Insulin is a hormone responsible for bringing glucose to the cells, providing the body with energy.
People withdiabetes need insulin to control their blood sugarwhen they do not make any or don’t make enough.
There are many types of insulin pens.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Some contain different features, while others are allocated for specific insulin types.
Insulin pens vary in price, pop in of insulin, and dosing.
Some pens are able to deliver half-unit increments, while others deliver insulin in one- or two-unit increments.
The lower-dosing pens are often suitable for children withtype 1 diabeteswho receive smaller doses of insulin.
Certain pens can deliver larger doses of insulin in one injection.
Insulin pens can be disposable or reusable.
Disposable
Disposable insulin pens are prefilled with insulin.
The entire pen is discarded once they are finished.
Upon opening, these pens usually last 28 to 32 days.
Be sure to read the package insert for exact directions.
Once the cartridge is thrown away, a new one is inserted to take its place.
There are various types of pen needles, which range in length and thickness.
better to change your needle after each injection.
This helps to prevent infection and can reduce pain at the injection site.
Needles that are used repeatedly can dull, which can increase pain and potentially reduce the dose accuracy.
All used needles should be thrown away in a sharps container.
Length
Insulin pen needles range in length from 4 millimeters (mm) to 12.7 mm.
The lower the number of millimeters, the shorter the needle.
Because they can’t reach muscle tissue, they are likely to be less painful.
It was once thought that people who had larger bodies should use longer needles.
Longer needles have lower gauges, which means a bigger diameter.
“The larger diameter of the needle can reduce injection pain.
Longer needles will require pinching of the skin to get an accurate dose.
Thickness
Needles range in thickness from 29 to 32 gauge in diameter.
The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle.
For example, a 29-gauge needle would be thicker than a 32-gauge needle.
Most of the longer needles are thicker.
The thinnest and shortest, 4mm, 32 gauge, is compared to two strands of hair.
Always be sure to ask your provider if the pen needle’s length and thickness is right for you.
You shouldn’t be in pain when giving yourself injections.
If you are experiencing pain with injections, you’d benefit from diabetes self-management education or re-education.
Rotating injection sites will reduce the risk oflipohypertrophy (lumps of fat forming underneath the skin).
Is An Insulin Pen Right for Me?
Some insulin pens are disposable, while others are reusable.
Smart insulin pens have more capabilities than traditional insulin pens.
All insulin pens require attachable needles to deliver insulin doses.Needle sizesrange in length and thickness.
Insulin pens can increase dose accuracy, are portable, and are generally easy to use.
There are many options to choose from.
Discuss your options with your doctor to find out if an insulin pen is the right option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are all different types of insulins that are available in insulin pens.
Fast-acting insulin, long-acting insulin, and insulin mixtures are all available in insulin pens.
Insulin pens should be refrigerated when they have never been used.
Insulin is prescribed to people with diabetes to help control blood sugars.
Taking too much insulin can result in hypoglycemia, which needs to be treated right away.
Other side effects can include pain at the injection site, lipohypertrophy, and weight gain.
Insulin levels can be checked with a blood test.
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2019;32(4):378-384. doi:10.2337/ds18-0069
American Diabetes Association.Devices and technology: insulin pens.
