# How to load a cartridge pen - facts

Canonical page: https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen
Type: Lab article

## TL;DR

How to load a peptide pen: unscrew the holder, insert a 3 ml glass cartridge crimped end first, reattach until it clicks, then prime to clear the air gap.

## Facts Index

| Fact ID | Category | Entity | Attribute | Value | Source | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:title | identity | How to load a cartridge pen | title | How to load a cartridge pen | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:published | identity | How to load a cartridge pen | published | 2026-07-07 | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:last-reviewed | identity | How to load a cartridge pen | last reviewed | 2026-10-03 | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:author | identity | How to load a cartridge pen | author | Preppin' Peppers Editorial Team | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:topics | identity | How to load a cartridge pen | topics | Evergreen, guide, Guides, how-to, pen | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:summary | content | How to load a cartridge pen | summary | How to load a peptide pen: unscrew the holder, insert a 3 ml glass cartridge crimped end first, reattach until it clicks, then prime to clear the air gap. | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:section-1 | content | How to load a cartridge pen | section | What it is | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:section-2 | content | How to load a cartridge pen | section | 1. Open the pen | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:section-3 | content | How to load a cartridge pen | section | 2. Seat the cartridge | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:section-4 | content | How to load a cartridge pen | section | The needle interface | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:section-5 | content | How to load a cartridge pen | section | Clearing the air gap | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:section-6 | content | How to load a cartridge pen | section | 3. Set your amount | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:section-7 | content | How to load a cartridge pen | section | After use | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:section-9 | content | How to load a cartridge pen | section | What the research community gets wrong about loading a cartridge pen | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:product-gansulin-metal-peptide-pen | products | How to load a cartridge pen | references product | Gansulin Pen · Reusable Click-Dial, 3 ml (1-60 Units) | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/products/gansulin-metal-peptide-pen |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:product-gansulin-3ml-cartridge | products | How to load a cartridge pen | references product | Gansulin-Compatible 3 ml Glass Cartridge for Pens (10-Pack) | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/products/gansulin-3ml-cartridge |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:product-portable-pen-carry-case-reusable-fits-3-ml-cartridge-pens | products | How to load a cartridge pen | references product | Portable Pen Carry Case (Reusable, Fits 3 ml Cartridge Pens) | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://www.preppinpeppers.com/products/portable-pen-carry-case-reusable-fits-3-ml-cartridge-pens |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:source-pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov | source | How to load a cartridge pen | cites | Sparre et al., Factors Affecting Performance of Insulin Pen Injector Technology: A Narrative Review, J Diabetes Sci Technol (2023) - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10012375/ |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:source-pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov-2 | source | How to load a cartridge pen | cites | Dosing Accuracy of Two Disposable Insulin Pens According to New ISO 11608-1:2012 Requirements, J Diabetes Sci Technol - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4738205/ |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:source-pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov-3 | source | How to load a cartridge pen | cites | Comparison of the Dose Accuracy of Prefilled Insulin Pens, J Diabetes Sci Technol (2009) - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2769835/ |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:source-pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov | source | How to load a cartridge pen | cites | Bohannon, Postgrad Med 1999: Insulin delivery using pen devices. Simple-to-use tools may help young and old alike - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10560468/ |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:source-pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov-4 | source | How to load a cartridge pen | cites | Jonker et al., Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2021: First pre-filled pen device with highly purified human menopausal gonadotropin (HP-hMG, Menopur) in liquid is shown to be bioequivalent to powder for reconstitution - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8594316/ |
| how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen:source-pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov-5 | source | How to load a cartridge pen | cites | Lingen et al., Endocr Connect 2023: Advantages and disadvantages of connected insulin pens in diabetes management - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov | Lab article (https://www.preppinpeppers.com/blogs/the-lab/how-to-load-and-prime-a-peptide-pen) | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10563601/ |

## FAQ

### Which end of the cartridge goes in first when loading a pen?

Insert the crimped end (the sealed metal cap) first so it sits flush against the inside of the cartridge holder before screwing the holder back onto the pen body.

### How do you clear the air gap after loading a cartridge pen?

Hold the pen upright, dial a small amount, and tap the holder to move the bubble upward; then press the plunger to push the air out, ensuring the dial accurately reflects mechanism movement.

### How many units does the Gansulin metal pen dial, and how do you read the dose?

The Gansulin metal pen dials 1–60 units; each click equals one unit, and the selected amount appears in the small window on the pen body.

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