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How is insulin applied?

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Good insulin administration technique is important for both patient safety and insulin efficacy.

Since insulin is inactivated by digestive enzymes, it cannot be used in tablets or capsules, so the route of insulin application is subcutaneous, that is, by applying it to a layer of fat under the skin with a syringe.7

There are body sites where it is advisable to apply insulin, within those sites are: the fat layer of the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks and the back of the arms.

If you become a candidate for insulin administration, you should be aware that there are three devices7 through which an application can be made.

SYRINGE

They are disposable syringes where the number of units of insulin prescribed by your doctor is loaded. These are still in use, however, the popularity of pens and insulin pumps is growing.

PENCIL

They bear this name because they are similar in size and shape to a writing pen. This pen contains insulin. The dose is adjustable according to the doctor’s indication.

Bomb

Electronic devices that pass insulin continuously. They are quite popular in those patients who must be administered several daily doses.

Technique for the application of insulin with syringe

Good insulin administration technique is important for both patient safety and insulin efficacy. You can follow the tips below7:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water. 2. Take the vial of insulin and check the labels correctly to make sure you use the right one, this in case you use more than one type of insulin. 3. Fill the syringe with an amount of air equal to the dose of insulin to be delivered. 4. Inject the air from the syringe into the vial with the insulin. 5. Draw off the number of units of insulin to be injected. 6. Clean the area where the insulin is to be given with an alcohol swab. 7. Pinch the area to be injected and give the insulin injection at a 90° angle. **If you have any questions, consult a health professional and follow their instructions**

Technique for the application of insulin with a pen

If you have an insulin pen device, follow these tips:7

1. Wash your hands with soap and water. 2. Take the pen and verify that it has the number of units of insulin to be administered marked on it. 3. Fill the syringe with an amount of air equal to the dose of insulin to be delivered. 4. Inject the air from the syringe into the vial with the insulin. **If you have any questions, consult a health professional and follow their instructions**

CC-10758 / OCT 2025

4. American Diabetes Association. (2019). American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from www.diabetes.org

6. Davies, M., D’Alessio, D., Fradkin, J., Kernan, W., Mathieu, C., Mingrone, G., . . . Buse, J. (2018). Management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes, 2018. A consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Diabetoligia, 2461-2498.

7. American Association of Diabetes Educators. (2019). AADE. Retrieved from https://www.diabeteseducator.org/docs/default-source/legacy-docs/_resources/pdf/general/Insulin_Injection_How_To_AADE.pdf

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