Sorry, if this seems minor, but I know that most of you know first hand the differences, why I cannot begin to understand. My 2 year old daughter was diagnosed last year and the Dr. prescribed BD syringes. With our insurance we pay $40 a box. This last weekend our local CVS pharmacy was out of the syringes, so they called across the street to Walgreen for us to go over there. When they got there the pharmacist asked us if we wanted the name brand or the Walgreen’s generic brand. The generics only cost of $15 w/ our insurance. Yet, since I don’t use them I am now worried that the generic isn’t as sharp or good and it will hurt my daughter more. I am probably being silly, but I know that many of you on this site inject many time everyday like us and you would know whether it makes a difference.
On a side note, just to vent. I have asked at CVS where and how I could save money with all of our supplies and the guy told me to call my insurance who in turns tells me that unless I know the specific models, and types of supplies in which they would individually run in the computer then they can’t tell me. Why didn’t CVS just reccommend their brand syringe? UGH!
Ellen
Hi. BD makes BD Ultra-Fine needles with 1/2 MARKINGS syringes, so that one can accurately take small amounts when needed, and they also hurt less than any other syringe needles I have used. They are the only ones I use myself, and would guess they are what a 2 year old would need. They are a little more expensive than other type of BD syringes, and worth every penny in my opinion. I had to train my pharmacy to give me the 1/2 Markings rather than the BD Ultra-Fine needles that were 1/2 mL/cc, but they finally learned. Trudy
HI - I used BD when first Dx’ed, I switched to Relion ( Walmart’s brand ) several years ago. They are just as sharp as BD, and they come in 30 unit size, and have 1/2 unit markings, they are 30 gauge needles, very thin. I definitely recommend the 1/2 unit markings, like Trudy said, I take 1/2 units all the time. They cost $12.58/ box of 100. I don’t know where you live, but here in PA , I do not need an RX for insulin syringes since earlier in the year. I guess that is regulated by the individual state, but you could check.
Sometimes, it just makes sense to avoid all that insurance stuff. Think about it. Your co-pay for insurance is $20, the syringes or medications cost less than $20. You actually pay more going through insurance. So whether it is $4/month Metformin or Relion Syringes, my recommendation is to go to walmart and just buy them over the counter and evade insurance upcharges. As catlover notes, the syringes are inexpensive and in my opinion they are every bit as good as a brand like BD. The Relion products are “branded” and are basically a version of the regular syringes produced by the major manufacturers.
In my view, there is no difference in quality or performance.
ps. The reason CVS does not recommend their brand is probably because they make more money selling more expensive versions through insurance. You may think they are in business because they just want to help people, but it turns out, they just want to make money.
bsc- We are on the same wavelength about the Relion syringes. I’ve been using them for years and just buy them over-the-counter and don’t even use my insurance.
Thank you all so much. We still need a prescription to get the syringes here in IL., at least that is what I have been told. My husband wants to see if girlie complains (whines) more when we use these WalGreen syringes and if not is sure would help us save some money. Both the BD and the Walgreen syringes have the 1/2 markings on them. We do so many 1/2 doses! You all are so wonderful to talk to and ask questions to. Thank You!
Ellen
In the past there used to be a more marked difference between brands, with BD being the best of them and the generics and monojects lagging behind in terms of comfort but being cheaper.
Today I feel the brand name gap is much smaller. And that the store brands are every bit as good as the BD’s.
Yes, depending on the pharmacist trying to find the price of something, or of generics vs name brand, can be difficult. The better pharmacists will tell you the prices of what you ask of; I think in some cases state law may require the pharmacy to answer price questions.