Walmart Insulin - What Is It and Is It a Good Option for People with Diabetes?

[@hunterdean4766]

I've been using Novolin 70/30 for 6 years now and it works great. My a1c is always below 6. I take 2 injections a day, 13u in the morning and 10u at night, and that is all the insulin I take. The key is eating a low carb diet. Far too many diabetics nowadays think they can eat whatever they want to, and just take more insulin to deal with it.

[@CamFits]

My problem.

[@palerider7924]

I don't think we should eat sugar even taking insulin. I'm just starting Novolin going to stay lower GI carbs at meals with insulin and protein between meals. Test so far don't give me confidence you can eat sugar and control it with insulin.

[@sheriwal1514]

My sister who had been diabetic for 60 years and has been on nph and r not one complications she is a single mom and has lower income it works for her🙏🏻🌸 thank God

[@DiabetesStrong]

So happy to hear that

[@HeyYall398]

After comprehending your explanation, I purchased Novolin N from Walmart. Using 40 units, I was able to lower my fasting glucose from 150 to 96, which has greatly improved my day!

[@billyoung8118]

I was diagnosed in 1985 at age 17. The only insulin available then was pretty much like the brand Walmart sells. That's all we had, you learn to dose appropriately, wait an appropriate amount of time to eat, and pay attention to your blood sugar greater. There were no meters that would give you a blood sugar answer. You used test strips and compared it to a sliding scale color code chart on the side of the vial. The tools available for diabetic care have vastly improved since that time and I'm thankful everyday. If you are not trained in how to use Walmart insulin, it can be harmful. But if you are trained and you act properly with it, it will keep you alive when money is tight. I was laid off in 2008, and when money was tight I had to use that insulin for several years. I did use it in my insulin pump and I had no problems with it. Humalog is far better, but when money is an issue Humalog is stupidly expensive.

[@ideliap.ortega7863]

Walmart insulin Novolin R works for me for meal times. I usually take this once or twice a day for lunch and/or dinner. I also take METFormin daily. I have not had any problems with low blood sugar. I used to be on a combo METFormin and Soliqua daily dosage. That would give me low blood sugars especially during the middle of the night (not fun at all).

[@dougberrett8094]

Another good video. Thanks for sharing. I bought Walmart N insulin when I first learned I could get it without a prescription. I went the insulin route for my type 2 because the meds my former PCP prescribed cost way more than I was willing to pay. I consulted my son who is a clinical pharmacist. One of his jobs is managing diabetic patients. He was surprised at the meds the quack prescribed and suggested insulin. He gave me a formula to determine the dose. It has worked well. I have a CGM so I can watch what effects what. Glucose in the upper 300 range dropped into the 150 range. I switched PCPs. Now on Metformin, cutting the insulin dose as the Met becomes more effective. Average is now 89. Hopefully will end insulin soon. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Walmart insulin is made for them in Denmark.

[@ikehigh05]

A 20 min bolus of fast acting (Novolog) and a “right before I eat” half bolus of human(Novolin R) is my secret weapon against pizza. The fast acting covers the carbs, the human covers the protein. Great Video.

[@DiabetesStrong]

That's a solid strategy. For those high-carb high-fat meals I often do a combo of Humalog and Afrezza, same idea just slightly different tools. Plus I often have to do an extra shot later which I guess you don't due to the Novolin..very clever

[@smaradt]

I do the same thing. I just tend to use Novorapid and Insuman Rapid instead c:

[@johnoldengarm7233]

Hi use novolin n and r for three years works great just keep close eye on glucose levels. Remember n is a intermediate insulin so use more often John

[@steven8970]

Thank you for explaining the differences 🙏

[@DiabetesStrong]

Thank you for watching

[@dimitrioshantgos9918]

Excellent video. I'm 46 turning 47 in a week. I have been Juvenile Diabetic since January of 1977. I am amazed by speaking to Juvenile Diabetics for even 15 years of not knowing what Regular is. Early on I grew up when there insulin was Pork/Beef, and took Regular and Lente for my long term insulin. Now that I have a pump, I can't imagine going back to injections, in exceptions for emergencies. The fact that you can buy Regular over the counter for $25 makes it excellent in case you are in a jam. You buy Humolog or Novolog at Walgreens or CVS without insurance, you are looking at $250 a bottle. Thats crazy. So when you are talking so much less money for ReliOn, it is an excellent option for anyone who is underinsured or does not have insurance. Otherwise I prefer Novolog or Admelog. Just this past 4th of July my battery cap for my insulin pump broke. I already had Admelog quick acting insulin, but ended up having to buy NPH the following morning on the 5th. I was miserable, especiailly on the 4th because I only had three hour acting insulin. I had another time at Disney World where my insulin pump broke. They ended up. shipping me out overnight a new one, but I ended up having to switch to injections. I took Regular in 2016 briefly, for like 3 weeks, when I ended up not having insurance for three weeks. It is important to note Regular is not as water soluble as Novolog Admelog or Humolog, so you are not supposed to use it on an insulin pump because you can have insulin delivery issues. I did it in 2016 and it worked up until the third day I would have insulin delivery issues, but after I changed the insulin pump supplies it was fine. During that time I ended up always having spare insulin pump supplies on me, but that Regular got me out of a jam. Overall though an excellent video.

[@DiabetesStrong]

Thank you. And thank you for sharing your experience

[@palerider7924]

Im on Basal and metformin just started Novolin R at meals. Im tired of no carb been on egg diet for years. My fasting is under 100 so good there. I find i can eat 50g of non sugar carbs take 6 units and resd 100 at two hours but if I did the same with just sugar it would be a hugr number. I think Novolin R is too slow to deal with sugar.

[@MH-zg5yw]

I tried Relion Insulin from Walmart back in 2018. I used it for six months. It didn't work me. I gained 15 pounds in two weeks on it and it never dropped my blood sugar. My blood sugar on the Relion insulin would never drop below 190. I found it weird because at the time I was following a strict gluten free low carb diet, and exercising daily which included daily nine mile walks, which I had been doing regularly for over three years. It may work for other people, it just didn't work for me. Thank you for the video discussing this insulin

[@lucieni]

I’m not advocating doing this (and I’m hospital pharmacy staff so I REALLY shouldn’t be saying this!) but I continue to use my insulin carts (Fiasp) after the 28 day expiry if I have any remaining and I have to say I don’t see any reduction in effect, it still works for me sometimes weeks after the cart has ‘expired’. Don’t tell anyone I said this!!

[@DiabetesStrong]

Won’t tell 🙂 I’ve used opened insulin pens past the 28 days and they’ve worked fine as well

[@psdaengr911]

The 28 day rule has a large safety margin that assumes shipping, storage and handling errors, When insulin is kept refrigerated before use and kept within the temperature range stated on the inserts after opening, then its 80% potency life is almost twice the 28 or 42 days on the insert. If you are using glucose metering or monitiring and correct based in the readings, a 20% potency difference would not be significant.

[@lucieni]

@@psdaengr911 Absolutely! I’ve had zero issues with potency after the 28 day expiry (after using out of the fridge) but then again I live in the U.K… It’s known our climate isn’t always the hottest or most humid so I think on balance I can and have got away with it!

[@julianwhite1077]

I've read insulin loses about 1% effectiveness for every month out of cold storage. At reasonable temperatures that could take quite a while to even notice.

[@NoIDAvailable]

I take the novolin 70/30. Works fine.

[@HeyYall398]

Life saving. Thank you dear.

[@rosiejaan3510]

GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS DEAR 🤗

[@DiabetesStrong]

Thank you ☺️

[@oldbuzzard]

Thank you for another great informative video.

[@DiabetesStrong]

Thank you for watching

[@frederickruch537]

Novolin 70/30 pens work for me.

[@spiritmediumclaytonsilva649]

This was very helpful thanks!!

[@DiabetesStrong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheDoorDashingDuo]

I just got a box 100 relion needles for 12.98 at walmart

[@johnlee2692]

I use both their N and R. Never any problem.

[@DiabetesStrong]

That's great

[@waynemortensen6405]

Very informative

[@HeyYall398]

This is very complicated and confusing to me 😢

[@davidkilmer5268]

In the United States, if you don't have insurance....you're screwed . For many its their only option

[@mr.rohitgautam8097]

GREAT INFORMATION BUT IN INDIA IT COST 8 dollars for one vial of lispro and same for lantus

[@DiabetesStrong]

I know, it’s crazy expensive in the US! Thank you for watching

[@CamFits]

How can I get supply??

[@bksgames2464]

need a prescription for this now?

[@DiabetesStrong]

Only for the Novolog Relion brand

[@ChrisBullock1978]

I remember when I first became diabetic some 34 years ago, Regular and NPH was the first and it was if memory is right around 32 dollars. True after I switched to insulin pump I switched insulins then

[@DiabetesStrong]

Yeah, prices have certainly gone up, way up

[@psdaengr911]

They cost $28 a vial when they first came out, the same price that Walgreens has been charging for beef and pork insulin up to that point. I remember because I was paying for it out of pocket and I was making $7,500 a year. It cost me half as much as food did. The original motivation for human synthetic insulin was not medical progress, it was because the supply of pork and beef insulin was insufficient keep pace with the increase in the number of people who required insulin supplementation, so the question is raw materials was about to escalate. The development of insulin replacements was not motivated by a desire for scientific progress or better therapy for diabetics, it was motivated by patent expirations and greed.

[@andreymartin8748]

I am a type 1 diabetic I am currently using NovoLog and Lantus I've had to use novolin R due to entrance issues I had a question regarding novel in MPH if I wear to need to use that insulin instead of the Lantus would I keep the dosage of the same just take it twice a day and watch out for the peak around the six to eight hour mark(currently i do 22 units of lantus, so 11 in the morning and 11 at night?)

[@palerider7924]

Novolin R is supposed to be active out ti 5 maybe 8 hours. What does that mean? Doesnt insulin get used up by carbs? Does it just keep bringing down blood sugar that long? Or if you dose 5 units does that mean it can handle 50g of carbs all at once or spread out over 8 hrs? I worry if i don't eat enough carbs right after dose my blood sugar will plummet.

[@DiabetesStrong]

It's a bit of a curve so it works most effectively in the beginning (between 1.5 and 3.5 hours post-dose) and then less towards the 8-hour mark. If you during that time don't match the insulin with carbs you'll most likely see a low blood sugar. It doesn't start working right away, many will see it starting to impact blood sugars after about 30 min. post-dose.

[@palerider7924]

@@DiabetesStrong I can't find a real performance curve on it. Some say eat right after dosing within 30 minutes. Others say wait an hour then eat. Presently I'm eating after 30 minutes and mostly complex carbs and protein then at an hour might have something with sugar in it. I don't have a CGM so hard to know whats happening but my 2 hrs are good 100-125 range.

[@palerider7924]

Dinner has egg, cheese, oatmeal, 10 grams Snickers bar, milk, half a granola bar yes weird but haven't eaten sugar for years. I just started Basal Insulin and Novolin R at dinner. I had a 86 before eating, dosed 6 units, waited 30 minutes to start eating, ate egg first carbs afterwards. Measured 110 at 2 hrs. So I think I can play with Novolin and get some good results. It's cheap. 5 pens for $44. I'll use about 1 pen per month. Lunch will be protein not going to inject at lunch just breakfast and dinner.

[@andreymartin8748]

Due to insurance issues I had to use novolin R for a while my current medication is Lantus and novolog I had a question regarding the novel in MPH if I were to need to use a novel in MPH instead of my Lantus would I keep the dosage of the same just take it twice a day and watch for the peak around the 6-8 Hour Mark?

[@DiabetesStrong]

Your doctor would have to advise on that since it does work differently

[@ThePaulcrane]

Does novolin n require a prescription?

[@DiabetesStrong]

No, you should be able to buy that at your local Walmart without a prescription

[@gerade-aus]

Having heard your insurance copays, I dont think your coverage is so good.

[@HeyYall398]

A suitable title for this awesome video - "Insulin Rabbit Hole'

[@hollywinsman9464]

Are both of the Reli On insulins U-100 or is this dated back to the U-80?

[@hollywinsman9464]

Never mine, I see in your picture that indeed it is U-100.

[@redbull4966]

Can a type 1 diabetic use this stuff.

[@DiabetesStrong]

Yes, but it works a little different than Novolog/Humalog/Apidra so I think it’s important to get some level of training

[@sheriwal1514]

Great video

[@DiabetesStrong]

Thank you

[@psdaengr911]

The most important point to realize is that it is not Walmart's ReliOn insulin. No, it is Novo Nordisk insulin distributed by Walmart. The only differences are the box and the price. The Novolin is OTC, Novolog aren't. Novolin is insulin, Novolog isn't. It's like the difference between butter and margarine. btw Lilly sells insulin lispro, Humalog without that brand name on the bottle, it is the identical FDA approved medication., for 40% the list price of Humalog.?

[@DiabetesStrong]

Why do you say Novolog isn’t insulin?

[@mcmurdo5]

Novalog isn't insulin? Also, how do you get the Lily insulin lispro--from a pharmacy and is an Rx needed?

[@TheBrancheFamily]

How do you put the orange cap back on

[@DiabetesStrong]

You shouldn't need to put the cap back on. But remember to sterilize the seal before drawing out the insulin

[@TheStarsShadow]

Does NPH have to be mixed with Novolin R or can it be taken separate?

[@DiabetesStrong]

It depends on what your doctor has recommended. If you need insulin to cover your meals you need the Novolin R as well

[@brettoreilly9669]

Wow only get 5 pens for 85 usd here in Australia we get 25 pens for about 50 aud that is wacky as

[@DiabetesStrong]

I believe the US prices are among the highest in the world

[@mynameisjeff6988]

depends on your insurance. my basal Levemir is 35 dollars, my novolog is 65. Both for the boxes of 5 pens

[@dmvbay2535]

Is the Novolin Novo Nordisk vial/pens more potent than the Novolin Relion vials/pens? How different are they besides the price?

[@DiabetesStrong]

ReliOn Regular (insulin R) is “synthetic human insulin”, and works differently than the modern rapid-acting insulins such as Novolog

[@dmvbay2535]

@@DiabetesStrong Thanks but I wasn't asking about Novolog. I was asking about the difference between the Relion brand and Novo Nordisk. Novolin carries both labels on its box but I just need to understand the fundamental composition differences with each type.

[@DiabetesStrong]

@@dmvbay2535ah, sorry, I read your question wrong. I haven't done that research so I, unfortunately, don't have a good answer for you on that

[@psdaengr911]

Walmart does not manufacture insulin nor does it have a third party company manufacturing it for it. Novolin is a product of Novo Nordisk. The insulin in both products FDA regulated and is chemically identical. It comes from the same production process in the same factory. Novo Nordisk packages the ReliOn branded pens . The price difference comes from Walmart being the largest retail distribution purchaser of insulin, buying the product at world market prices instead of USA prices, and Walmart managing the entire logistics process of getting the product from the factory to its stores.

[@DiabetesStrong]

@@psdaengr911 thank you, I think you answered the question. For some reason, I didn’t understand what was asked. Thanks

[@jerretwiens26]

I notice you never mention Basaglar insulin?

[@DiabetesStrong]

It’s not a conscious decision 🙂 I guess I haven’t thought of content specifically about that. Were you looking for general information or something specific?

[@jerretwiens26]

It just happens to be what I am on. ;)@@DiabetesStrong

[@christopherleubner6633]

Tried that insulin and it is rather weak, supposedly it is a medium and quick all in one, but it seemed only quick and even then took an awful lot. Feeling like a human pincushion really sucks.

[@DiabetesStrong]

That’s does suck. Thank you for sharing

[@jarretgrathwol4790]

Prolly from China like everything else there.

[@sjf3205]

I actually didn't watch the video. But I have an anecdote. A couple years ago, my USA Walgreens lost their ability to supply insulin syringes. So the Walgreens pharmacist gave me a name of a private pharmacy/medical supply device pharmacy. I went from paying $70 a copay on Lantus to $0 dollars. The new pharmacy applied a coupon. And now they force Lantus on me every 27 days, with a copay that rose to $10. Because Lantus is supposed to be replaced after opening every 27 days. Whereas I can use it for two months. And my Humalog, which I stuck with because Novalog wouldn't work good for me, and I had a bottle that crystalized after 30 days a couple years ago, and got a prior Auth to keep with Novolog, costs me $35 a month. And I stock pile because of that schedule. I eat low carb and I don't go through that much insulin. So I got lots and it's cheap. And I can keep an extra vial at my office, and at my hunting property. Cheers! I did buys some Walmart Regular three years ago and never used it. And I am a veteran of when in the 90's we only had Regular and NPH. Times have changed. And I like it. The new insulins are fantastically better than 20 years ago. And my insurance is so good at diabetic coverage. I also get tons of needles for MDI for free from my insurance. Thank you for letting me brag. About it. And I'm Type 1 and run 6.2 or lower, recently 5.9 on HbAIC. And I'm not in any grief stage of being Type 1. Just a way of life. Just have to keep keeping on...

[@HNIW]

OTC insulin for 25$ 😂😅 As an EU family physician 🇵🇱👨‍⚕️🩺 ，my service is free for every citizen, the insulin is available ONLY with prescription, even for animals. The cheapest one - human, NPH and mix for about 1 $ ( one dollar) for monthly supply. Idea of OTC insulin makes me really scared 😳 😨 Insulin is still quite a popular medication for suicides. I can't imagine what some wierd ideas bodybuilders or other "doctor googles" can have. But you can buy guns OTC in USA so.... 😂😂 Live the American Dream 🗽🇺🇸

[@HNIW]

And we use PENS only, even for animals. The pens are distributed for free. I don't even know how to use an insulin syringe or where you can even buy any 😅