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Categories: Additional article for Therapies
Additional article for Therapies |
On this site you will mostly read Experience Reports.

Tips for insulin injection with a pen

For many years, almost for decades, insulin injections with a pen have been among the most common therapies for insulin-dependent diabetics. But even this injection – although rather easy – causes problems.
  • Do not use the pen needles too often: it is true that the manufacturers guarantee that the needles are sterile disposable products but we would not go that far. Especially for type 1- diabetics who have to inject often – several injections with the same needle are possible but you should change the needle regularly since otherwise it might cause injuries and bleedings on the prick spot which increase the risk of infection. Furthermore, even the smallest injuries of the lower skin’s fatty tissue lead to indurations.
  • If the injections are painful, the reason is either that you used the needle too often or that you generally use needles which are too long.
  • If the insulin flows back out of the prick canal, the pen needles are too short. You should use longer pen needles.
  • If the insulin has an insufficient effect, the trouble does not necessarily lie in the pen. If it does, the needle might have been removed too fast after the injection (especially when great amounts of insulin were injected) or the spot was not suitable ( indurations of tissue, scar tissue…).
  • If the dose button is difficult to operate either the pen needle is blocked (above all the case with diabetics who inject seldom) the ampoule’s rubber membrane has not been pierced(put a new needle on – the previous one was blunt from the inside) or the pen needle was loose.
  • If you delay- or mixed insulin is cloudy, wave the pen at least 10 to 20 times so that the insulin mixes properly.
  • If you are unsure whether the pen works, set one unit and hose it down in order to make sure it does work.
  • If there are high temperature variations, air can get through the unscrewed needle into the cartridge. That is why you should check the cartridge regularly.
  • If air got into the cartridge, you should hold the pen with the needle upwards and tap it (the air will accumulate underneath the needle), then push the dose button until insulin comes out of the needle.
  • You have to change the spot for the injection each time so that the prick spot can recover. Apart from the belly, the sides of your thighs and your upper arms are suitable spots. Here, you should pay attention to the different effects of the spots. The thighs, for example, are particularly suitable for long-term insulin. You should talk this over with your physician.
  • Just like every other hormone, insulin is affected by frost and powerful sunlight. Try to avoid these. If you noticed any other problems with your pen, contact us via e-mnail, we would like to check up on your comments and complete this list.

Translated by Katrin Osterbart
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