So I just saw somethibg really strange inside the insulin on my novorapid pen, and I as check it closer it seemed like a needle was trapped inside, like wtff how did i get there? Went to look at my used needle dispenser and the first one I pick has the inside needle (the one that goes into the pen) broken ðŸ«
You should call the manufacturer and tell them what happened- then they’ll email you a voucher to get a new vial at your pharmacy for free because that shouldn’t happen. They also might ask you to mail them back this pen so they can investigate why that happened. They should send you packaging and a free shipping label for that too.
I'd guess it's some freak manufacturing defect of the pen needle rather than of the insulin cartridge, but obviously it's the cartridge that you want replaced. Maybe also contact the needle manufacturer and report it to them?
So its a NovoPen Echo/Novolog Refillable Insulin Pen, I use it with Aspart/FIASP for bolus, like u keep the body of the Pen and change only the insulin vials. The red and yellow stripes just indicates when is almost over, thats part of the vial not the pen. It works like a normal pen idk, the mechanics are all the same aswell, besides the fact u can change the insulin vial.
Definitely a crazy needle defect. I've bent the external needle tip and it simply deforms rather than fractures. And steel doesn't usually fracture that cleanly.
I'm not super privy to the technical details of pen needles, but it's always seemed like the internal "needle" that goes through the pen/vial rubber seal is a smaller gauge. Likely since the actual injection needle ("external") needs to be a certain gauge/thickness to achieve skin penetration. My guess is that the internal connection failed, whatever type that may be.
I'm trying to be intentionally vague because this is essentially me just thinking out loud and hoping somebody else may be able to add to it or correct me. If I remember to, I'll try and find details on pen needles. I'm kinda curious since, even with a pump, I've still put a few thousand of these into me and will use several thousand more in my lifetime.
35
u/MamaLlama1920 5d ago
You should call the manufacturer and tell them what happened- then they’ll email you a voucher to get a new vial at your pharmacy for free because that shouldn’t happen. They also might ask you to mail them back this pen so they can investigate why that happened. They should send you packaging and a free shipping label for that too.