I didn't mix them, just simply drew one up right after the other. Now, this may be wrong and if it WAS wrong, please please someone tell me. All the other nurses I asked that night didn't know. Please help; if I have to make a med error form out, I will....but please educate me about Lantus...thanks!

Blessings, Michelle

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17 Comments
No. 1
from nyteshade
Old Dec 30, 2008, 03:58 AM

Default Re: Question about insulins
No the Lantus or insulin glargine (generic) should NOT be in the same syrine as another insulin, regardless of how it was done. Lantus needs it's own syringe. Do you guys have access to an updated drug reference on your floor? If not, I would contact someone, so the other nurses know as well.
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No. 2
from corky1272RN
Old Dec 30, 2008, 04:05 AM
Updated Dec 30, 2008 at 04:07 AM by corky1272RN

Default Re: Question about insulins
.
You are not supposed to mix Lantus with any other insulin. Even though you drew up one insulin at a time, it still mixed while in the syringe. You might try searching on the internet. The website I looked at stated that it delayed the onset of action for the regular insulin that it was mixed with, also the Lantus could become cloudy. I have never mixed Lantus. It might also state something in a drug book, don't have one near me or I would look.
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No. 3
from achot chavi
Old Dec 30, 2008, 06:56 AM

Default Re: Question about insulins
There are some great websites regarding Lantus- google it. Regarding all new meds- I get great info from the web and this helps. When I graduated Nsg School we had about 200 drugs out there- today there are like 200,000!!!!! I print out info for my staff all the time!!!
You can try www.lantus.com
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No. 4
from angelique777
Old Dec 30, 2008, 07:14 AM

Default Re: Question about insulins
My suggetion to you as a nurse is not to mix any drug with out checking compatibility its your responsibility. That goes for any medication whether its insulin or not insulin. If you dont have a Drug Guide you call the pharmacist at your hospital. Otherwise you will be at risk for medication errors which have many different consequences.

Take Care

Angela
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No. 5
from Thornbird
Old Dec 30, 2008, 11:57 AM

Default Re: Question about insulins
You also should really listen to the patient. As long as they are totally oriented, they are most familiar with their meds. If a patient tells me something isn't right, I always go back and double-check before administering the med.

Our Lantus has a little tag from the pharmacy that says "Do Not Mix With Other Meds". Most drug handbooks have a little chart that shows which meds can be mixed in the same syringe and which can't. Even though I've been out of school a very long time, I still look up meds I don't know, just as I did when I was a student.
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No. 6
from Thornbird
Old Dec 30, 2008, 12:02 PM

Default Re: Question about insulins
Also, while looking up insulins, check out Novolog. It is not the same as regular insulin. Novolin is regular insulin. Novolog is rapid-acting insulin. It's onset is 5 to 15 minutes, peak one hour and duration 2 hours. Many nurses (and docs) do not realize this very important difference.
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No. 7
from ChristineN
Old Dec 30, 2008, 12:05 PM

Default Re: Question about insulins
Previous posters are correct in saying Lantus is not to be mixed. I take care of a number of pts that mix it at home (to avoid 2 shots), but when they come to the hospital, I just tell them that goes against policy. It has not been approved by the FDA to be mixed.
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No. 8
from Michifura
Old Dec 30, 2008, 01:27 PM

Default Re: Question about insulins
Just like everyone else has been saying... you do not mix Lantus; by drawing them (two different insulins) in the same syringe, that is mixing. What I know about Lantus is you never mix it, never hold it, it is a long acting insulin which its onset is 2 hrs, it is peak-less, and its duration is 24 hrs.

If I am unsure about a med I look it up and/or call the pharmacist and most important listen to the patient, they know their meds.
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No. 9
from Virgo_RN
Old Dec 30, 2008, 01:50 PM

Default Re: Question about insulins
Originally Posted by mondkmondk View Post
I didn't mix them, just simply drew one up right after the other.
If you drew them up in the same syringe, that IS mixing. Your patient is right. Lantus should be in its own syringe. I would suggest you invest in a drug reference book. I like Davis.
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