Written By: Pavitra Sampath | Updated : May 21, 2014 12:47 PM IST
If you or your family member has just been diagnosed with diabetes you have probably heard of insulin pens. The thought of having to inject yourself every day or every few hours must be frightening, but the good news here is that you need not go to the doctor every time you need a dose of insulin. So how does it work? We spoke to Dr. Shalini Jaggi, Diabetologist, Delhi based Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute about insulin pens, how you should use it and what precautions one should take while using the pen.
What is an insulin pen?
Insulin pens are for diabetes patients to inject insulin in an almost painless manner. Introduced and marketed as Novopen, a Danish company Novo Nordisk in 1985, they are portable and discreet, and are not as time consuming as using syringes to inject insulin.
How is an insulin pen used?
Insulin pens are accurate and convenient for people with diabetes, whether one is at home or on the go. To use it safely, one should prepare the pen properly by removing the cover and rolling it between the palms for 15 seconds. Afterwards, one is required to remove the paper tabs and the needle covers to get the needle ready. One must remember to prime the insulin pen by letting a drop of insulin out of the needle before injecting. Once the pen is ready, choose an injection site which should preferably be near the abdomen. The next step is to quickly insert the needle at a 90-degree angle and leave the needle in the injected area to help prevent insulin from leaking out of the injection spot. Once done, the needle must be pulled out straight from the skin. One might notice a small drop of blood or bruise on the skin afterwards, this is normal.
Who should one use it?
Insulin pens can be used by people with both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Type 1 diabetics usually start with two dosages of insulin per day and generally progress to three or four whereas in people with type 2 diabetes, they may simply need one insulin dosage per day without the use of any anti diabetes pills. (Read: Diabetes Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and complications)
How often should it be used?
There are three common regimes for taking insulin injections and pens. Diabetics can either take the insulin doses twice daily, three times a day or even multiple doses daily. However, the regimen needed and the doses required depend upon a doctor's prescription, since the exact combination of the injection differs from patient to patient. (Read: Treatments for diabetes: Oral medications, insulin and other methods)
What infection control measures should they take?
A diabetes patient must ensure that their insulin pens (containing multiple doses of insulin) are used only by them, and must not be shared even when the needle is changed. The pen must be clearly labeled with their name. If an insulin pen is shared between people the chances of them contracting a blood borne infection are high. In order to avoid this complication a diabetic who has shared an insulin pen should get himself/ herself tested for blood borne infections.
Other precautions include cleaning the area well before injecting oneself and after. If the pricking site does not heal quickly or the bruising remains for an unusual amount of time, do remember to visit your doctor at the earliest.
What should they avoid before and after taking the injection?
There are otherwise minimum restrictions when it comes to using an insulin pen. The only thing a person should remember is to avoid taking a hot bath 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after using the insulin pen in order to avoid low BP.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
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