# Insulin: penfills or vials, and why?

**URL:** <https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/insulin-penfills-or-vials-and-why/6288>\
**Category:** Insulin\
**Created:** [January 26, 2019, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/insulin-penfills-or-vials-and-why/6288 "2019-01-26T15:55:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Trying](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/trying/32/4078_2.png) [@Trying](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Trying)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/insulin-penfills-or-vials-and-why/6288/21 "2019-01-31T15:13:23Z")

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> [@TravelingOn](#):
>
> **Reason #1:** The PenFill cartridges provide 50% more insulin for the same price.
> 
> Novolog vial is 10mL.

I use Humalog vials. Can you get Humalog in PenFills? I will ask my endo about it next appt. 🙂

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**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:** [January 31, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/insulin-penfills-or-vials-and-why/6288/22 "2019-01-31T15:17:16Z")

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> [@Trying](#):
>
> Can you get Humalog in PenFills?

Yes! And—the Deluxe version of the Humalog refillable pen is built like a tank!

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**Author:** ![mike\_g](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@mike\_g](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/mike_g)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/insulin-penfills-or-vials-and-why/6288/23 "2019-01-31T15:19:44Z")

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I use both, although I prefer to refill my pen cartridges or disposable pen (kwikpen JR) from vials, since vials cost less per volume - $48.00 for a 10 mL vial of Humalog, vs $99 for a 15 mL box of kwikpens (no insurance involvement in my case, buying with cash where insulin is cheap).

I only wish I could buy Levemir in vials where I purchase, since I assume it would be similarly cheaper. This I purchase for about $170 per box of disposable pens.

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**Author:** ![jag1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed655f/32.png) [@jag1](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/jag1)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 9:28pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/insulin-penfills-or-vials-and-why/6288/24 "2019-01-31T21:28:41Z")

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> [@mike\_g](#):
>
> I only wish I could buy Levemir in vials where I purchase, since I assume it would be similarly cheaper. This I purchase for about $170 per box of disposable pens

Are you in the US? I always bought Levemir in vials so I know it is available here in the US, maybe talk to the pharmacist about ordering it for you?

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**Author:** ![mike\_g](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@mike\_g](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/mike_g)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 10:45pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/insulin-penfills-or-vials-and-why/6288/25 "2019-01-31T22:45:19Z")

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@jag1, yes, I live in the US. I normally don’t buy insulin here though, due to ridiculous phony prices (except for Novolin R at Wal-Mart). I’ll check with the pharmacy to be sure, but it appears as though Levemir is only available in pens in Canada.

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