Every person with diabetes wants to use an insulin delivery method that reduces the patient’s burden by being accurate, precise, and less invasive. Choosing an insulin delivery method is dependent on what the patient prefers. Some patients handle syringes well, while others prefer the less invasive techniques like inhalers.
According to Tandem Diabetes, a person’s lifestyle can also determine how a patient delivers insulin into their system. For example, patients may use different daily insulin delivery techniques to suit their lifestyles.
Choosing an insulin delivery method is quite hectic for some patients, and they must be aware of all available options. For example, here is a description of three insulin delivery devices a diabetic patient can choose to deliver insulin into their body.
Insulin Pen
An insulin pen is almost identical to the pens we use to write. They are of two different types, disposable and reusable pens. The disposable pens are prefilled with the insulin, while the reusable pens come with a cartridge filled with the insulin.
They are effortless and convenient to use. All a patient has to do is dial up the dose and press the plunger on one end of the pen. Then, the plunger injects insulin into the body through the needle at the other end. The pens contain memory storage that informs you of how much insulin you took.
The only downside to the insulin pen is that they are a bit expensive, costing about $30-$40 a pen. This also means that most insurance companies choose not to cover their cost.
Vials and Syringes
Insulin syringes have a fine needle used to inject insulin into the body. Different types of insulin syringes can be used with every type of insulin. They are cost-effective as a box of 100 syringes costs between $10-$15. they are also most likely to be covered by the patient’s insurance.
The downside about vials and syringes is that they are manual, and the patients must take the required steps to ensure they take the proper dosage. To avoid dosage errors, the patient must first fill the syringe with air, take their time attaching the needle, and draw the proper vial dosage into the syringe before injecting themselves.
Insulin Inhalers
The inhaled insulin is a powdered form of insulin, rapid-acting and is only used before meals. The drug is most effective between 15-20 minutes of admission and takes about 2-3 hours to clear from the body. The drug comes in a cartridge where every cartridge contains a single dose. The cartridge is then placed in an inhaler that’s easy to carry and use.
The main disadvantage of inhaled insulin is that the patient cannot use the inhaler alone and must consider combining it with longer-acting insulin. For example, a person with chronic lung disease and a smoker cannot use inhaled insulin.
Best Insulin Delivery Method
The best insulin delivery method is the one that suits the patient’s lifestyle, is easier for them to use, and is one that the patient can afford.
