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Frequently Asked Questions about Priming
1. Why is it important to prime before every injection?
If you do NOT prime, you may get the wrong insulin dose. Priming helps to ensure
that the pen and needle are working properly. Once the pen is properly primed, insulin
will flow from the needle. You may need to prime several times before you see insulin
at the tip of the needle.
2. Why can it take several attempts to prime when a new cartridge is inserted?
There may be a gap between the screw and the cartridge plunger. Repeating the
priming steps will move the screw out to touch the cartridge plunger. Once the end of
the screw pushes the cartridge plunger out, insulin will flow from the needle.
Before Priming After Priming
*Cartridge
Plunger
Gap Screw No Gap Between Screw and Cartridge Plunger
.*The colour of your Cartridge Plunger may differ.
- Repeat the priming steps until insulin is seen at the tip of the needle.
- If you are still unable to see insulin flow from the needle, go to Question 3.
3. Why should I prime until I see insulin at the tip of the needle?
Priming moves the screw into contact with the cartridge plunger and gets the air out of
the cartridge.
- You may see insulin on the tip of the needle when you first attach it. This only
shows that the needle is attached and not clogged. You must still prime the pen.
- You may also see no insulin at all when you are priming the pen. This may be
because the screw is moving forward to close a gap between the screw and the
cartridge plunger.
- Insulin will flow only when the pen is properly primed.
- If the injection button is hard to push, the needle may be clogged. Attach a new
needle. Repeat the priming steps until insulin is seen at the tip of the needle.
If you are still unable to see insulin flow from the needle, do NOT use the pen.
Contact your healthcare professional or Lilly at 1-888-545-5972 for assistance or to
obtain a replacement.
4. What should I do if I have an air bubble in the cartridge?
Priming your pen will remove air bubbles. Point the pen up, and tap the cartridge
gently with your finger so any air bubbles can collect near the top. Repeat the priming
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