Nearly 24 million people have diabetes, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). Managing diabetes requires making lifestyle changes and administering necessary treatments consistently. One treatment for diabetes is insulin injections. In the past, diabetes patients were required to administer injections with a syringe and vial of insulin. This process was often time-consuming and made it difficult to dispose of used needles in a safe way. Recent developments have produced the insulin pen, an alternative for quickly administering the treatment.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor about whether the insulin pen is an appropriate method of treatment for you. Ask him to provide an overview of what steps should be taken to administer it properly and what lifestyle changes, if any, you should implement to ensure that the administration of the pen is effective.
Step 2
Identify sources of support (i.e. your doctor, a nurse in your doctor's office, pharmacist or other insulin pen user) for questions or issues that may come up. You should know what your resources are in advance so that if you encounter an issue with the pen or dosage or have an undesirable reaction, you can get help immediately.
Step 3
Read the specific instructions for your brand of insulin pen. Various brands generally operate similarly. Wash your hands with soap and water as well as the area where you intend to inject the insulin. Some people use an alcohol swab to cleanse the area. Remove the pen from its packaging (if you are using a disposable pen) or screw on a new needle (if you are using a reusable pen).
Step 4
Dial in the appropriate dosage by turning the dial on the pen. Look at the amount of insulin that is in the actual medication cavity to ensure that the pen contains the correct amount of insulin. Tap the side of the pen gently to remove air bubbles.
Step 5
Pinch a section of skin where you intend to inject. Gently insert the needle under the skin and press the button at the end of the pen. Count to five, release the skin and pull the pen out. If necessary, clean the injection site with an alcohol pad or a cotton ball lightly saturated with isopropyl alcohol. Dispose of the pen (if disposable) or the needle tip (if reusable) by placing it into a Sharps container or approved disposal container.
Step 6
Monitor information on advances in insulin treatment or publications from your pen's manufacturer to stay informed on potential changes or defects. Should you find derogatory information, inform your doctor immediately.
Tips and Warnings
- To avoid tissue scarring or soreness, rotate your injection sites. Store insulin and insulin pens, according to manufacturer recommendations, to prevent infection or improper dosage.
Things You'll Need
- Soap and water
- Alcohol swab (optional)
- Insulin pen and needle tip
- Insulin supply
- Sharps container or approved disposal container
