It is important to safely administer insulin in the most convenient way. This helps ensure that you get your doses on time and that the amount of insulin you take is within the prescribed range. Insulin must be given by injection, but you have several options and one of them is insulin pen needles. These needles work with a device that looks and works much like a pen. Some people find them easier to use than a traditional needle and syringe for injecting insulin.
WHAT IS AN INSULIN NEEDLE?
Pen needles are becoming a more popular way to administer insulin. For some people, this method of insulin delivery is easier compared to having to draw insulin and use a normal needle and syringe to inject the medicine. These needles connect to a pen that holds the insulin. The needles themselves are hollow, allowing insulin to pass through them.
The needle is embedded in a plastic hub. The plastic part is what attaches to the pen. They can either snap into place or screw on depending on the pen needle and nib you are using. Once the needle is attached to the pen, you will follow the pen instructions to inject the insulin into your body.
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER AN INSULIN NEEDLE?
If you don't need to mix the insulin yourself, you can usually use a needle to inject the insulin. These devices are especially ideal for people who need to inject insulin several times a day. Some people find insulin pens less scary compared to a regular syringe and needle, making it easier to inject insulin as needed throughout the day. Here are other benefits of using an insulin pen needle:
• It is easier to carry a pen and needle with you when you need to inject insulin away from home
• These devices can be used to administer most types of insulin
• Dosing is more accurate, resulting in less wasted insulin
• You won't have to draw your own insulin, allowing for better control over dosing
• You use the dial on the pen to determine your insulin dose
WHAT ARE PEN NEEDLE SIZES?
Insulin pen needles come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to choose the one that is most convenient for you. You must consider the thickness and length of the pen needle when determining the correct size. Millimeters are used to measure needle length. Lengths range from four to 12.7 millimeters, with four millimeters being the shortest needle available. Needle thickness is a gauge. The higher the number, the thinner the needle. For example, a needle that is 27 gauge is thicker than a needle that is 32 gauge.
DO YOU NEED TO FILL AN INSULIN PEN NEEDLE?
You must spray the pen before injecting insulin. This ensures that no air is injected with the insulin. When the pen is primed correctly, you will receive the correct dose of insulin. Air in the needle can cause you to get too much or too little medicine, which could negatively affect your blood sugar levels. You should follow the instructions supplied with the pen to ensure it is primed correctly and always prime the needle before each injection.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSULIN?
Your doctor may prescribe more than one type of insulin, depending on what controls your blood sugar the best. There are five types of injectable insulin. It's important to understand what it is so you know why your doctor prescribed a particular type of insulin. The five types of insulin that are administered include:
• Fast-acting: They peak in about 30 to 90 minutes, start working in less than 15 minutes, and have a total duration of about three to five hours.
• Medium-acting: They peak in about eight hours, start working in one to three hours, and have a total duration of about 12 to 16 hours.
• Regular: They peak in about two to four hours, start working in 30 to 60 minutes, and last three to five hours in total.
• Long-acting: They have little or no peak, start working in about one hour, and have a total duration of about 20 to 26 hours.
• Premix/combination: This is a combination of regular and intermediate insulin. The peak, onset time, and duration depend on the exact combination of insulins.
WHEN AND HOW DO YOU GIVE INSULIN WITH A PEN NEEDLE?
Insulin needles are used as prescribed by your doctor. Some people need to inject insulin more often than others. In most cases, you will check your blood sugar and this will determine the dose of insulin you need to inject. Your doctor will give you a chart and when your blood sugar is measured, he will tell you what dose you need to take at that glucose level.
For long-acting insulins, you can apply them according to a regular schedule. Your doctor will then give you short-acting insulin to help lower your blood sugar when it gets too high. No matter what type of insulin you inject, you use the same technique with the pen needle. If the needle is eight millimeters or longer, lift the skin before injecting the insulin. For needles that are six millimeters or shorter, you do not need to lift the skin.
Before injecting insulin, you should clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and wash your hands with soap and water. Make sure the needle is properly attached to the pen by following the instructions supplied with these items. Determine if you need a skin lift based on the length of the insulin pen needle you are using. Then, using a 90-degree angle, insert the needle into the skin and inject the insulin.
