Hello all. This may be a novice question, but I am curious about priming insulin pens. I use Lantus and Novolog pens. I usually only prime before a first dose on a new pen. Then, when air bubbles inevitably appear, I just roll or tap the pen so the bubbles move to the rear. Who here primes before each and every injection? If you do so, why (to ensure your dosage is accurate)? Should I prime every time? And finally, do you prime by holding the needle upright or down or does it matter since the plunger should equalize the pressure? Thanks much!!
I always prime with 2 U. Just habit I think – but it helps to ensure no bubbles.
I do not prime my pen. I normally have the needle parallel or down to prevent bubbles from passing, but I wouldn’t be that worried about a small bubble entering the subcutaneous tissue. If your dosage is critical, the insulin displaced by the small bubble may be significant, but I don’t think it would be a problem for most people.
I actually found that, even with priming and flushing bubbles, I always ended up with more bubbles after injecting.
I used to always prime because sometimes I would prime it and nothing would come out. So I prime it until I see 2 units go into the sink.
Yes, when we had to use the Novojunior pen, we had to prime two units into the air before EACH dose. EACH time you inject, not only when you open a new pen. Not sure about the Lantus pen; we didn’t use a pen for Lantus.
I take such low doses in particular with Humalog that I prime to make sure the needle is working right. Otherwise I’m afraid I might not get the little I need if I assume something’s coming out of there. As for direction, I point down so I can see the stream or parallel into a tissue if that’s not an option (such as I just woke up and don’t feel like focusing my eyes, lol).
P.S. I use pens. I can never seem to get rid of those bubbles when they appear, so I’ve given up. I get my dose as needed just the same.
I don’t bother priming. I did it at first but since haven’t seen a need. I agree with caprifoglio; I can never get rid of bubbles. I’ve learned not to let them form to begin with by not shaking up the pens or dropping them (one can hope anyway), but I noticed when I hold the pen down the bubbles go to the top and don’t get injected. Also if they do go into tissue it’s not dangerous (that is only for veins).
Hi I use lantus solostar pen. I was tought the correct way to prime by lantus helpline. They told me the pen must be upright in order to prime correctly. That came from lantus themselfs so that’s the way I prime. Yes I do prime with every dose 2 units. I was told by lantus help line that in the very start of the pen prime your first prime at 10 units then after that prime every dose at 2 units. I follow these instructions to ensure my pen is working correctly. These are the instructions given by lantus so I follow them to a tee. It does seem like such a waste to expell the two units every day but I figure there must be a good reason for it so I do it. I know sometimes during prime the insulin only dribbles out , I guess this is getting the pen ready to actually stream out for the injection. I follow the instructions and prime every dose to be on the safe side because if I don’t prime I’m running a risk of not getting my correct dose and that will lead to problems.I think its always best to follow the instructions given for a product, they have them for a reason so waste or not I prime. I’m sure there are a few good reasons they want us to prime besides air bubbles in the pen. I think it helps insure a full stream of medicine instead of just a dribble. Id say itgs a good idea to prime because that’s part of the instructions for the pen. Lantus has a live help line you can call if you have questions. That’s how I found out the proper way to prime. Good luck to you. I hope this helped you in some way and answered your questions.
when i was on injections i did in fact prime, usually 2units. this was just for my own peace of mind to make sure that the insulin actually came out of the pen when i injected, as i didn’t wanna inject & nothing go in, resulting in highs later 
I prime every time I need to give myself in injection…I like to know that my pen is working properly.
I use pens and I prime them every single time. I was taught that it was the best way to get rid of air bubbles by pointing it needle up and then squeezing out 2-3 units to get rid of bubbles, and to make sure the needle tip is working properly.
Thanks for your helpful replies!
I don’t use pens at all because of the waste of insulin. I get no waste when I use vials.
Well damn. I was on Lantus/Novolg MDI for 10 years and I never even heard of this. One of the great advantages of pens–I thought!–after 20 years on R/NPH: no more tapping the damn syringe to get the bubbles out. Who knew I should have been worrying about bubbles all along? Ah, well, using a pump now and yeah, back to thwacking the reservoir trying to get all the bubbles out.