Insulin pen
is
like having an
old-fashioned cartridge pen in your pocket, instead of a writing
point, a needle, and for ink cartridge, an insulin
cartridge.
You just turn a dial to measure out your dose.
Insulin pen
types
While there
are a number of different brands and models available, most
insulin pens fall into one of two groups:
Reusable
insulin pen - Insulin pen with
disposable cartridge, needs to be replaced with newer cartridge when
empty.
Disposable
insulin pens - just throw away the
whole thing the pen itself when it's empty.
Reusable Insulin pen
For
reusable insulin pen, you must load it with a cartridge of insulin
(sold separately in boxes of five cartridges). Cartridges used today
hold 150 or 300 units of insulin. Depending on the size of your doses,
a cartridge may give you enough insulin to last for several days of
injections. When the cartridge is empty, you throw it away and load a
new cartridge. With good care, a reusable pen can often be used for
several years.
Disposable insulin pen
Disposable
insulin pen
comes pre filled with insulin and are thrown away when they are empty.
Most disposable pens used today hold 300 units of insulin and are sold
in boxes of five. Disposable pens are generally more convenient than
reusable pens because you do not need to load any cartridges, but they
usually cost more than reusable pens.
Choosing an Insulin Pen as per ones needs
The number
of units of insulin that the pen
holds when full.
The largest
size dose that can be injected with
the pen.
How
finely the dose can be adjusted by the pen. For example, one pen may
adjust dose in two-unit increments (2, 4, 6, etc.), another in one-unit
increments (1, 2, 3, etc.) and yet another in half-unit increments
(1/2, 1, 1 1/2).
The way the
pen indicates whether or not there
is enough insulin left in it for your entire dose.
The size of
the numbers on the pen dose dial
and whether they are magnified.
How to
correct a mistake if you dial the wrong
dose into the pen.
Insulin pen usage procedure
One significant advantage of diabetes pens is their ease of
use.
Screw on a
new needle
If
necessary, prime the pen to remove any air
from the needle
Turn the
knob on the end of the pen (or "dial")
to the number of units needed
Insert the
needle into the skin
Press the
button on the end of the pen to
deliver the dose
Count to
five & remove
Insulin pen with pre filled medication
Insulin
pens contain regular, NPH, insulin lispro, insulin aspart, insulin
glulisine, or 70/30 or 75/25 premixed insulin. It’s important to
double-check your prescriptions after receiving pre-filled cartridges
to make sure you got what you asked for. If you are using a pen with
NPH, 70/30, or 75/25, you’ll need to follow package instructions to
ensure the insulin is well mixed.
All information is intended for
your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice
or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt
medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician
before starting a new fitness regimen.
