Insulin Syringe Size

BD insulin syringes are available in these sizes:

If your dose is...		Use this capacity syringe
30 units or less, measured in half-units		3/10 mL/cc (30 units) with half-unit markings
30 units or less, measured in whole units		3/10 mL/cc (30 units) with whole unit markings
31 to 50 units		1/2 mL/cc (50 units)
51 to 100 units		1 mL/cc (100 units)

Choose the smallest syringe that's big enough to hold the largest dose you take in a day. The smaller the syringe, the easier it is to read the markings and draw up an accurate dose.

If your largest dose is close to the syringe's maximum capacity, you might want to buy the next size up to handle any increases in your dose adjustments. For example, if your dosage is 29 units and you buy a 3/10 mL syringe, you won't be able to use those syringes if your doctor increases your dosage to 31 units.

BD 3/10 mL syringes are available with two different kinds of barrels: one with dosage markings at every unit and one with dosage markings at every half-unit.

• People who take whole unit insulin doses of less than 30 units should use the BD syringe with markings at every unit, because its large, easy-to-read markings make it simple to draw up an accurate dose.
  
  
• People who take very small doses (such as children) and who are told to measure their doses in half units (such as 2 ½ units or 5 ½ units) should use the BD syringe with dosage markings at every half unit.