WalMart Humulin N changing to Novolon?

[Patty]

When we switched to Novolin from Humulin N, I noticed a slight change in Ali's patterns. It does seem to kick in faster for us and her pattern was a bit flatter then.

But Ali's sensitive to the slightest things and we also have a lot of variables on our table even in the best of times.

[jim maceri]

I asked the pharmacist at my walmart and he knew nothing of the change but said that doesn't mean it won't happen. Anyway, I bought 4 bottles since they had 15 on hand.

[eileen]

Originally Posted by jim maceri

I asked the pharmacist at my walmart and he knew nothing of the change but said that doesn't mean it won't happen. Anyway, I bought 4 bottles since they had 15 on hand.

Jim, that means little as back in 2010 when Walmart was in the process of switching from Novolin to Humulin I asked a pharmacist the very same question....he too said that he knew nothing of this news.

I believe I bought about 10 vials of the Novolin N because I didn't want to deal with any possible changes with the switch to Humulin N.
I put off the change over for about a year.

[Patty]

I called Walmart here today. One said they are switching but not until "later this year." I think they just don't have it yet and aren't very well informed. So I called another close by and they said they have the Relion Novolin in stock now and price is $17.60 pre-tax.

[CraigM]

Originally Posted by Patty

So I called another close by and they said they have the Relion Novolin in stock now and price is $17.60 pre-tax.

Wonder what the true price is? I mentioned in another thread yesterday that my local Walmart told me it (Novolin-N) was a little under $25. $17.60 would be great. If my local store was selling it for that price I'd be tempted to buy 3-4 vials! I just might drive over this afternoon, but I still have an unopened Humulin-N vial.

[farrwf]

Originally Posted by Patty

I called Walmart here today. One said they are switching but not until "later this year." I think they just don't have it yet and aren't very well informed. So I called another close by and they said they have the Relion Novolin in stock now and price is $17.60 pre-tax.

Originally Posted by CraigM

I just phoned my local Walmart. They have made the switch to Novolin and said the price is a little under $25. I didn't press for the EXACT cost, probably would have to ring it up on the cash register to give the price. I'm happy for now.

Originally Posted by Scootersmom

Our Walmart in Pa. is selling the Novolin for $24.88. Same price as Humulin. The pharmacist said it is almost identical. There are 3 molecules that are different. Whatever that means. Going to call our vet tomorrow to see what she thinks.

Originally Posted by Daisy'sMom

Walmart used to sell the Novolin brand, then switched to Humulin and guess now back to Novolin. Someone posted on another site she just bought Novolin at Walmart for $17.88. She is in Texas. She also said that her diabetic poodle has been fine with the brand switch.

I have to wonder what is actually going on with the price???

[CraigM]

Annie just asked the price on the ReliOn Facebook page. Wonder if they will answer?

[eileen]

Was just at a local Walmart picking up Daisy's Tramadol...so just had to ask about the ReliOn Novolin N ;-)....

The answer I got was yes, they had it in stock and for $24.88, also have ReliOn Humulin N at the same cost....but then things took a strange twist when the clerk looked at me oddly and said they've always carried both, ReliOn Novolin N as well as ReliOn Humulin N....at this point I could see there was no use in trying to explain or to question further.

[snoopysmom116]

I went to Walmart today to buy Humulin N for my dog which is usually $25.
They said they are not selling it any more and showed me a bottle of Novolin which they said would be the same price. So I guess I will have to go back tp paying $80 for Humulin N at the pharmacy. Can someone tell me what is going on?

[Cebe]

Snoopy, I'm not expert, but what I'm gathering is that there may be a mild adjustment needed to switch to novolon, but that it should be mostly the same.

I have an extra bottle of Humulin N that I bought so I won't run into this issue for a month, but I plan to make the switch to keep costs in check. I will be doing a curve on Zoe within the first few days of the switch to see how it's working.

I'm still not sure exactly what I should be looking for or how these two insulins are different. But, I must keep my costs lowered, so novolon is it for me.