Insulin Pens & Needles

World Of Insulin Pens & Needles

If you take insulin, you want the least painful and easiest way to take it. Right? The way has dramatically changed since the days of glass syringes and sterilized dull needles. Today insulin pens make it easier than ever to inject on-the-go and needles, for pens and syringes, have never been shorter or thinner.

The Pen Option
Actually, insulin pens aren't new, they've been around a few years. Pens have generally been used by people who take 2 shots a day or more and seek flexibility and convenience. Insulin pens are the size of a large fountain pen. Prior to 1999, only reusable pens were available. For reusable pens, you buy insulin in cartridges instead of vials. Now available are disposable pens, each containing 300 units of insulin. Pens are simple to use-dial a dose, insert the needle, push the button to inject insulin, and hold. Done!

Instead of syringes and vials, you buy pen needles and disposable pens or insulin cartridges.

Is an insulin pen for you? The answer is yes if you:

vary how much insulin you take based on what you eat
want and need the flexibility and convenience of carrying your insulin with you
want a quick, easy, and accurate insulin dose
don't mind taking extra shots (note: you can't mix two types of insulin in one pen)
have problems drawing up a dose of insulin due to poor eyesight or shaky hands
and/or your health care plan is willing to spend a little more for your insulin (insulin pen vials and disposable pens cost a bit more than insulin vials)

Discuss switching to a pen with your doctor or diabetes educator. If the pen is for you, learn your options, proper use of the pen and pen needles, and proper insulin storage.

Needle Decisions
When you buy either insulin syringes or pen needles, you've got two decisions-the needle length and gauge.

Needle length:

Two needle lengths are available for syringes and pens-5/16" (short), 1/2" (long). Most people can use the 5/16" needle. Start with this length. If your blood glucose cannot be controlled and you are overweight, use might need the longer 1/2" needle to improve the absorption of insulin. Ask your health care provider which length is best for you.

Needle Gauge:

Needles are made in four common gauges-28, 29, 30, and 31. That's the diameter of the needle, or width. The higher the number, the thinner the gauge. Different companies make needles in different gauges. The thinnest insulin syringe is 30 gauge, the thinnest pen needle is 31 gauge.

Note: You'll find that syringes and pen needles don't come in every length and gauge. Common sizes for syringes are 30 gauge with a short needle and 29 gauge with a long needle. Common pen sizes are 31 gauge with a short needle and 29 gauge with a long needle.

Syringe size:

When you buy insulin syringes, there's one more decision - the size. There are three sizes- 3/10cc (holds 30 units), 1/2cc (holds 50 units), and 1cc (holds 100 units).

If you take:

less than 30 units total at one time, use a 3/10 cc syringe
between 30 and 50 units total at one time, use a 1/2 cc syringe
between 50 and 100 units total at one time, use a 1 cc syringe

Note: on the 3/10 and 1/2cc syringes, each line equals one unit of insulin. On the 1cc syringe, each line equals two units.

Information above from Hope S. Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE

Note: Syringes can be used more than once. Put the cap back on, being careful not to touch the needle. Move the plunger up and down after each use; this helps to prevent needle clogs. Remember, needles will get dull with use. Also, never share used needles with other people.