Oops. Withdrawn/ wrong thread.
Like most of the people here, I reuse pen needles, although not more than once, only because the cost of the needles isn’t an issue for me (My insurer covers them). I reuse lancets practically forever, too. Only caution I would mention is to look at the needle after you withdraw it, as they sometimes can bend in use.I have been reusing needles occasionally for nearly 20 years without ill effect.
One thing to remember is to never use or give an open insulin vial that may have been used with someone else, especially if they reuse needles. I will acknowledge I have never been asked but I am very sure to remember that if a person asks to give them a new vial. Yes, that has happened.
I do reuse syringes, though I only do it twice, I find the thought of exposing a vial of insulin to residue (skin etc) a tad gross. (just me). Of course, if it meant not injected needed insulin or reusing syringes, I would reuse them until the cows come home and not think of it twice.
I certainly have and will reuse them, I do not reuse them often and I have never once had a bad reaction.
How is that for a mixed message?
rick
1 Like
If you are using a syringe just for NPH, then I think you could use it more than once, if you wanted to (with the caveats everyone else has mentioned). The issue with NPH (and maybe other basal insulins) is that you don’t want the cloudy substance in NPH to contaminate other insulins or it could atler their action/effectiveness.