# How shockproof are Humalog and Novolog pens? **URL:** \ **Category:** Tips, Tech & Gear\ **Created:** [March 20, 2018, 10:53pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-shockproof-are-humalog-and-novolog-pens/3759 "2018-03-20T22:53:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lh378](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/lh378/32/601_2.png) [@lh378](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/lh378)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2018, 10:53pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-shockproof-are-humalog-and-novolog-pens/3759/1 "2018-03-20T22:53:54Z")
Shockproof and waterproof are very useful features and benefits. On a side note, has anyone ever dropped their refillable novolog or humolog pen - did it break, or are they pretty rugged? How long does the battery for the memory last in the pen? Every now and then, my novolog pen goes wonky and I receive the — for insulin injected. I don’t know if the battery is weak. I’ve come to rely on the memory feature, especially if I’m taking a few corrections. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2018, 11:29pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-shockproof-are-humalog-and-novolog-pens/3759/2 "2018-03-20T23:29:25Z")
> [@Need Diabetes Case ideas, help](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/need-diabetes-case-ideas-help/3675/23): > > On a side note, has anyone ever dropped their refillable novolog or humolog pen - did it break, or are they pretty rugged? The Humalog refillable version (Luxura) is very durable. The flimsiest part of it is the plunger mechanism, I have broken one of those when resetting it for a new cartridge. But when it is capped, it is pretty solid. ---
**Author:** ![Jen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jen/32/4777_2.png) [@Jen](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Jen)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 1:07am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-shockproof-are-humalog-and-novolog-pens/3759/4 "2018-03-21T01:07:05Z")
> [@Need Diabetes Case ideas, help](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/need-diabetes-case-ideas-help/3675/23): > > Every now and then, my novolog pen goes wonky and I receive the — for insulin injected. I don’t know if the battery is weak. I’ve come to rely on the memory feature, especially if I’m taking a few corrections. How long have you been using it? The batteries are supposed to last five years. Although this is probably based on 3-4 shots a day, so if you’re doing a lot more, that’ll probably be shortened… ---
**Author:** ![lh378](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/lh378/32/601_2.png) [@lh378](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/lh378)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-shockproof-are-humalog-and-novolog-pens/3759/5 "2018-03-21T03:26:40Z")
I average 3-4 shots a day and have had the pen for about 5 years - so that may be it. Just when I think that I may need to replace it, the reading reappears. Do I need a prescription for the pen? This is my first pen. @Eric- I know precisely what you mean about the plunger mechanism. It does look flimsy! ---
**Author:** ![Jen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jen/32/4777_2.png) [@Jen](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Jen)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 3:35am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-shockproof-are-humalog-and-novolog-pens/3759/6 "2018-03-21T03:35:44Z")
> [@Need Diabetes Case ideas, help](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/need-diabetes-case-ideas-help/3675/31): > > Do I need a prescription for the pen? I’m in Canada. I just ask my endo for one or the pharmacy (who have always provided it for free). ---
**Author:** ![lh378](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/lh378/32/601_2.png) [@lh378](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/lh378)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 3:49am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-shockproof-are-humalog-and-novolog-pens/3759/7 "2018-03-21T03:49:22Z")
Wow! Thank goodness for the Canadian healthcare. I visit Montreal often, usually at least once yearly. Would I be able to obtain one from the pharmacy for free, or is a Canadian ID required? ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 4:17am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-shockproof-are-humalog-and-novolog-pens/3759/8 "2018-03-21T04:17:47Z")
> [@lh378](#): > > has anyone ever dropped their refillable novolog or humolog pen - did it break, or are they pretty rugged? We have dropped a Novolog Echo pen several times. Once, the upper part was not tightly screwed in. It separated and the insulin cartridge (our last one on that trip) cracked… But the pen was unscathed. It seems quite rugged to me. The Luxura pen seems even stronger to me when capped—but we never had incidents with one. > [@lh378](#): > > Would I be able to obtain one from the pharmacy for free, or is a Canadian ID required? When we were in Canada, we were able to get a free pen every time we bought insulin in a pharmacy, no prescription required. But we never found a place that had Novolog Echos though. I suspect these would be for pay? They are quite expensive comparatively. They may not be available in Canada? In the US, they need a prescription, unless you get them free from your endo clinic. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 4:37am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-shockproof-are-humalog-and-novolog-pens/3759/9 "2018-03-21T04:37:50Z")
> [@Michel](#): > > In the US, they need a prescription, unless you get them free from your endo clinic. I was able to buy the Humalog versions (the refillable kind) from a Canadian site, with no prescription. Not the insulin cartridge, just the pen. It was only $10. ---
**Author:** ![TravelingOn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/travelingon/32/1583_2.png) [@TravelingOn](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TravelingOn)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:38am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/how-shockproof-are-humalog-and-novolog-pens/3759/10 "2018-03-21T05:38:29Z")
My partner got his from his endo years ago, and she hooked him up with spares. They were marked Sample, but who cares - free! They are totally durable – I’m talking about the Humalog version that Eric mentioned.