Managing Diabetes with Insulin: Types, How to Prepare, Use and Store

  It is important to ensure the correct dose of insulin is given and that the technique of administration is correct, since improper administration can lead to high (hyperglycaemia) and low glucose levels (hypoglycaemia).

Low blood glucose levels may happen when there is a mismatch of carbohydrate intake to insulin, during exercise, after alcohol intake, or in relation to other medical conditions.

1. Wash your hands and prepare these items.

2. Clean the tip of the pen with an alcohol swab and attach the needle.

3. Remove the outer needle shield but do not throw it away. 

Prime the pen by turning the dose knob to 2 units, holding the pen with needle plinting up, and pushing the dose knob in.

4. A drop of insulin should appear at the top of the needle.

5. Turn the dose knob to the number of units you need to inject. The dose indicator line should line up with your dose.

6. Following the injection, the used needle should be led towards the needle shield, which is then capped. Unscrew the needle with the meedle shield on.

7. Discard the used needles in a puncture resistant container.

4. Select and inspect the injection sites for any lumps or hardened areas, redness, swelling or scar tissues. Do not inject into these areas.

7. Gently lift a skinfold. Not everyone will need this step. Check with your healthcare provider.

8. Hold the insulin pen at a 90-degree angle perpendicular to the skin.

11. Discard the used insulin needle in a puncture-resistant sharps container and seal it before disposal.

At room temperature (max. approximately 25-30°C)

For Novorapid FlexPen and Penfill, Lantus Solostar, Novomix FlexPen, Apidra Solostar: Discard 4 weeks after opening

For Levemir FlexPen and Toujeo Solostar: Discar 6 weeks after opening

Once the pen is in use, it need noy be kept in a fridge.

Label each pen with a date on the sticker.

In the fridge at 2-8°C

Do not store insulin in the freezer!

Insulin should be removed from the fridge at least 30mins before injecting.

Always check the expiry date before using insulin.

Inject insulin into the fatty layer under your skin

• Insulin needs to be injected into thefatty layer beneath the skin and notinto the muscle below the fattylayer, as muscle absorbs insulin tooquickly.
• Insulin is absorbed quickest andmost consistently from the abdomen, followed by the arms, the thighs, and the buttocks.

• Rotate injection sites by moving 2 fingers' breadth along from yourlast injection site until you haveused an entire area.
• Move to a new injection area everyweek or two (see figure below).

 Areas to avoid

 Do not inject close to the navel, as insulin absorption will not be as consistent.

 Also do not inject close to moles, scars, or hardened areas.

 Do not inject in an area that will be exercised soon. Exercising increases blood flow, which causes insulin to be absorbed at a rate that is faster than usual.

 Best spots on your upper arm and thigh to inject insulin

 If you inject in the upper arm, use only the outer back area (where there is more fat) and use ashorter needle.

 If you inject in the thigh, use a shorter needle and avoid using the inner thighs.

1. Wash and dry your hands. Remove insulin vial from fridge 30 minutes (if brand new and unopened) before injection.

2. Roll the insulin bottle gently between your palms at least 10 times. This is particularly important if you are mixing insulin. Remember that premixed insulin is clody while short-acting or quick-acting insulin should be clear.

3. Clean the top of the insulin vial with an alcohol swab.

4. Draw the required amont of air (equal to the dosage of insuling required) into the syring by pulling the plunger down.

5. Inject the required amount of air into the insulin vial.

6. With the needle in the bottle, turn it upside down and withdraw the required amount of insulin into the syringe. Remove air bubles (if present) by flicking or tapping the syringe with your finger, expelling the bubbles.

3. Select and inspect the injection sites for any lumps or hardened areas, redness, swelling or scar tissue. Do not inject into these areas.

6. Gently lift a skinfold. Not everyone will need this step. Check with your healthcare provider.

7. Position the needle at a 90-degree angle, perpendicular to the skin, and gently advance the needle into the skin.

10. Discard the used insulin syringe in a punctureresistant sharps container and seal it before disposal.

At room temperature (max. Approximately 25-30C)

For insulatard vial: Discard 4 weeks after opening

For Mixtard vial: Discard 5 weeks after opening

For Actrapid vial: Discard 6 weeks after opening

Refer to manufacturer's guilde

Once the vial is in use, it need not be kept in a fridge.

Label each vial with a date on the sticker.

In the fridge at 2-8C

Do not store insulin in the freezer!

Insulin should be removed from the fridge at least 30mins before injecting.

Always check the expiry date before using the insulin.