Diabetic Syringes

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Disposable insulin pens are available that contain a limited capacity of insulin (e.g., 150 units). Users select the dose, inject the insulin and then discard the needle according to local regulations. After all of the insulin has been used, the pen device can be discarded in the garbage can with regular trash.

Syringe reuse Manufacturers of disposable syringes recommend that they be used only once, because the sterility of a reused syringe cannot be guaranteed. However, some individuals prefer to reuse a syringe until its needle becomes dull. Most insulin preparations have bacteriostatic additives that inhibit growth of bacteria commonly found on the skin. For many patients, it appears both safe and practical for the syringe to be reused if the patient so desires. The syringe should be discarded when the needle becomes dull, has been bent, or has come into contact with any surface other than the skin; if reuse is planned, the needle must be recapped after each use. Syringe reuse may carry an increased risk of infection for some individuals. Patients with poor personal hygiene, an acute concurrent illness, open wounds on the hands, or decreased resistance to infection for any reason should not reuse a syringe. Patients reusing a syringe should periodically inspect the skin around an injection site for unusual redness or signs of infection. Individuals should consult their physicians before initiating the practice of syringe reuse and whenever injection-site infection is suspected. Before syringe reuse is considered, it should be determined that the patient is capable of safely recapping a syringe. Proper recapping requires adequate vision, manual dexterity, and no obvious tremor. The patient should be instructed in a recapping technique that supports the syringe in the hand and replaces the cap with a straight motion of the thumb and forefinger. The technique of guiding both the needle and cap to meet in midair should be discouraged, because this frequently results in needle-stick injury. The syringe being reused may be stored at room temperature. The potential benefits or risks, if any, of refrigerating the syringe in use or of using alcohol to cleanse the needle of a syringe are unknown. Cleansing the needle with alcohol may not be desirable, because it may remove the silicon coating that makes for less painful skin puncture.

SYRINGE ALTERNATIVES Insulin can be given with jet injectors that inject insulin as a fine stream into the skin. These injectors offer an advantage for patients unable to use syringes or those with needle phobias. A potential advantage may be a more rapid absorption of short-acting insulin. However, the initial cost of these injectors is relatively high, and they may traumatize the skin. They should not be viewed as a routine option for use in patients with diabetes. Several pen-like devices and insulin- containing cartridges are available that deliver insulin subcutaneously through a needle. In selected patients (e.g., those who are visually and/or neurologically impaired and those using multiple daily injection regimens), these devices may improve accuracy of insulin administration and/or be more convenient.

This information and more information can be found at The American Diabetes Association http://diabetes.org/diabetescare/supplement198/s72.htm