Duration of use of insulin injection pens

If you are using rapid-acting (mealtime) insulin, inject it within 15 minutes before your meal. It is best to inject right before you start eating. This helps prevent hypoglycaemia.

Most mealtime insulin works for 4 hours. Mealtime insulin should not be injected more often than every 4 hours unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so. For example, if you eat breakfast at 8 a.m., do not inject your next dose of mealtime insulin at or before 12 noon. Two doses injected too close together can cause hypoglycaemia, which is dangerous.

If you are using long-acting insulin, inject it at the same time every day. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions.

How to use the insulin injection pen

1. Always test your blood sugar before using the insulin pen. Please remember to clean your hands with soap and warm water. At this point, you will need to wet your hands and apply soap. Rub your hands well for 15 to 20 seconds and then rinse them off. Dry your hands with a paper towel and turn off the tap with the same paper towel.

2. Knowing your blood glucose level lets you know if it is safe to take insulin and what dose you need. Your health care provider will teach you to take care of things. They will also tell you how long you can use your insulin pen after you put the needle in it for the first time. Follow their instructions.

3. Check the labels on your insulin pens to make sure you are using the right insulin pen at the right time. For example, if you are eating, make sure you are using a fast-acting insulin pen.

Prepare the supplies

Once you know which insulin to use and the dose, place the supplies on a clean, flat surface.

You will need:

1. insulin pen.

2. 1 new, unused insulin pen needle.

3.2 alcohol wipes.

4. 1 clean paper towel.

5. household sharps container.

6.1 rubbish bin.

Preparing for pre-injection

1. Remove the cap from the insulin pen and place the cap on the table.

2. Some types of insulin are clear. Other types of insulin are cloudy.

Clear insulin: If your insulin is supposed to be clear, check to make sure it is completely clear. If it is discoloured or cloudy, do not use it. Discard and use a new insulin pen. Cloudy Insulin: If your insulin should be cloudy, gently roll the pen between your hands 10 times to mix the insulin. Then, gently shake the insulin pen up and down 10 times. The insulin should be a homogeneous white mist in which no lumps or fragments are floating. If there are, continue mixing until there are none.

3. Open the alcohol wipes and clean the rubber seal at the top of the insulin pen. Then dispose of the alcohol wipes in the rubbish bin.

4. Remove the protective label from the new insulin needle and discard the label.

5. Twist the insulin needle onto the top of the insulin pen until it can no longer be rotated. Make sure the insulin needle stays straight when you tighten it.

6. After inserting the needle into the pen, remove the outer cap of the needle and set it aside on a table.

7. Remove the inner cap of the needle and discard it.

Perform safety tests (pre-filled insulin pens)

Pre-filling the insulin pen ensures that the insulin pen and needle work properly. It also helps to make sure the needle is filled with insulin so you get your full dose. It is important to perform safety tests before each insulin injection.

1. Hold the insulin pen to make sure you can read the name of the insulin. Look at the dose window. Turn the dose selector forward to 2 units. The arrows in the dose window should line up exactly with the number you need. If you rotate it too much, you can turn it back. If you have dialled more than 2 units, turn the dose selector back to 2 units.

2. Hold the insulin pen so that the needle is facing up.

3. Press the injection button firmly on the table or with your thumb. Watch for insulin droplets to flow out of the needle tip. If no insulin flows out, dial up to 2 units again. Press the injection button a second time. If insulin still does not flow out, turn the dose selector again to 2 units. Press the injection button a third time. If insulin still does not flow out, put the outer cap back on the needle. Unscrew the needle from the insulin pen and place it in the sharps container. Attach a new needle to the insulin pen and repeat the steps for pre-filling the insulin pen.

Setting the insulin dose

1. After prefilling the insulin pen with medication, the dose selector should zero out. If it does not return to zero, rotate the dose selector backwards until it shows zero.

2. Rotate the insulin pen to your dose. Make sure the arrows are exactly in line with the injected dose. If you are unable to dial in the desired number of units, the insulin pen may be almost empty. Discard it and take out a new insulin pen so you can inject the full dose at once. Never inject less than the full dose or split it into 2 injections.

Selection of injection site

Once the insulin pen is ready, select the injection site. Do not inject insulin into a location where it was last used, or near a cut, scar, or stretch mark.

Each injection should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) from the last injection site. This can help avoid pain and scar tissue. Following a pattern of injections helps you remember to rotate injection sites.

For example:

- You may inject fast-acting (short-acting) insulin into your abdomen at least 2 inches from your belly button.

- You can inject long-acting insulin into the upper outer thigh. Avoid injecting insulin into the front of the legs or into the muscles.

- If these areas are not available, you may ask someone else to inject into the back of your upper arm for you. Do not try to inject into the back of your arm by yourself. It is difficult to reach the correct area.

Using either of these sites will ensure that the insulin goes into the subcutaneous tissue, not the muscle.

Dose of insulin injection

After selecting the injection site, gently wipe the skin with an alcohol wipe. If you need to inject insulin:

1. Hold the insulin pen and press the injection button with your thumb. Be careful not to press the injection button before inserting the needle into the skin.

2. Gently pinch the skin at the injection site. Push the entire needle smoothly and quickly into your skin. Make sure the needle is at a 90-degree angle (straight up and down), not at an angle. Press gently so that you see a small indentation in the skin around the tip of the insulin pen.

3. Move your thumb to the top of the insulin pen. Hold the insulin pen and press the injection button firmly. Be careful not to press the pen hard into your body.

4. After counting to 10, pull the needle straight out of the skin. If you see drops of blood at the injection site, gently press the area with your finger or a tissue. Do not rub the injection site after the injection. Doing so may cause the insulin to work too quickly.

After injection

1. Please put the outer cap of the larger needle back on the needle. Unscrew the needle from the insulin pen and place it in the sharps container. Then, put the cap back on the insulin pen.

2. Store insulin pens at room temperature (below 86°F or 30°C). Avoid excessive heat or cold and direct sunlight.

The information is from the Internet and is for reference only.