DiabeteSuffolk.com

Insulin Needles

• Introduction
• What are the different makes of needles available?
• What are the different sizes of needles available?
• Which size should I use?
• How do I attach the needle to the pen device ?
• Is a shorter needle better?
• Can I re-use the needle?
• Do I leave the needle attached to the pen?
• Dispose of your needles safely!
• Table of insulin needles and Prescription codes

Introduction

Needle technology has changed remarkably over the past two decades. Many years ago insulin needles were large, often blunt and were kept immersed in surgical spirits to ensure they were free of germs. The result was a very painful injection which has lead to the popular belief that insulin injections are painful!

What are the different makes of needles available?

There are four manufacturers who supply needles for the UK market. Becton Dickinson (BD Microfine needles), Disetronic (Penfine), Owen Mumford (Unifine Pentips) and NovoNordisk (Novofine needles). The needles are generally interchangeable and may be used with all the available pens with the exception of the OptipenPro pen.

What are the different sizes of needles available?

Needles vary in length and guage. Generally the higher the gauge the thinner the needle is. A 31G needle is therefore thinner than a 28 G needle.

There are five available lengths 5mm, 6mm, 8mm (5/16“), 12 mm and 12.7 (1/2”) mm. There are four different gauges being 28g, 29G, 30G and 31 G.

Which size should I use?

Your Diabetes Specialist Nurse will advise you on which needle would suit your requirements. In general more obese individuals would require a longer needle. The short needles do not require you to pick up a fold of skin when injecting.

How do I attach the needle to the pen device?

Above: Needle in sterile package

Above: Peel off cover exposing hub of needle

Above: Attach pen to needle and remove cover

Is a shorter needle better?

Not necessarily. Some overweight patients have experienced increased blood glucose levels using a shorter pen needle.

Can I re-use the needle?

Insulin needles are disposable. Use a new needle for each injection. Because the new insulin needles are so fine they are not suitable for repeated use.

Do I leave the needle attached to the pen?

This is best avoided. When going from a warm environment to a cooler place the insulin may contract and air can be drawn into the cartridge. As a general rule, attach a fresh needle before your injection and discard immediately after.

Dispose of your needles safely!

Always dispose of your used needles carefully. It is your responsibility to ensure your used needles are disposed in a safe manner. Use a sharps bin for this purpose or use a needle clipper.

Ask your practice nurse or local authority about safe disposal of sharps bins and used needles. Your surgery may be willing to provide a sharps bin and also agree to dispose of your sharps bin when full.

Table of insulin needles and Prescription codes

Manufacturer	Tradename	Gauge	Length	Prescribing (PIP) code
Novo Nordisk	Novofine	28 G	12 mm	079-8702
		30 G	8 mm	216-8672
		31 G	6 mm	267-0552
Becton Dickinson	BD Microfine	29 G	12.7 mm	008-7502
		31 G	8 mm	239-3452
		31 G	5 mm	243-8554
Disetronic	Penfine	29 G	12 mm	276-8539
		29 G	10 mm	276-8547
		31 G	8 mm	276-8554
		31 G	6 mm	276-8562
Owen Mumford	Unifine Pentips	29 G	12 mm	234-8423
		30 G	8 mm	234-8415
		31G	6 mm	281-5793

Dr Nishan Wijenaike
Consultant Diabetologist
West Suffolk Diabetes Service
October 2003