What should I look for when buying insulin syringes?
There are a few things to keep in mind when buying insulin syringes. Insulin syringes are disposable and meant for one-time use. This helps make sure the needles are sterile to avoid the risk of infections from used needles. It’s also important to rotate injection sites to avoid lipohypertrophy, or an abnormal fat deposit under the skin.
Why are some insulin syringes now coded orange?
Several 10-fold insulin overdoses have been reported because the 25 gauge needles on some tuberculin syringes are now coded in orange, a color previously associated with insulin syringes. Color-coding can also be error-prone if it’s not applied consistently across the industry, or within a single manufacturer’s product line.
What is insulin syringes?
Insulin is a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar. If a person is unable to produce or respond to insulin, they may develop diabetes. In these cases, people can manually administer insulin through different methods, such as syringes, which are available in different sizes.
What does the color of a syringe label mean?
The label color identifies a drug category, but it does not necessarily identify a specific drug, strength, or dose contained in a syringe. So anyone other than the person who prepared the syringe may not be aware of its actual contents, and thus administer the wrong drug or dose.
Are insulin syringes orange?
The TB syringe is packaged in a white wrapper with black and orange print with an orange plunger tip—the same color used for many years on insulin syringes. Previously, the TB syringe, typically used for subcutaneous injec- tions, had a blue needle hub and label.
How do you identify an insulin syringe?
The number lines in an insulin syringe, measured in milliliters (mL), stand for the following:0.3 mL syringes are for insulin doses under 30 units of insulin and are numbered at 1-unit intervals.0.5 mL syringes are for 30 to 50 units of insulin and are numbered at 1-unit intervals.More items...
What are the 3 different sizes of syringes for insulin?
Insulin syringes are available by prescription in 3 sizes: 0.3 ml, 0.5 ml and 1 ml. Choose a syringe size based on the dose (units) of insulin you require. It is easier and more accurate to measure smaller doses with a smaller volume syringe.
What does insulin needles look like?
The thinner the needle, the higher its gauge. For example, a 31-gauge needle is thinner than a 28-gauge needle. Insulin pens look like writing pens, except that there is a thin, short needle at the end. Some insulin pens can be refilled, while other pens are thrown away when empty.
What are the different types of syringes?
Syringe Types There are a couple of different types of syringes to shop including luer lock, luer slip, catheter tip, and insulin syringe. Luer slip syringes offer a quick and simple way to attach a needle.
What is the smallest needle for insulin?
Needle Sizes4 mm. The smallest, thinnest needle is the nano 4 mm, 32 gauge needle, which is about as thin as two strands of hair. ... 6 mm. The 6 mm mini needle usually comes in a gauge of 31 or 32, making it as thin as the 4 mm option. ... 8 mm. ... 10 mm to 12 mm.
Are all insulin syringes the same?
They are typically available in sizes ranging from 4 millimeters (mm) to 12.7 mm. The gauge of a needle refers to its thickness. Thinner needles may be more comfortable, while thicker needles may administer insulin quicker. The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle.
What is the most common size insulin syringe?
Insulin syringes come in three common sizes: 3/10ml syringe, also called a 0.3ml syringe. 1/2ml syringe, also called a 0.5ml syringe....1.0ml syringe3/10ml syringe draws up to 30 units.1/2 ml syringe draws up to 50 units.1.0ml syringe draws up to 100 units.
What gauge needle is used for insulin injections?
Insulin delivery, which involves even smaller volumes and is typically carried out by patients in diverse everyday settings, benefits from still smaller needles, usually of 31–29 gauge inserted to a depth of 6–13 mm.
What are the different sizes of needles and types of syringes?
Needles range in various sized gauges from small diameter (25 to 29 gauge) to large diameter (18 to 22 gauge). Note that the larger the diameter of a needle, the smaller the gauge number. Larger diameter needles (18-22 gauge) are typically used to administer thicker medications or blood products.
Can you buy insulin syringes over the counter?
It is legal in most of the U.S. to purchase syringes and needles without a prescription. However, you are solely responsible for following the laws in your state. HealthWarehouse.com reserves the right to refuse any order in the event that filling such order would violate any federal, state, or local law or regulation.
How Do You Read An Insulin Syringe?
Insulin syringes are marked in units, the method of measuring how much insulin a patient receives. This is different than the way most other types of syringes are marked (milliliters). A pet’s insulin dose should be written in the form of units as well. For example, a cat might get 2 units every 12 hours. It is important to remember that the type of insulin syringe MUST match the type of insulin being given. Insulin comes in two common concentrations: U40 and U100. U40 syringes must be used with U40 insulin. Likewise, U100 insulin must be used with U100 syringes. Mixing this up can lead to potentially life-threatening under or over doses. Any specific questions regarding the appropriate dosing of insulin should be directed to a pet’s veterinarian. Continue reading >>
How many units of insulin are in a syringe?
Syringe manufacturers typically make their products in three main barrel sizes, 3/10 ml, which holds 30 units or less; 1/2 ml, which is meant for people taking 31 to 50 units of insulin; or 1 ml, which is intended for people with a dosage of 51 to 100 units. Verify which barrel size you have.
What is the rubber seal on a plunger?
The plunger has a rubber seal at the lower end to prevent leakage. The rubber seal is matched with the line on the barrel to measure the correct amount of insulin. Insulin syringes are made in several sizes.
How to read a syringe?
You read the gradations on the side of the syringe for fractions of milliliters, depending on the size of the syringe. Each size syringe -- from the smallest at 3 mL, to syringes between 5 and 12 mL and syringes over 12 mL -- has its own gradations. 3 mL Syringes Draw liquid into a 3 mL syringe by inserting either the tip or the needle into the liquid and pulling the plunger upward. Turn the syringe so that the tip or needle points upward and make sure you can read the numbers on the side of the syringe right-side up as you would read numbers on a printed page. Note the number marked on each of the two long lines between which the top ring of the plunger (the ring closer to the tip or needle of the syringe) rests. The last long line closest to the needle or tip is the zero mark. Count the number of short lines from the top ring of the plunger to the nearest whole or half mark (long line) above it. Add 0.1 mL to the number on the whole or half mark for each line you count. Use the following examples as guidelines for Step 3, keeping in mind that you are reading the syringe with the needle end up. If the top ring rests three lines below the top line on the side of the syringe there are 0.3 mL of liquid in the syringe (0 +0.3 = 0.3). If it rests one line below the 2.5 mark, there are 2.6 mL of liquid in the syringe (2.5 + 0.1 = 2.6). If it rests three lines below the 1.5 mark, there are 1.8 mL of liquid in the syringe (1.5 + 0.3 = 1.8). 0.5 and 1 mL Syringes Draw Continue reading >>
What is the purpose of the needle in the insulin barrel?
The barrel is the long, thin chamber that holds the insulin. The barrel is marked with lines to measure the number of insulin units.
Why do insulin plungers have rubber seals?
The plunger has a rubber seal on the end that is inside the barrel, to prevent leakage. To measure the required amount of insulin, you move the rubber seal until it matches the correct line on the barrel. Insulin syringes are made in several sizes.
How many ml is a syringe?
Insulin syringes are made in several sizes. Syringe size and insulin units Syringe size Number of units the syringe holds 1/4 mL or 0.25 mL 25 1/3 mL or 0.33 mL 30 1/2 mL or 0.50 mL 50 Use the smallest syringe size you can for the dose of insulin you need.
What is the number to call for insulin syringes?
Regardless of what you need, Diabetes Supply Store is guaranteed to offer you the right insulin syringes for the right fit. Please call us at 855-609-2300 any time Mon-Fri 9-5 EST. for assistance.
What is an easy touch syringe?
Comfort-focused syringes; the EasyTouch Insulin Syringe is film coated for maximum comfort and lines up precisely for accurate ...
What is clever choice syringe?
Clever Choice Comfort EZ Insulin Syringes are designed and manufactured to the highest quality levels possible for a production...
What is BD Ultra Fine II?
BD Ultra Fine II insulin syringes are designed to be safe and comfortable. They are engineered to utilize optimal point geometr...
What is insulin syringe?
Insulin syringes explained. There are a few things to keep in mind when buying insulin syringes. Insulin syringes are disposable and meant for one-time use. This helps make sure the needles are sterile to avoid the risk of infections from used needles.
How many units of insulin in 0.3 ml syringe?
0.3 mL syringes are for insulin doses under 30 units of insulin and are numbered at 1-unit intervals.
What determines the thickness of the needle?
The size of the barrel determines how much insulin a syringe holds, and the needle gauge determines the needle thickness. Thinner needles may be more comfortable to inject for some people.
Why do you need to go up the size of a syringe?
Syringes also allow more flexibility if doses need to be adjusted daily based on your blood sugar levels. If your dose is close to the maximum capacity of the syringe, you may want to go up a size to avoid problems handling the syringe.
How is insulin given?
Insulin can be given in different ways: syringe, pen, pump. Your doctor will help you decide which type is best for you depending on your insulin dose, comfort level, and cost factors.
How many people with diabetes need insulin?
In type 2 diabetes, the body can’t use insulin efficiently or make enough. Nearly 7.4 million people with diabetes in the United States need to take insulin to manage their blood sugars. Insulin can be given in different ways: syringe, pen, pump.
Do you need multiple insulin syringes?
You may need multiple syringes if you give different doses per day.
What are the problems with U-500 insulin syringes?
In one case, an endocrinology clinic called the hospital pharmacy to ask how to order U-500 syringes. During the conversation, it became apparent that there was some confusion about the use of these syringes. The pharmacist stressed that the patient should not use a U-500 syringe to measure any insulin concentration other than U-500, or the measurement would be incorrect, leading to a 5-fold underdose. At another organization, some providers have been selecting U-500 insulin syringes in error via electronic prescribing systems. There have been 8 incidents where U-500 syringes were prescribed in error, although pharmacists intervened each time and prevented patients from receiving the wrong syringes. The computer system at the clinic where this happened listed the “U-500” designation far to the right of the entry, making it easy for both the prescriber and dispensing pharmacist to overlook it: “SYRINGE INSULIN SYRINGE 0.5ML 31G 6MM (U-500) XA854 100/Box….” As a result, pharmacy created a ‘quick order’ for U-500 syringes to minimize the risk of providers inadvertently selecting this item during routine order entry. Moving the “U-500” designation to the left of the insulin syringe entry also helps give it prominence. In addition, caution patients about the risk of a mix-up and dosing errors if multiple family members in the home use insulin and both U-500 and U-100 insulin syringes are available. Another issue with U-500 syringes is they lack a needle guard to protect staff from needlestick injuries. Many hospitals refuse to stock U-500 syringes without th Continue reading >>
What insulin do you use for a dog?
When using insulin it is imperative to use an appropriate syringe that matches the type of insulin you are using. Since veterinarians use both U-40 and U-100 insulin for the treatment of diabetes, it is critical to be certain about the insulin you are using so your pet can be treated properly. When using U-40 insulin, you should only use U-40 insulin syringes. And for U-100 insulin, you should only use U-100 insulin syringes. This will ensure that the dosage your veterinarian has prescribed for your pet is being administered properly. Some facts about insulin syringes: The concentration of insulin will always be listed on the bottle and the packaging. The syringe description will always be listed on the packaging and usually is listed on the syringe. 1 cc means one cubic centimeter which is the same as 1 ml or 1 milliliter. The terms cc and ml are used interchangeably. Common examples of U-100 insulin include glargine/Lantus, NPH and detemir/Levemir. These are products made for humans that veterinarians may use on veterinary patients. Vetsulin and Prozinc are 2 types of U-40 insulin that are manufactured and FDA approved for veterinary patients. If you use compounded insulin you must verify with your veterinarian the concentration of insulin. Smaller volume syringes have a more narrow barrel. This makes it easier to accurately dose the insulin. (The lines demarcating units are spaced further apart on smaller volume syringes.) The volume of the syringe will affect the maximum number of units that can be given. For example a 3/10 cc U-40 syringe can hold 3/10 x 40 or 12 units. Likewise, a 3/10 cc U-100 syringe can hold 3/10 x 100 or 30 units. Larger veterinary patients may need ½ cc or 1 cc volume syringes. Gauge means the width of the needle. 29 gauge needles are quite Continue reading >>
What is the most common way to inject diabetes medicine?
Millions of Americans are living with it. And of those, about 15% use medicine that’s injected. Vials and syringes used to be the most common way to inject. But today, many injectable diabetes medicines come in prescription pens, also called prefilled pens. Here, we will focus on the needles that are used with those pens. Choosing a pen needle Today's pen needles are designed to fit most prefilled pens. But, there are other things to consider when choosing a pen needle. Talk with your health care provider; together you can decide which needle works best for you. To learn more about Novo Nordisk’s line of needles and to find the pen needle that’s right for you, click here. Today’s needles are shorter and thinner People who have never self-injected may have concerns about doing so and that’s understandable. But pen needles have come a long way from the ones first launched in 1985. Since then, injection comfort has driven needle technology, making the needles used today shorter and thinner than the ones used in the past. Understanding needle size Pen needles come in all different sizes. The size of a needle is indicated by 2 factors—length and gauge (G): Needle length is measured in millimeters. Lengths range anywhere from 12.7 mm to 4 mm, the shortest insulin pen needle currently available Understanding gauge can be a little tricky. The gauge of a needle refers to its thickness. You would think the higher the number, the thicker the needle, but it’s actually the opposite. The higher the number, the thinner the needle is. For example, a 32G needle is thinner than a 27G needle Always use a new needle for each injection You run the risk of infection from reusing needles. The more you reuse a needle, t Continue reading >>
Why is insulin important for diabetes?
Insulin is necessary for normal carbohydrate , protein, and fat metabolism. People with type 1 diabetes mellitus do not produce enough of this hormone to sustain life and therefore depend on exogenous insulin for survival. In contrast, individuals with type 2 diabetes are not dependent on exogenous insulin for survival. However, over time, many of these individuals will show decreased insulin production, therefore requiring supplemental insulin for adequate blood glucose control, especially during times of stress or illness. An insulin regimen is often required in the treatment of gestational diabetes and diabetes associated with certain conditions or syndromes (e.g., pancreatic diseases, drug- or chemical-induced diabetes, endocrinopathies, insulin-receptor disorders, certain genetic syndromes). In all instances of insulin use, the insulin dosage must be individualized and balanced with medical nutrition therapy and exercise. This position statement addresses issues regarding the use of conventional insulin administration (i.e., via syringe or pen with needle and cartridge) in the self-care of the individual with diabetes. It does not address the use of insulin pumps. (See the American Diabetes Association’s position statement “Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion” for further discussion on this subject.) INSULIN Insulin is obtained from pork pancreas or is made chemically identical to human insulin by recombinant DNA technology or chemical modification of pork insulin. Insulin analogs have been developed by modifying the amino acid sequence of the insulin molecule. Insulin is available in rapid-, short-, intermediate-, and long-acting types that may be injected separately or mixed in the same syringe. Rapid-acting insulin analogs (insulin lispro and insulin a Continue reading >>
How does insulin work in the body?
Insulin is a hormone made by beta cells in the pancreas. When we eat, insulin is released into the blood stream where it helps to move glucose from the food we have eaten into cells to be used as energy. In people with type 1 diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin as the cells that produce insulin have been destroyed by an autoimmune reaction in the body. Insulin replacement by daily injections is required. In people with type 2 diabetes the body produces insulin but the insulin does not work as well as it should. This is often referred to as insulin resistance. To compensate the body makes more but eventually cannot make enough to keep the balance right. Lifestyle changes can delay the need for tablets and/or insulin to stabilise blood glucose levels. When insulin is required, it is important to understand that this is just the natural progression of the condition. RMIT University have produced a short overview of insulin, a drug that keeps in excess of one million Australians alive. Watch the video to understand why insulin is important and why so many Australians rely on it to stay alive. Copyright © 2015 RMIT University, Prepared by the School of Applied Sciences (Discipline of Chemistry). At this stage, insulin can only be injected. Insulin cannot be given in tablet form as it would be destroyed in the stomach, meaning it would not be available to convert glucose into energy. Insulin is injected through the skin into the fatty tissue known as the subcutaneous layer. You do not inject it into muscle or directly into the blood. Absorption of insulin varies depending on the part of the body into which you inject. The tummy (abdomen) absorbs insulin the fastest and is the site used by most people. The buttocks and thighs are also used by some people. While i Continue reading >>
Why do people take insulin?
Introduction Insulin is used for people who have type 1 diabetes. It's also used if you have type 2 diabetes and other medicines are not controlling your blood sugar. If you have gestational diabetes, you may need to take insulin if diet and exercise have not helped to keep your blood sugar levels within your target range. With little or no insulin, sugar (glucose) in the blood can't enter your cells to be used for energy. This causes the sugar in your blood to rise to a level that's not safe. When your blood sugar rises past about 180 mg/dL, your kidneys start to release sugar into the urine. This can make you dehydrated. If that happens, your kidneys make less urine, which means your body can't get rid of extra sugar. This is when blood sugar levels rise. Taking insulin can prevent symptoms of high blood sugar. It can also help to prevent emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis (in type 1 diabetes) and hyperosmolar coma (in type 2 diabetes). Insulin can help lower blood sugar too. This can prevent serious and permanent health problems from long-term high blood sugar. Remember these key tips for giving insulin shots: Make sure you have the right dose of insulin, especially if you are giving two types of insulin in the same syringe. Practice how to give your shot. Store the insulin properly so that each dose will work the way it should. Continue reading >>
What is the name of the disease that affects the body's production of insulin?
Diabetes is a disease affecting the body's production of insulin (type 1) or both the body's use and its production of insulin (type 2). Injectable insulin is a lifesaver for people who can no longer produce it on their own Continue reading >>
What is the color code used for syringes?
For example, a color code from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is employed as the basis for user-applied labels on syringes. The label color identifies a drug category, but it does not necessarily identify a specific drug, strength, or dose contained in a syringe.
What color are anti-inflammatory drugs?
Antiinfectives are tan, steroids are pink, mydriatics and cycloplegics are red, beta-blockers are yellow, and so on. But individual products and dosage strengths within the class are not color-coded, so mix-ups have been widely reported within each class. Since publication of that article, we have received several questions ...
Why is color coding bad?
Frequent problems with color-coding. Color-coding for pharmaceutical products should be used with extreme caution, as there are several problems associated with its widespread adoption. For one, there’s a limit to the variety of discernible colors available for commercial use. Well demonstrated in color-coding research in other industries 1,2 subtle distinctions in color are poorly discernible unless products are adjacent to each other. Contrast with background or surrounding colors also can be problematic if a certain color must be used for product identification. And of course, clinicians might be color-blind, resulting in possible misidentification of color-coded products. This could be the reason that FDA and the pharmaceutical industry have frowned on color-coding for the most part.
What would happen if all products had identical black and white labels?
Of course, if all products had identical black and white labels and were packaged in the same size and shape, careful reading of the labels would be the only way to differentiate them. Perhaps this would reduce error potential, but it’s not likely to happen in our free enterprise system for marketing pharmaceuticals. We look forward to the time when all products are bar-coded or identified through radio-frequency methods. Then, we’ll be better able to store them all together but tell them all apart, even if we misread or misunderstand the label.
Does color differentiation prevent medication errors?
Color differentiation also has not been scientifically proven to prevent medication errors. However, practitioners favor it for commercial use to help reduce the risk of product-selection errors within a manufacturer’s product line.
Is there scientific evidence for color matching?
Likewise, little scientific evidence exists to prove the value of color matching related to medication use or pharmacological products. In fact, it’s rarely, if ever used for such purposes.
Is color coding error prone?
Color-coding can also be error-prone if it’s not applied consistently across the industry, or within a single manufacturer’s product line. For example, one company used product-specific color-coding schemes for the labels on some of their products, and yellow and blue labeling for the remainder of their products.
How do syringes deliver insulin?
Syringes deliver insulin through a needle and are available in different sizes to suit different doses, comfort levels, and costs.
How many units are in a syringe?
Most syringes come in measures of 30-units or 0.3 milliliters (ml), 50 units (0.5 ml), and 100 units (1 ml). These measures refer to the barrel size and how much insulin the syringe can hold. The barrels feature markings at 1- or 2-unit intervals to help people measure their dose.
What is the gauge of a needle?
The gauge of a needle refers to its thickness. Thinner needles may be more comfortable, while thicker needles may administer insulin quicker. The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle. They are typically available in sizes ranging from 28–31.
What hormones do diabetics use to regulate their blood sugar levels?
Insulin is a hormone the pancreas produces to help the body use glucose for energy. People with diabetes can manually use insulin to regulate their blood glucose levels and keep them within healthy ranges. There are many types of insulin , and they vary according to how quickly they can lower blood sugar and the length of time they can do this.
How many different ways can you administer insulin?
There are currently four main ways people can administer insulin: syringes, pens, pumps, and inhalers. How a person takes insulin can vary depending on their lifestyle, sugar levels, and what they eat.
What is the purpose of insulin?
Insulin is a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar. If a person is unable to produce or respond to insulin, they may develop diabetes. In these cases, people can manually administer insulin through different methods, such as syringes, which are available in different sizes.
How long is a fat needle?
They are typically available in sizes ranging from 4 millimeters (mm) to 12.7 mm.
