Other Ways to Take Insulin

While injecting with a syringe or insulin pen are the most popular methods of insulin delivery, other options exist:


Insulin Pump

Insulin pumps are about the size of an electronic pager and can be worn on a belt or in a pocket. They deliver insulin through a flexible tube inserted under the skin near the abdomen. The user gets a continuous flow of basal insulin, as well as larger bolus doses that are released by pressing a button at mealtimes or at other times when blood sugar levels are above the target range.

By providing a small yet constant flow of insulin, insulin pumps mimic the way a healthy pancreas works. For people who keep a close eye on their blood glucose levels, activity levels, and diets, insulin pumps may provide better glucose control and might allow for greater flexibility in your insulin regimen. However, insulin pumps require attention in order for them to give you good results:

• You need to learn how to operate a pump before you can use it effectively.
  
  
• You need to know how to count carbohydrates, calculate insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios, and adjust your insulin as necessary before meals and activities.
  
  
• You need to monitor your blood glucose levels four to six times per day.
  
  
• There's an increased risk of moderate to severe low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia.
  
  
• There's a risk of inflammation and infection at the insertion site.
  
  
• There's an increased risk for hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis if your insulin delivery is interrupted in any way.
  
  
• An insulin pump is usually worn 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Jet Injector

Jet injectors are devices that force a tiny stream of insulin through the skin by pressure. Unlike syringes and insulin pens, jet injectors don't puncture the skin, which is good news for people who are afraid of needles. However, jet injectors do have their downsides, and as a result, are not routinely used as alternatives to syringes:

• The pressure used by the jet injector to deliver the insulin can cause bruising if the correct technique isn't used consistently.
  
  
• Some people feel that they are more painful than injections with insulin needles.
  
  
• It takes a lot of time to clean a jet injector and prepare the insulin dose. Although newer jet injectors use disposable injection chambers, these tend to be expensive.
  
  
• Jet injectors are expensive and may not be covered by your health insurance.
  

Before buying a jet injector, try it out to make sure that the effort to use it properly is something you're willing to do every day. Also, check with your insurance company to see if it's covered.


Insulin Infuser

Infusers minimize needle sticks by creating a portal that you inject insulin into. A small tube is inserted into the fatty tissue of the injection site (typically the abdomen), and taped in place for two or three days. Insulin is injected with a traditional syringe or insulin pen into the tube instead of through the skin. Increased risk of infection and a lot of discomfort are the main drawbacks of infusion sets.

New Technologies in Insulin Delivery

The following methods are being researched, but they're some years away from being broadly available in the United States.

• Implantable insulin pump
  
  
• Similar in function to an external pump, but implanted under your skin.
  
  
• Less hypoglycemia than external pumps.
  
  
• Requires frequent medical attention, including surgery to implant it and frequent unclogging, a minor surgical procedure.
  
• Artificial Pancreas
  
  
• A surgically implanted device that measures blood glucose and automatically adjusts the insulin dosage accordingly.
  
  
• Users can release bolus injections via remote control.
  
  
• Future versions could also have a chip-based internal sensor to automatically activate the pump.
  
  
• Insulin patch
  
  
• Delivers a continuous dose of insulin through the skin usually with a very fine needle that penetrates the skin. May also use electricity to drive the insulin through the skin.
  
  
• Works like the nicotine patches that smokers use to help them quit.
  
  
• A drawback is that insulin does not pass through the skin easily.