How to order Insulin Glargine (Lantus) Solostar with a separate pen injector?

Insulin Glargine SoloStar Cannot Be Ordered with a Separate Pen Injector

SoloStar is a disposable, prefilled pen device that comes as a complete, integrated unit—you cannot order the cartridge separately from the pen injector. 1

Understanding the SoloStar System

The SoloStar pen is fundamentally different from reusable pen systems:

• SoloStar is a single-use, disposable pen that contains 300 units of insulin glargine in a prefilled cartridge permanently integrated into the pen device 1, 2
• The entire pen is discarded once the 300 units are depleted or after 28 days of use (whichever comes first) 1
• There is no option to purchase SoloStar cartridges separately because the cartridge and pen mechanism are manufactured as one inseparable unit 2, 3

What to Order Instead

If you need insulin glargine with a reusable pen system, you have two options:

Option 1: Order Insulin Glargine Vials

• Standard U-100 insulin glargine vials (10 mL containing 1,000 units) can be used with insulin syringes 4
• This is the most cost-effective option, with median NADAC pricing around $109 per 1,000 units for U-100 vials 4
• Patients draw up doses using standard insulin syringes in 1 mL, 0.5 mL, or 0.3 mL sizes 4

Option 2: Order Insulin Glargine Cartridges for Reusable Pens

• Some insulin glargine formulations are available as replaceable cartridges (3 mL containing 300 units) that fit into reusable pen devices 4
• These cartridges are designed for specific reusable pen systems and must be matched to the appropriate pen device 4
• The reusable pen device is purchased separately (often provided by the manufacturer) and the patient replaces only the cartridge when empty 4

Critical Prescribing Considerations

When writing prescriptions, specify exactly what you want:

• For disposable pens: Write "Insulin glargine 100 units/mL SoloStar prefilled pen" - this will dispense the complete disposable pen unit 1
• For reusable systems: Write "Insulin glargine 100 units/mL cartridges" AND separately ensure the patient has the compatible reusable pen device 4
• For vials: Write "Insulin glargine 100 units/mL vial" along with a prescription for appropriate syringes 4

Common Pitfall to Avoid

Do not attempt to extract insulin from a SoloStar pen using a syringe - this is explicitly contraindicated and will result in inaccurate dosing 1. The SoloStar mechanism is designed only for use with pen needles attached directly to the pen device 1, 2.

Device Selection Guidance

Choose the delivery system based on these patient factors:

• SoloStar disposable pens are ideal for patients who travel frequently, have dexterity issues that make cartridge changes difficult, or prefer the simplicity of discarding the entire unit 4
• Reusable pens with cartridges may be preferred by patients concerned about waste reduction or who already own a compatible reusable pen device 4
• Vials with syringes remain the most economical option but require good manual dexterity and vision for accurate dose drawing 4

Pen needles (purchased separately) are compatible with both SoloStar and reusable pen systems, with 4-6 mm needles recommended to minimize risk of intramuscular injection 4, 5.