People ask a number of questions about insulin. Below are some of the more commonly asked questions.
Answers:
Q:
A:
Variation in insulin absorption, either accelerated or delayed, can cause fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
Absorption of insulin is accelerated by:
- Injecting into an exercised area such as the thigh
- A high body temperature which may have been caused by a shower, bath, hot water bottle, spa, sauna
- Massaging the area around the injection site
- Injecting into muscle; the deeper the injection into muscle, the faster the insulin will be absorbed).
Absorption can be delayed by:
- Smoking
- Scarring or lumps due to over-use of the same injection site, which causes the flesh to become hard and leads to erratic absorption of insulin
- Cold insulin, for example injecting it immediately after taking from the fridge.
Q:
A:
Used syringes, pen needles and lancets must be disposed of in an Australian Safety Standards approved sharps container which is puncture-proof and has a secure lid. These are usually yellow in colour and are available through pharmacies and Diabetes Australia.
Procedures to dispose of sharps containers vary from state to state. For more information contact Diabetes Australia on 1300 136 588.
Q:
A:
Keep your unopened insulin vials or ‘pen’ cartridges on their side in the fridge. Be sure not to allow them to freeze.
Once opened, insulin may be kept at room temperature. Discard the insulin after one month of being opened.
Insulin can be safely carried in your handbag or pocket.
Insulin may be damaged by extreme temperatures. It must not be left where temperatures are over 30 degrees or in direct sunlight. Remember it can get this hot in the glove box of your car!
Q:
A:
Do not use your current supply insulin if:
- Clear insulin has turned cloudy
- The expiry date has been reached
- It has been frozen or exposed to high temperatures
- You can see lumps or flakes in the insulin
- You see deposits of insulin on the inside of the vial and you can’t dissolve them by gently rotating the vial
- The vial has been open for longer than one month.