Many people who have diabetes require insulin in order to manage their blood sugar levels. Most insulin-dependent diabetics in the United States use a syringe or insulin pump to get the insulin they need. In Europe and Asia, however, the majority of insulin-dependent diabetics inject their insulin using an insulin pen.

A New Technology

An insulin pen is an automated syringe that stores insulin and uses a needle to inject the proper amount of insulin into the user. Compared to a syringe, pens are easy to use. They also decrease your risk for dosing errors. In addition, pens can be used much more discretely than syringes. Using a syringe to inject insulin typically requires a surface to place your supplies on, several minutes of preparation, and the use of both hands to do the actual injection. Pens are simpler, quicker and don't require a work surface.

Design

Insulin pens are made up of an insulin cartridge and a dial that is used to select a dosage level. Some models have a prefilled insulin cartridge built into the pen. Once the insulin is used up, the pen is thrown away. Other models require you to purchase a separate insulin cartridge and insert it into the pen. When the insulin is gone, you simply replace the cartridge with a new one. Specially designed disposable needles are used with the device to deliver the medication.

Proper Usage

To properly administer insulin, follow the instructions given to you by your health care provider. Most insulin pens require you to first attach a new disposable needle according to the manufacturer's directions. Allow a tiny amount of insulin to flow through the needle to remove the air from it. Carefully turn the dial on the pen to the number of units your doctor has prescribed. You will then insert the needle into an approved injection site. Once you've done this, press the button on the end of the pen, waiting for a count of five before removing the needle. This last step differs from traditional injection methods because there is a danger that some of the insulin will leak from the injection site if you remove the needle too quickly after the injection.

Additional Advantages

In addition to the advantages mentioned above, insulin pens offer other important advantages over traditional syringes. For example, they are easier to carry around with you than a kit containing a syringe and a vial of insulin. Pens can measure much more precise doses than the human eye and hand can manage. Also, syringes are inappropriate for many people who have vision problems or motor skill impairments, but these people can often manage an insulin pen. Pens also deliver injections that are less painful because the needles are not dulled and scratched by being inserted into a vial membrane before they enter the skin.

Disadvantages

Some insurance companies in the United States have been slow to begin covering insulin pens. This means that people without coverage or whose plans don't cover their supplies, will find that pens and cartridges are more expensive than vials and syringes. In addition, pens don't allow you to combine different types of insulin in one injection, so if you combine different forms of insulin, you must continue to use a syringe.

If you'd like more information about insulin pens, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you choose the treatment method that best suits your insulin needs and lifestyle.