Insulin Injections

This section provides information about what insulin is, how it works, and how it is administered to lower/maintain blood glucose of 4 - 8 mmol/litre.

1. differentiate the types and action of insulin
2. store your insulin safely
3. select and rotate injection sites by a finger space
4. inject insulin safely and confidently
5. plan your schedule effectively - injection insulin with meal and activities

Types of Insulin: Approximate effect/action *

Variation between and within patients may occur *depending upon injection site and technique, insulin dosage, diet and exercise.

Some insulins are available in penfill-catridges, and and may be more convenient, especially when travelling.

Advice for Patient on Insulin Injection

1.Try to have your injection at the same time each day

2.Eat 20 - 30 minutes after your injection (except for new insulin Lispro)

3.Throw away used needles and syringes in a used bottle with a screw cap

 Back to the top of the page

Storage of Insulin

1.Write the date on the bottle when you open it. An opened bottle of insulin will expire 2 months after it is opened and must be discarded at this time

2.Keep the opened bottle of insulin with syringes to be used again in a box

3.Never freeze insulin; keep it in the door of refridgerator. Penfill cartridges do not require refrigeration when they are in use. Do not leave insulin in the sun or unattended in your car.

Back to the top of the page

Injection Sites

1.It is important to rotate your injection sites because repeated injection at the same site causes fat to accumulate at that area. This results in poor absorption of the insulin when injected. It is also unsightly.

2.Shift each injection site by 1 finger space and do not inject bruised area.

3.The abdomen is preferred because it is easy to inject than the limbs, and

the absorption rate is constant.

4. Download the figure and use it to assist you with rotation of sites

 Back to the top of the page

Injecting Insulin

Before you inject, if you have pre-drawn your insulin in the syringe:

1.Take it out from the refrigerator half an hour before injection

2.If it is the milky insulin, you have to invert the bottle 2-3 times to dissolve the suspension

3.Clean the skin before, and after injecting press slightly with an alcohol swab

  Back to the top of the page