Reusing Injectible MTX Vials-yes or no? | Arthritis Information

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So frustrated.  Had my rx filled.  Got 2 vials of 2 mL each.  Said quantity: 4 on the outside.

 
Went to RD for nurse to show me how to inject.  A nurse I really like.  She saw the type of vial, with a rubber top that you puncture with the needle, and made a point of saying, you should keep the extra just in case, but do not reuse this vial.  I knew I only had 2 so I asked her to clarify, and she said don't use it again (even though 1.2 mL left).  But keep it around just in case.
 
So I'm out after 2 weeks and call the RD confused.  Nurse says, "they only gave you two?" They call the pharmacist (at CVS).  RD calls back, tells me to talk to pharmacist (nurse had a conversation with her I guess).  Pharmacist says she has never heard that you can't reuse, and will check and call back.
 
She calls back, says she can't find anything that says you can't reuse.  She also says that the nurse she talked to told her they always tell patients they can reuse.  That it's fine with the ones with the rubber tops.  Then she also says, oh yeah I took the top off of one to look at it, can I write your name on it and give it to you when you refill.  I was in such a hurry to get off the phone (at work) and so frustrated that I said yes but now I'm thinking I'll definitely say no and refuse that one. 
 
So I kept the vials but wasn't particularly careful with them in terms of not touching the top etc. after I had used one dose out of each.
 
I wouldn't be so paranoid if I wasn't injecting the stuff!
 
I am going to call my nurse tomorrow. I really like her and she's not new, so I'm wondering what in the world is going on with such a mix up.
 
What do others do?  Thanks!!!
By reuse I'm assuming you mean fill another syringe with what's left.  Absolutely you can do that.  I am expected to do that to get my full amount of the three month supply.  A huge amount would be wasted otherwise.  My vials have a blue plastic cap that I take off.  I then would wipe the rubber top with alcohol each time I inserted a syringe.  At first I just did one each week, but now I fill three syringes at a time and that way I only have to wipe the top that first time.  That's probably safer than leaving the punctured vial open and using it again over three weeks.  Since you weren't careful about cleaning the top this first time, I'd ask your pharmacist if you should throw that vial away. 
 
Good luck.  I know some of this whole process is confusing at first.  You'll get the hang of it.  I did with the expert help of the veterans here.
Yep, that's what I mean.  Thanks for responding!
 
I was just so confused b/c the nurse was so specific about not using the remaning medicine.  I figured, okay, b/c I didn't think it would be an insurance issue.  And then when I called, she responded the same way.  Maybe she meant don't use the remaining .2 mL? Surely. 
 
This is so confusing at first!  So you just get the syringes ready, then where/how do you store them?  I have kids & cats around so I don't know.
 
I did clean the top of each well with the alcohol before putting the needle in, so I guess it should all be clean?  And it says it has an anti-cyto-something agent/preservative.
 
Anyway, I am totally not cut out to be a nurse!  I was so proud of myself when I got the needle in.  It didn't hurt at all (and I didn't make myself bleed-which the nurse had) but I had one try where i just barely punctured the skin and didn't push hard enough.  That's the hardest part! 
Now i feel kind of dumb.  I bet she was just talking about the extra .2, because it's 2.0 total, and I need 1.8 for 2 doses.  I guess I could save up 4 .2's for an extra dose but that would seem very unsanitary to put the needle in 4 different containers. 
 
But she was also nonchalant about cleaning the top, like you don't have to worry, it will have had the plastic lid on it, so you just have to clean it once then don't worry because you won't use this again.
 
Oh well.  Whatever.  But I'm not taking the one that the pharmacist already opened!
No I'm REALLY dumb.  I need 1.6 for 2 doses.  So .4 left.  So really I sort of have 5 doses. But insurance only considers it 4.  Whatever, I need to go to sleep!!LOL!  I hear ya.  Add the fact that different RDs, nurses and pharmacists will tell you different things and that just adds to our confusion.  But it sounds like you're finding your way OK.  Keep on keepin on!
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