Forteo pen frozen - Osteoporosis Message Board

lwine · 11-04-2007, 12:49 AM

Hi,
I've just given myself my third shot of Forteo. The first two went fine but on the third one after the injection I couldn't get the pen to move. The shot was give and all the symbols were right. I couldn't get the pen to move back to the arrow. It's stuck on the diamond symbol. Has anyone had this happen?. The forteo folks aren't open until Monday. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to miss a shot.

Thanks,
lwine

DesertBloom · 11-04-2007, 09:53 AM

Hi Iwine and welcome: Here's what it says in the instruction booklet about pen jams... From Eli Lily Forteo pen instructions 2007:

What should I do if the pen feels like it's jammed?

This could be caused by one of a number of problems, including:

The previous dose was not fully injected into the skin. When this happens, the dose knob can become difficult to rotate and the blue injection button can become hard to push in.

You may not have counted slowly to 5 when you took your last injection. Counting slowly to 5 allows time for all the medicine to come out of the pen and prevents the pen from jamming later.

The needle may be clogged. Be sure to use a new needle with each injection; otherwise the needle can become clogged.

The needle is not fully attached.

Be sure to turn the needle clockwise until it is snug. Do not over-tighten the needle. Have a family member or caregiver help you if necessary.

The blue injection button is not pushed in far enough. Be sure to push the blue injection button in all the way.

Follow these steps if the pen feels jammed:

Attach a new needle.

Push in the injection button all the way (even if a "0" is seen in the window).

Hold down the blue injection button and count slowly to 5. You should then see a diamond or arrow in the dose window.

Repeat the steps to "Prime the Pen" and "Set the Dose."

You can also get help from the Forteo site, just log in with the password they gave you and click on "Troubleshooting".

Good Luck I hope that helps...

taape · 11-04-2007, 12:33 PM

This happened to me. Hold the pen so the needle is facing to the floor, press real hard on the other end of the pen. (over a sink as medication will come out) This should break the jam. You should be able to start over but I'd change the needle first. You end up wasting one injection but that's ok because there's extra medication in the pen. I hope it works it did for me.

lwine · 11-04-2007, 05:23 PM

I looked on all my information and there it was. The same thing you told me to try.
It worked. Many Thanks,lwine

taape · 11-04-2007, 06:37 PM

Great. I'm glad to hear it.