INRatio lancet replacements?

[catwoman]

I got a new box of 12 INRatio test strips recently and had also ordered the lancets for the auto-Lancet. The lancets were on back order and came 1 week later.
At nearly 30 cents each, I decided to find something cheaper, much cheaper.
I first bought a box of 100 Freestyle lancets at Wal-Mart for about $4-$5, but they're 26 gauge and don't produce a nice drop quick enough for me. So, I'm donating the remaining 99 to my diabetic mom.
Then I found a box of 21 gauge lancets -- same size as what I had gotten from QAS -- at a Walgreen's drugstore. They were about $5.99 + tax (didn't have an Rx for an OTC item to avoid the sales tax charged here in TX). Box indicated they are a "Universal 1" lancet, usable with a variety of lancing devices, including Freestyle.
Worked just great.
Thought I'd pass this on in case others who are relatively new to an INRatio may want to save a few bucks on supplies. The lancets are a generic brand made by Am-Can (I think that's the company) for Walgreen stores.

 

[Bina]

I'm fortunate that my pharmacy carries the Coaguchek Softclix Lancets....box of 100 is $5.50
For me this is a 2 year supply!

 

[njean]

I got a new box of 12 INRatio test strips recently and had also ordered the lancets for the auto-Lancet. The lancets were on back order and came 1 week later.
At nearly 30 cents each, I decided to find something cheaper, much cheaper.
I first bought a box of 100 Freestyle lancets at Wal-Mart for about $4-$5, but they're 26 gauge and don't produce a nice drop quick enough for me. So, I'm donating the remaining 99 to my diabetic mom.
Then I found a box of 21 gauge lancets -- same size as what I had gotten from QAS -- at a Walgreen's drugstore. They were about $5.99 + tax (didn't have an Rx for an OTC item to avoid the sales tax charged here in TX). Box indicated they are a "Universal 1" lancet, usable with a variety of lancing devices, including Freestyle.
Worked just great.
Thought I'd pass this on in case others who are relatively new to an INRatio may want to save a few bucks on supplies. The lancets are a generic brand made by Am-Can (I think that's the company) for Walgreen stores.

Thanks for the info Marsha. I didn't know that one could get the lancets except thru the company that you bought your machine from! This is great to know!

 

[catwoman]

I'm fortunate that my pharmacy carries the Coaguchek Softclix Lancets....box of 100 is $5.50
For me this is a 2 year supply!

The Softclix lancets are incompatible with the auto-Lancet lancing device that comes with the INRatio. See:

http://www.palcolabs.com/section_products/autolancet_FAQ.html

 

[AgilityDog]

What a timely post!

I guess I'm gonna have to take back the lancets I just picked up at Walgreens this morning! I just got a mini-lancing device for $9.99 at Walgreen's, too (the regular auto lancet but shorter, and a bit more substantial than the BD brand I got at Walmart last week-ick). I picked up the 26s because the "ultrafines" are 31, and I know those are way too small. I thought the 26 would work, but if you say not then I'll just exchange the unopened box, since I don't have a diabetic in my life to pass them along to.

And yes, I did have to go to another web site and purchase the carry case, ($39 plus $8 shipping) for my new INRatio, but still, I saved about $700 altogether by purchasing the pieces separately (the so called "professional version" for which I paid $758 included the machine, the power plug, and individual disposable lancers, plus the instructions, but no lancing device or carry case-boo hoo).

Now I get to gripe at Raytel until they fix their billing errors, and I have to return their machine (can I hold it hostage until they get the old invoices straight?).

 

[catwoman]

What a timely post!

I guess I'm gonna have to take back the lancets I just picked up at Walgreens this morning!

Sorry -- you can't return them. Anything that has to do with blood products can't be returned, according to the pharmacists at Walgreen's and Walmart.
Even if you haven't opened the box.
Bummer......
Why don't you try one of the 26 gauge lancets to see if it will work?

 

[catwoman]

Laurie:

I paid about $650 for my INRatio, after being reimbursed by Aetna.

I tried to pull up the page you had a link to, so I could get my PCP to fill out a form so I could order test strips, but it would not come up.

 

[Roger Frank]

Laurie:

I paid about $650 for my INRatio, after being reimbursed by Aetna.

I tried to pull up the page you had a link to, so I could get my PCP to fill out a form so I could order test strips, but it would not come up.

Speaking of strips...any suggestion on the best place to buy the INRatio? I've called all the pharmacy's in my area and one would think I'm asking for a DeLorean equipped with a flux capacitor!

 

[catwoman]

If you're calling pharmacies, you are asking for a DeLorean!

Medical equipment supply vendors carry the INRatio. But not all DME vendors carry PT/INR machines.
Best to go to Hemosense's website (probably www.hemosense.com) and find distributors.
QAS is one, so is Raytel. There are others out there, too.

 

[Roger Frank]

If you're calling pharmacies, you are asking for a DeLorean!

Medical equipment supply vendors carry the INRatio. But not all DME vendors carry PT/INR machines.
Best to go to Hemosense's website (probably www.hemosense.com) and find distributors.
QAS is one, so is Raytel. There are others out there, too.

Thank you for the help!

 

[Ross]

Thank you for the help!

http://www.hemosense.com/distrib/distrib_usa_pro.shtml

 

[AgilityDog]

I got my INRatio and strips at Claflin Equipment:
http://www.claflinequip.com/

 

[catwoman]

Laurie:

I will PM you about this website.