Contour Next Test Strips 50s

Are Contour Next Test Strips Right for You?

Managing diabetes day to day means keeping a close eye on your blood glucose levels — and having reliable test strips makes all the difference. Contour Next test strips are designed for use with Contour Next blood glucose meters and deliver fast, accurate readings from a tiny blood sample. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, consistent self-monitoring helps you and your healthcare team make informed decisions about your diet, activity, and medication. The NHS recommends that people on insulin therapy in particular monitor their blood glucose regularly to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia. You can explore our full range of monitoring products in our diabetes monitoring collection.

Each pack contains 50 strips, giving you a practical supply for regular testing. At £18.99, it's a straightforward, cost-effective option for anyone who self-monitors at home. These strips are available without a prescription, so you can order them quickly and conveniently online.

How Do Contour Next Test Strips Work?

The strips use an electrochemical biosensor technology based on a glucose oxidase enzyme reaction. Here's what happens when you test:

• You apply a small drop of capillary blood (from a fingertip lance) to the edge of the strip.
• The strip draws the blood in automatically via capillary action — no smearing required.
• Glucose in the blood reacts with the glucose oxidase enzyme on the strip's electrode.
• This reaction generates an electrical current proportional to the glucose concentration.
• The Contour Next meter reads this current and converts it into a mmol/L blood glucose value, displayed within approximately 5 seconds.

The strips meet ISO 15197:2013 accuracy standards, meaning at least 95% of results must fall within 0.83 mmol/L or 15% of a laboratory reference value. That level of precision matters when you're making decisions about insulin doses or food intake.

Who Should Use Contour Next Test Strips?

These strips are suitable for adults and children who self-monitor blood glucose as part of their diabetes management plan. Your GP or diabetes nurse will usually advise whether regular home testing is appropriate for you. They are particularly useful for:

• People with type 1 diabetes who test multiple times daily.
• People with type 2 diabetes on insulin or certain oral medications such as sulphonylureas.
• Pregnant women with gestational diabetes who need frequent monitoring.
• Anyone whose diabetes team has recommended structured self-monitoring of blood glucose.

They are not suitable for use with non-Contour Next meters. Always confirm compatibility with your specific device before purchasing. If you're unsure whether self-monitoring is right for your situation, speak to your GP or diabetes specialist nurse.

How Do Contour Next Test Strips Compare to Alternatives?

How Should You Store Contour Next Test Strips?

Proper storage is essential to maintain accuracy. Keep the strips in their original container, tightly capped, at temperatures below 30°C. Avoid storing them in the bathroom or near a window — humidity and heat can degrade the enzyme coating and lead to inaccurate readings. Do not refrigerate them. Once the container is opened, use the strips within 6 months or before the printed expiry date, whichever comes first.

If you're building a broader diabetes care routine, it's worth considering other health essentials alongside your monitoring supplies. Our vitamins and supplements collection includes products that may support general wellbeing as part of a healthy lifestyle. Contour Next test strips are for in vitro diagnostic use only — they measure glucose in blood samples outside the body and are not implanted or ingested.

This product is a medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using if you have an underlying medical condition or are taking other medicines.

What Are Contour Next Test Strips and What Are They Used For?

Contour Next Test Strips 50s are single-use, in vitro diagnostic (IVD) test strips used alongside a compatible Contour Next blood glucose meter to measure the concentration of glucose in a capillary blood sample. They are used by people with diabetes — including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes — to monitor their blood glucose levels at home. Regular self-monitoring helps you understand how food, exercise, illness, and medication affect your glucose levels, and supports better management of your condition. The NHS advises that people with type 1 diabetes should test their blood glucose levels regularly, and that those on insulin should test before meals and before bed as a minimum.

These strips are not a treatment in themselves — they are a monitoring tool. They do not replace clinical blood tests carried out by your GP or diabetes team. If your readings are consistently outside your target range, contact your healthcare provider promptly.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using Contour Next Test Strips?

Before you begin using these strips, there are some important points to be aware of. Do not use the strips if:

• The expiry date printed on the container has passed.
• The container has been left open or exposed to moisture or extreme heat.
• The strips appear damaged, discoloured, or bent.
• You are using a meter that is not a compatible Contour Next model.
• You have not performed a quality control (QC) check as described in your meter's user guide.

Certain factors can affect the accuracy of your blood glucose readings. Be aware of the following:

• Very high levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in the blood may interfere with results.
• Severely low haematocrit (anaemia) or very high haematocrit (polycythaemia) can affect readings.
• Testing at altitudes above 3,048 metres may affect accuracy.
• Contamination of the fingertip with sugary substances (e.g. fruit juice) can cause falsely elevated readings — always wash and dry hands thoroughly before testing.
• Certain medications, including high-dose paracetamol, may affect results — check with your pharmacist if you are unsure.

How Should You Use Contour Next Test Strips?

Using the strips correctly ensures you get an accurate reading every time. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, then dry them completely.
2. Insert a fresh Contour Next test strip into your compatible Contour Next meter — the meter will switch on automatically.
3. Use a clean lancet to prick the side of your fingertip. Avoid the very tip, as this is more sensitive.
4. Gently squeeze your finger to produce a small, rounded drop of blood.
5. Touch the edge of the strip (not the top) to the blood drop — the strip will draw the sample in automatically.
6. Wait approximately 5 seconds for your result to appear on the meter screen in mmol/L.
7. Record your result in your diabetes diary or app, noting the time and any relevant context (e.g. before or after a meal).
8. Dispose of the used strip and lancet safely in a sharps bin.

Target ranges are individual — always follow the guidance given by your GP or diabetes specialist. If you're managing other aspects of your health alongside diabetes, our electrical health and diagnostic collection includes a range of monitoring devices that may complement your care routine.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Contour Next Test Strips?

As an in vitro diagnostic device, the strips themselves do not cause systemic side effects. However, the process of blood glucose testing does involve lancing the skin, which can occasionally cause minor issues.

Common effects associated with fingertip lancing:

• Mild soreness or tenderness at the lancing site.
• Small bruise or mark at the fingertip.
• Slight bleeding beyond the test drop if the lancet depth is set too deep.

Less common effects:

• Skin calluses on frequently used fingertips with repeated testing over time.
• Localised skin irritation or redness if you have a sensitivity to the strip materials.
• Infection at the lancing site if proper hygiene is not maintained — always use a fresh lancet for each test.

If you notice persistent skin changes, unusual pain, or signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge) at the testing site, speak to your GP or practice nurse. Rotate your testing sites regularly to reduce the risk of callus formation.

How Should You Store Contour Next Test Strips?

• Store in the original container with the cap tightly closed at all times.
• Keep at temperatures between 4°C and 30°C — do not refrigerate or freeze.
• Protect from direct sunlight, moisture, and humidity.
• Do not store in a bathroom cabinet or near a kitchen sink.
• Once opened, use within 6 months or before the expiry date printed on the container, whichever is sooner.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children.
• Do not use strips from a damaged or compromised container.

If you're looking for further support with your diabetes management, our diabetes monitoring collection includes meters, lancets, and other accessories to help you test safely and accurately at home.