Diabetes is a chronic disease that results in the glucose from food not being able to get into the body's cells, where it is needed for energy. Diabetics either do not produce enough of the hormone known as insulin or they produce insulin that is not effective at bringing glucose into the cells. Some people with diabetes may rely on daily injections of insulin to treat the disease. An insulin pen contains an insulin cartridge and a disposable needle. There are some distinct benefits to using it for injections.
Simple to Use
Teaching a diabetic to load a syringe with an exact dose of insulin and inject it correctly can be time-consuming and stressful. An insulin pen provides an easy-to-learn and -perform method of injecting insulin. The time it takes to master the technique is approximately five minutes.
Pre-Measured Insulin Doses
The syringe and needle method of injecting insulin requires the diabetic to draw up his own insulin doses, resulting in a significant margin of error. An insulin pen contains a pre-measured dose, and therefore ensures the diabetic is getting the correct dose of insulin, according to Drugs.com. This can be critical for diabetics who need multiple insulin injections every day. Most insulin pens have a large numerical display for easy reading. The number of miscalculated doses of insulin is drastically reduced, according to the "Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology."
Better Compliance
Insulin pens are almost foolproof, which leads to better compliance and fewer missed doses. Older diabetics with vision problems, arthritis or fine motor tremors in their hands typically find an insulin pen much easier to manage than a needle and syringe. Children with diabetes can also use the pens more easily.
Easily Portable
Insulin pens can be carried in a purse or a pocket. Many diabetics feel more comfortable and less conspicuous using an insulin pen in public to administer their medication, according to the "Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology."
Increased Comfort
The needle on an insulin pen is much smaller than the needle used with a syringe. The smaller needle makes it more comfortable and less painful for some diabetics to inject themselves, according to Drugs.com. It is also much easier for diabetics with a fear of needles to use an insulin pen.
Disposable
Insulin pens come in two types: disposable and non-disposable. People who do not want to be bothered holding onto the insulin pen can choose the disposable option and simply throw the pen away when the insulin is used up.
References
- eMedTV: Diabetes
- DOC News: "Anyone Have a Pen?"; Dr. James Chamberlain, MD; September 2007; Vol. 4; No. 9; 3
- Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology: "Insulin Pen---The "iPod" for Insulin Delivery (Why Pen Wins over Syringe)"; Ernest Asamoah, MD; March 2008; 2(2): 292--296
- Drugs.com: Pen Devices for Insulin Administration
