• Find Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

dLife Daily Tips

Do you have hypoglycemic unawareness?

Read More View All Tips

Diabetes Questions & Answers
Your diabetes questions answered by our Experts and Community.


Can't find the answer you are looking for?
Ask a new question
The Question
11/06/09 12:18 PM

"Where can I find someone to accept a donation of my overprescribed, unopened Novolog? The doctor prescribed 3 years worth instead of 3 months."
Asked By: infundibula  
Category: Insulin

Background Info Hide
The presription was through a mail order pharmacy. They will not take it back. A lot of it will expire before I can make use of it. I would hate to see it go to waste when there are so many un/under-insured people out there.

Expert Answers (1)

11/06/09 08:06 PM

Hello Infundibula
I commend your generous nature but need to think of drug safety, If your doctor accidentally prescribed 3 years instead of 3 months of insulin, it would be the responsibility of your pharmacist to question that order. If for some reason the order was filled,the proper storage of the insulin must be maintained. Insulin should be refridgerated without risk of freezing. Once opened, should be stored at room temperature or refridgerated for no more that 30 days. Then the vial should be destroyed. All the vials will have clear expiration date printed on them and should not be opened past that date.

I do not think you would want to take the risk that the extra insulin you were accidentally prescribed would not be stored or used properly. It could lead to risk of systemic infection not to mention poor glycemic control. Return all the over prescribed insulin to where it was dispensed and discuss the over-precribed insulin with both your pharmacist and your provider to find out where the error was made. This risk is not something worth " donating" to anyone.

Answered By: Rita Juray
Accreditations: RN, MLT-ASCP, CCM, CDE
Sources Show

Community Answers (6)

11/12/09 09:53 AM

My apologies to those in need - I wish you all the best of luck. My thanks to Furball and Kysweet - I found a local clinic which will dispense to those without the means to acquire their own. My response to Rita (Expert). You said that I should return it to where it came from, but as I stated in mly post, they would not take it back.
Answered By: infundibula
FLAG
SourcesShow


11/12/09 09:31 AM

I would love a box! My insurance company just raised my co-pay on Insulin and I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to pay for meds and my utilities and it's nerve racking! I can pay for a box or two if it's less than my new copay...mcsanford82@gmail.com thanks! Cindy
Answered By: cindyrella47
FLAG
SourcesShow


11/08/09 07:04 PM

I have type 1 and use Novolog. I have no insurance and would appreciate the donation
Answered By: mjk
FLAG
SourcesShow


11/08/09 12:04 AM

I'm A type one on novolog that just recently lost insurance. I'd be willing to take some off your hands.
Answered By: loloscanlan
FLAG
SourcesShow


11/07/09 10:56 AM

You stated you got it by mail order at least I think you did. I can see why they wont take it back. I take any extra I have to my local clinic and have at least 4x they are so happy when I do. Unless someone is nuts they know to refrigerate it so they will do the right thing, there nurses and ddoctors there. Save someones life that might not be able to get it so they can stay alive why send it back to the pharmacy.
Answered By: furball64801
FLAG
SourcesShow


11/06/09 10:01 PM

Have you tried local clinics, health Depts, etc,,? I can't imagine why they or the drug store for that matter wont accept them, especially if the orange cap is still in place. Maybe a free cycle site, etc. all though I am not sure of legalities in this regard..
Answered By: kysweet56
FLAG
SourcesShow



Most Recent Insulin Questions:

I am very distracted lately due to losing my job. Last night I took 10 units Lantus over-32 instead of 22 units. How will this effect me?
i just started on insulin novolog flexpen. doc told me 3x a day before meals at #10. i just checked my blood level and it's at 87 is this low to take
What is the best range for a c-peptide fashing blood test
Why does my blood suger go up even when I don't eat?
Can taking insulin and eating too many carbs give you a headache?
What factors could explain why Blood Sugar would drop from 283 to 16 in less then 2 hours?
I have been a type 1 for 45 years. On Novolog for more then 5 years. I it possible I The usefuness of Novolog to stop working proper

 

*** All information contained on dLife.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Our Expert Q&A is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional or for professional medical advice related to diabetes or another medical condition. Please contact your physician or medical professional with any questions and concerns about your medical condition.

Sign up for FREE dLife Newsletters

dLife Membership is FREE! Get exclusive access, free recipes, newsletters, savings, and much more! FPO

FPO

Congratulations!
You are subscribed!
Congratulations!
You are subscribed!
Congratulations!
You are subscribed!

dLife Weekly Poll

Has diabetes made it difficult to get/renew a driver's license?

View Results
More Polls
More Diabetes Information
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
More dLife Information
Copyright © 2012 LifeMed Media, Inc.    All Rights Reserved.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.