Insulin is a hormone required for converting sugar and starch into energy which is not produced by the pancreas among individuals who have type-1 diabetes. As for those who have type-2 diabetes, not enough insulin is produced or the cells of the body are resistant to insulin.
If there is lack of insulin, the blood sugar level increases too high and results to life-threatening complications. Those who have type-1 diabetes should take insulin to maintain the normal blood sugar levels. As for type-2 diabetes, the condition is managed with oral medications but insulin is also required. A flex pen is an injection device that is pre-filled with insulin which provides a convenient and accurate way to administer insulin.
- Wash hands first and take off the flex pen cap. Cleanse the rubber stopper on top of the insulin reservoir using alcohol.
- Attach a well-matched insulin needle onto the flex pen. Detach the cap from the needle.
- Dial two units and hold the flex pen with the needle pointed upward and gently tap on the reservoir. Push down the button to administer a shot. Remember that priming the flex pen is required to ensure that small amounts of air trapped within the insulin reservoir are removed and not injected. A small amount of insulin must appear at the top of the needle. If not, you have to repeat the priming steps. Turn the dial back to zero.
- Dial the number of insulin units to be administered. Use alcohol to clean the area of skin where the injection is to be administered. Pinch a 2-inch fold of skin on the cleansed skin.
- Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle in the 2-inch pinched skin. Press down on the button. Make sure that the needle stays in the skin for 6 seconds to ensure that all the insulin has been administered.
- Withdraw the needle and secure in place an adhesive bandage if desired. Take out the needle and discard in a sharps container.
Considerations to bear in mind
- If you want to reduce the damage to the needles, avoid screwing the needle to the flex pen until it is time for the administration.
- After 6 failed attempts at priming, the flex pen should not be used. Remember that faulty flex pens must be discarded and use a new one.
- When dialing a dose of insulin, it is okay to turn the dial selector in either direction to correct a wrong dose.
- Make it a point to double-check to ensure that the right amount of insulin is administered.
- Do not reuse the needles and always discard the needle in a sharps container. A sharps container is available in most pharmacies. If there is no available sharps container, you can utilize a used bleach bottle or laundry detergent bottle with a top that screws on tightly. Avoid using clear bottles or glass containers and make sure that the containers are placed in the garbage bin.
The flex pens using an insulin suspension should be re-suspended before they can be used. All you have to do is gently roll the flex pen in the palm of the hands 10 times.