When to use a pen and when a syringe?

[Kyli]

Hey everyone,

recently I bought some pens for my peptides. But now I was wondering, when does it make sense to use a pen and when not? Does it make sense to use the pen for reta, so for a vial that lasts for a long time? Or for semax / selank - so daily application? Or for my 5-Amino-1MQ where I inject 2x day and the 50mg Vial lasts 5 Days. So I would have to refill a new cartridge every 5 days. Does it make sense? Or isn't the work worth it?

 

[ParallelU314]

Hey everyone,

recently I bought some pens for my peptides. But now I was wondering, when does it make sense to use a pen and when not? Does it make sense to use the pen for reta, so for a vial that lasts for a long time? Or for semax / selank - so daily application? Or for my 5-Amino-1MQ where I inject 2x day and the 50mg Vial lasts 5 Days. So I would have to refill a new cartridge every 5 days. Does it make sense? Or isn't the work worth it?

I'm currently wondering the same thing! I just ordered some pens as well.

 

[BrightCandle]

There is a certain amount of loss associated with every syringe action, you loose some units in the dead space, pens tend to only suffer that loss once as they reach empty. So pens typically get more out of a vial when there are more pins even though their end space loss is typically higher than a syringe. While a capsule is a little bit more hassle and expensive its also quicker to pin with and if your filtering anyway capsules just make a lot of sense rather than buying additional sterile 3ml vials, as a workflow its one extra vent needle.

 

[miameow]

For me, the fact that a cartridge holds up to 3 mL already rules out a few peptides.

I also tend to mix a few peptides in one syringe, so anything that would normally go into a blend is a no. Same with anything that requires larger doses, like SS-31 at 5 mg or MOTS-c at 5 mg.. I wouldn’t want those taking up that much cartridge volume.

So that actually doesn’t leave me with that many obvious options. Pens seem to make the most sense for smaller, consistent doses of something used on its own: maybe GLP-1s, cagri/elora, possibly GH.

 

[N Sharp]

For me, pens are elite for daily & weekly pins like Glow/Klow/Wolverine/Tirz purely for convenience reasons.

1. Pen tips require less storage space than full noodles
2. You also get more mileage with your sharps containers
3. I'd say pens are typically more hygienic due to absentminded things like putting your noodle down on the counter after pulling - you wouldn't need to put your pen down, for example.
4. They encourage filtering, which should be in EVERYONE'S recon routine

They're not for all peps due to the 3ml size constraint, but they're definitely convenient.

The worst part to pens is the learning curve if you're used to using noodles - but it's the same learning curve as using noodles themselves, so not too bad. PLUS, automatics are just lovely - if not easier than noodles.

 

[bay_area_schizo]

watching this thread cause I have some pens enroute as well. I mainly ordered them so I can pin my butt 🤣

 

[bada bing]

If I had the pens, I'd put almost everything in them. I only have 2 Convi pens. They have Tirz and KPV for now. Everything else is syringe. I need to buy more pens.

 

[bay_area_schizo]

For me, pens are elite for daily & weekly pins like Glow/Klow/Wolverine/Tirz purely for convenience reasons.

1. Pen tips require less storage space than full noodles
2. You also get more mileage with your sharps containers
3. I'd say pens are typically more hygienic due to absentminded things like putting your noodle down on the counter after pulling - you wouldn't need to put your pen down, for example.
4. They encourage filtering, which should be in EVERYONE'S recon routine

They're not for all peps due to the 3ml size constraint, but they're definitely convenient.

The worst part to pens is the learning curve if you're used to using noodles - but it's the same learning curve as using noodles themselves, so not too bad. PLUS, automatics are just lovely - if not easier than noodles.

what exactly is an automatic pen? aren't they all auto cause we only have to push a button? I've never used a pen yet...have some on the way . I ordered 3 V2's

 

[Flash-BCR]

I've been too pre-occupied with stacking...I see I need to give pens a whirl for the daily jabs... 👍

 

[N Sharp]

what exactly is an automatic pen? aren't they all auto cause we only have to push a button? I've never used a pen yet...have some on the way . I ordered 3 V2's

Manual pens require you to physically push the injection button down to deliver your set dose - essentially, it's the same as pushing a noodle plunger down.
Automatic pens are spring-loaded and will auto-inject your dose - just set your units, hold the button, et voila.

I prefer manual for spicy peps so I can administer doses slowly, but otherwise automatics are so nice.

Just a heads up that V2's are notorious for inconsistent dosing - idk if I can link things yet, but I highly recommend checking out Peptide Critics youtube video "Gansulin Auto Injector Pen Demo." You'll get to see an automatic pen demo AND how to check dosing accuracy using a regular noodle.

 

[BBA1969]

Pens come in really handy for the daily or near daily pins. Just for everything over 50u or once or twice weeklies I'm still using syringes.

As an added bonus, those pen needles are as pain free as it gets 😍

 

[Kyli]

check dosing accuracy using a regular noodle.

Does Accuracy matter? For insulin yes, maybe, it depends. But for peptides - unless you use 100mg GHK-Cu with 1ml BAC. Even with reta, I have currently 15mg with 2ml BAC. And my dose is about 26U. Currently I use a normal syringe. And the dosage is something between 0,25 and below 0,3ml. I think, accuracy doesn't matter. And Reta is a peptide, where an overdose can cause really bad side effects. Other peptides are more forgiving.

 

[N Sharp]

Does Accuracy matter? For insulin yes, maybe, it depends. But for peptides - unless you use 100mg GHK-Cu with 1ml BAC. Even with reta, I have currently 15mg with 2ml BAC. And my dose is about 26U. Currently I use a normal syringe. And the dosage is something between 0,25 and below 0,3ml. I think, accuracy doesn't matter. And Reta is a peptide, where an overdose can cause really bad side effects. Other peptides are more forgiving.

For me, accuracy is very important - otherwise, I wouldn't know if my dosing is correct.

For example - based on your reta15mg recon with 2ml bac, 25units should give you 1.875mg dose. However, if your pen isn't administering those units accurately, you may be getting 1mg per dose, or 3mg - schrodinger's pepper there, who's to know if you're not confident in accuracy?

 

[laansasa]

Pens come in really handy for the daily or near daily pins. Just for everything over 50u or once or twice weeklies I'm still using syringes.

As an added bonus, those pen needles are as pain free as it gets 😍

That makes sense. Funny though, I do the opposite. My daily pins I stack a few peps in 1 syringe but for my tirz I use a pen since it is a stand alone.

 

[sheilarae74]

I use a pen for daily and syringes for weekly pins.

 

[Kyli]

For me, accuracy is very important - otherwise, I wouldn't know if my dosing is correct.

For example - based on your reta15mg recon with 2ml bac, 25units should give you 1.875mg dose. However, if your pen isn't administering those units accurately, you may be getting 1mg per dose, or 3mg - schrodinger's pepper there, who's to know if you're not confident in accuracy?

Because accuracy does not exist. Let's stay with the Reta example. Honestly, it does not matter if you get 1.9mg or 2.1mg instead of 2mg (which is my current dose).

End during every process step you have inaccuracies. First you have no idea, how much is actually in the Vial. Some vials are overfilled by 10%, some are underfilled. Then you have to reconstute the vial. So you have to draw 2-3x 1ml in a syringe. Sometimes you have bubbles on the side of the syringe, if you draw to fast. So have you actually 1ml or just 0,95 in total?

That's why I think, we actually have no control over the accuracy. And as an engineer e = pi = 3 😉


And a difference to 1mg or 3mg instead of 2mg

 

[N Sharp]

Because accuracy does not exist. Let's stay with the Reta example. Honestly, it does not matter if you get 1.9mg or 2.1mg instead of 2mg (which is my current dose).

End during every process step you have inaccuracies. First you have no idea, how much is actually in the Vial. Some vials are overfilled by 10%, some are underfilled. Then you have to reconstute the vial. So you have to draw 2-3x 1ml in a syringe. Sometimes you have bubbles on the side of the syringe, if you draw to fast. So have you actually 1ml or just 0,95 in total?

That's why I think, we actually have no control over the accuracy. And as an engineer e = pi = 3 😉


And a difference to 1mg or 3mg instead of 2mg

Ah, I see where your coming from now - c'est la vie.

Sounds like you are more forgiving with inaccuracies because you can't guarantee mass anyway, so there's always going to be a bit of uncertainty - makes sense and I can understand your logic.

For me, I like to confirm accuracy when able because it's one of the few controllables on my end - I'm sure some feel similarly to me as well.

In other words, the world of grey always comes back down to individual preferences & risk tolerances. Nothing wrong with different approaches/preferences/priorities, so long as you're making informed & safe decisions.

 

[tcpnomad]

what exactly is an automatic pen? aren't they all auto cause we only have to push a button?

No - some are manual. They require you to push in the plunger.

One could even argue that most pens are, in fact, only semi-automatic - in that they require you to push the needle in manually (unlike the fully automatic injectors that come with Mounjaro or Zepbound).

Pen comparison

 

[tcpnomad]

during every process step you have inaccuracies

Not sure if I like this argument too much 😛. I mean, just because there are other inaccuracies in the process isn't a reason to add on even more. The goal is to minimize them.

But yeah, you have to live with some inaccuracies. In a pen, consistency is more important, because you can always calibrate it. Just measure the dispensed dose once and make a small permanent adjustment to your doses. And if the pen is at least consistent, you are good.