Choice of needle

Insulin injection - choice of needle

What is the right pen needle length for me?

One of the most important things in insulin administration is the sensible option of a needle. Today, you tin can select between dissimilar pen needle lengths. This decision affects the technique you volition employ to administer insulin. Observe out which length feels about comfortable for you lot and make your choice.

Choice of needle - Size does not matter

Size does matter

Information technology makes a difference whether you use a long needle or the shortest pen needle available. Omnican® fine pen needles come in different lengths. In general, anybody tin use an Omnican® fine 4 millimeter. Children and very thin persons should pinch up for the injection.(ten)

If yous prefer a longer pen needle nevertheless, y'all tin opt for the Omnican® fine 6 or 8 millimeter.

Choice of needle - injection technique

Injection technique

Your pick of needle and the site which you inject into define the injection angle and whether to compression up.(3,four) If you utilise a long needle or if you are a rather thin person with accordingly thin fatty tissue, a pinch up is recommended. This applies to young children likewise.(ten)

Choice of needle - how to pinch up

How to compression up

  • Use thumb, index finger and perhaps the center finger.
  • Pull skin and fat tissue advisedly abroad from the muscle.
  • Exercise not squeeze too difficult.
  • Hold the pinch up every bit long every bit you lot keep the needle in.

Always pinch up when using needles longer than half-dozen millimeters. Children should do this even when using 4 millimeter needles.(10)Usually, pen needles are inserted at a ninety-degree angle.

Choose your combination

The quick finder below shows yous which injection technique – whether to pinch up and which angle to use – is recommended for which needle: Because your choice of needle determines whether to pinch up and which injection angle to use.(10,11,12,thirteen)

Recommendations for adults

ADULTS Belly Thighs Buttocks
4 mm to 6 mm

without compression up

xc°

without pinch upwardly

90°

without pinch up

90°

8 mm to 12 mm

with pinch upwardly

90°

with pinch up

90°

with pinch up

90°

Recommentations for children and slim adults

CHILDREN Abdomen Thighs Buttocks
iv mm and 5 mm

with compression upward

90°

with pinch up

90°

with pinch up

90°

six mm

with compression up

xc° or

without pinch up

45°

with pinch upward

90°

with compression upward

ninety°

8 mm

with pinch upward

45°

with pinch upwardly

45°

with pinch up

45°

10 mm and 12 mm

not recommended

not recommended

non recommended

Tips: choice of needle

✔ You decide which needle feels most comfortable for y'all.

✔ Anybody can utilise four millimeter pen needles.

✔ Ever pinch upward when using needles longer than 6 millimeters.

✔ In general, pen needles are inserted at a 90-degree angle.

✔ But proceed in heed to ever include your diabetes team in your determination.

Sources

3. Frid A. et al., New Insulin Commitment Recommendations, Mayo Dispensary Proceedings, September 2016; ninety(9):1231-1255.
4. Hirsch L. et al., Comparative glycemic command, safety and patient ratings for a new 4 mm 32G insulin pen needle in adults with diabetes, Current Medical Research & Opinion, June 2010;26(half-dozen):1531-1541..
ten. Bergenstal R. et al., Prophylactic and Efficacy of Insulin Therapy Delivered via a 4mm Pen Needle in Obese Patients With Diabetes, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, March 2015; xc(3):329-338.
11. Frid A. et al., New injection recommendations for patients with diabetes, Diabetes and Metabolism 2010;36:iii-18.
12. Miwa T. et al., Comparison of the Effects of a New 32-Gauge x4-mm Pen Needle and a 32-Gauge x 6-mm Pen Needle on Glycemic Control, Safety, and Patient Ratings in Japanese Adults with Diabetes, Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, Dec 2012;14(12):1084-ninety.
13. Valentini Grand. et al., Efficacy, safe and acceptability of the new pen needle 33G x 4 mm. Agone 01 study, Current Medical Enquiry & Opinion Vol. 31, No. iii, 2015, 487–492.

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