### What You Need to Know About Insulin Pens Managing diabetes often requires taking insulin shots throughout the day. Insulin delivery systems such as insulin pens can make giving insulin shots much easier. If you currently use a vial and syringe to deliver your insulin, switching to an insulin pen may make it easier to manage your diabetes. Insulin pens don’t eliminate the need to poke yourself with a needle. They simply make measuring and delivering your insulin less complicated. Insulin pens deliver anywhere from 0.5 to 80 units of insulin at a time. They can deliver insulin in increments of one-half unit, one unit, or two units. The maximum dose and the incremental amount vary among pens. The amount of total insulin units in the cartridges vary as well. The pens come in two basic forms: disposable and reusable. A disposable insulin pen contains a prefilled cartridge, and the entire pen is thrown away when the cartridge is empty. Reusable pens allow you to replace the insulin cartridge when it’s empty. The insulin pen you use depends on the type of insulin you require, the number of units you typically need per insulin shot, and the available pens for that insulin type. The needles on insulin pens come in different lengths and thicknesses, and most fit on all of the available insulin pens. Talk to your healthcare professional to decide which pen is best for you. Similar to vials of insulin, insulin pens do not require constant refrigeration once they’ve been opened. Insulin pens only require refrigeration before their first use. After its initial use, simply keep your insulin pen out of direct sunlight and at room temperature. Insulin pens typically stay good for 7 to 28 days after the initial use, depending on the type of insulin they contain. However, if the expiration date printed on the pen or cartridge has passed, you should not use the insulin. Each time you use your pen, if you accidentally dial in too high of a dose, insulin pens give you the ability to fix the mistake quickly and easily. Some pens expel the excess insulin through the needle in such a way that it will not enter your skin, while others have an option to reset your pen to zero units and start over. Insulin pens are a convenient option to help you manage your blood sugar levels. The pens are small and portable and come loaded with medication and a syringe all in one device, making them an ideal solution for people on the go. Insulin pens are also simple and discreet to use — all you have to do is attach a new needle, dial the correct dose, inject, and dispose of your needle. You can also ask your doctor about disposable insulin pens which can be conveniently thrown away after each use. Insulin pens are available in color-coded varieties to make it easy for you to tell what type of insulin you’re using. Some models — referred to as “smart” insulin pens — can even connect to smartphone apps via Bluetooth, which allows you to track your blood sugar levels on your phone and receive reminders about when to re-dose. While there are plenty of benefits to insulin pens, their convenience comes at a price: Insulin pens are more expensive than traditional syringes. Be sure to talk to your doctor and insurance company about the cost of different diabetes management options if you’re interested in using an insulin pen.