Lantus vs other insulins

[riverotter]

In the prison where I work, inmates are required to have their own bottles of Lantus (nurses still keep and administer it), but we use stock bottles for regular, 70/30, N, etc. I asked why and was told it was because Lantus requires a prescription and the others are over the counter. Is this true? Anyone can walk in off the street and buy regular insulin at a pharmacy? If not, what is the reasoning here? Thanks.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

At least where I live, anyone can purchase regular insulin from a pharmacy without a prescription. Most longtime diabetics are familiar with how much insulin to self-administer, and society would have oodles more diabetes-related deaths if uninsured people were not allowed to buy insulin in a timely manner due to no prescription.

When you're uninsured, you cannot afford doctor's visits. If you cannot afford doctor's visits, you aren't getting the prescriptions you need. Hence, obtaining insulin over the counter is a patient safety issue and a lifeline.

However, Lantus is a basal insulin that typically requires the expertise of a physician or midlevel provider for proper dosing and titration instructions.

[Hygiene Queen]

Apparently, you can buy over-the-counter insulin:

You Can Buy Insulin Without A Prescription, But Should You? : Shots - Health News : NPR

http://www.firstreportnow.com/articles/over-counter-insulin-available-patients-diabetes-who-cannot-afford-prescription

Didn't know that was possible. Today I learned.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

Interesting. I had no idea it could be purchased OTC.

[riverotter]

Thank you, because I asked one (the only) diabetic I know (that I know of) and she said that she gets regular with a doctor's prescription. Maybe that's just so insurance will cover it, then. Thank you.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

The non-analog insulins (N, R, and mixtures there of) are OTC simply because of when they went on the market and their status never being reviewed since. More accurately, they're behind the counter- you don't need a script, but you do need to talk to a pharmacy employee.

Analog insulins- Lantus, Levemir, the new Tresiba, Humalog, Novolog, Apidra, and all of the mixtures there of and high concentrations being formulated of them are prescription.

Some states have written laws that over ride the federal OTC status.

[needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN]

My providers routinely write Rx for regular insulin, it may be an insurance coverage issue.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

My providers routinely write Rx for regular insulin, it may be an insurance coverage issue.

Providers write scripts for regular insulin here, too. However, uninsured patients who lack access to a provider cannot obtain the Rx since paying full-price to see a doctor is expensive, so they've got to obtain their insulin somehow...OTC insulin comes to the rescue for these people.

[Pat_Pat RN]

At least where I live, anyone can purchase regular insulin from a pharmacy without a prescription. Most longtime diabetics are familiar with how much insulin to self-administer, and society would have oodles more diabetes-related deaths if uninsured people were not allowed to buy insulin in a timely manner due to no prescription.

When you're uninsured, you cannot afford doctor's visits. If you cannot afford doctor's visits, you aren't getting the prescriptions you need. Hence, obtaining insulin over the counter is a patient safety issue and a lifeline.

However, Lantus is a basal insulin that typically requires the expertise of a physician or midlevel provider for proper dosing and titration instructions.

Can't the same thing be said of most medications? Re: patient safety

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Can't the same thing be said of most medications? Re: patient safety

Yes...but in many cases, it is not with the same immediacy.

I personally don't want to drive on the same highway as the uncontrolled diabetic with a blood glucose of 900mg/dL who is about to become unconscious behind the wheel due to lapsing into a nonketotic diabetic coma.

[Pat_Pat RN]

Yes...but in many cases, it is not with the same immediacy.

I personally don't want to drive on the same highway as the uncontrolled diabetic with a blood glucose of 900mg/dL who is about to become unconscious behind the wheel due to lapsing into a nonketotic diabetic coma.

I woulnd't want to be on the road with someone coming off of many of the psychotropic medications like Effexor, Prozac, et. al. that cause brain zaps and possible seizures.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I woulnd't want to be on the road with someone coming off of many of the psychotropic medications like Effexor, Prozac, et. al. that cause brain zaps and possible seizures.

Your point is salient.