What are insulin pens used for?

Insulin pens are used to inject insulin into the body for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. They provide a convenient and precise way for people with diabetes—especially those with type 1 diabetes and some with type 2 diabetes—to manage their blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Main purposes of insulin pens:

1. Deliver insulin:

   • They are designed to administer a controlled dose of insulin subcutaneously (under the skin).

2. Improve dosing accuracy:

   • Pens allow users to select the exact dose they need, reducing the risk of dosing errors compared to traditional syringes.

3. Enhance convenience:

   • Insulin pens are portable, discreet, and easy to use, making them ideal for people who need to inject insulin multiple times a day.

4. Increase adherence:

   • Because they’re more user-friendly than vials and syringes, insulin pens may help improve adherence to insulin therapy.

Types of insulin used with pens:

• Rapid-acting insulin (e.g., before meals)

• Short-acting insulin

• Intermediate-acting insulin

• Long-acting insulin (e.g., once or twice daily)

• Premixed insulin (a combination of two types)

Insulin pens can make taking insulin more convenient because they combine the medication and syringe in one handy unit. Unlike syringes, pens come preloaded with insulin—including premixed insulins.