Why is it important to ensure no air bubbles are present in the syringe when drawing up insulin?

Patients should be aware that air bubbles in an insulin pen can reduce the rate of insulin flow from the pen; underdelivery of insulin can occur when air bubbles are present, even if the needle remains under the skin for as long as 10 s after depressing the plunger.

Why do you inject air into insulin?

So how much air do you inject? About the same amount as the dose you need to withdraw. The air will displace the insulin in the vial. When you shoot the air into the vial, you raise the pressure inside it, making it easier to draw out the contents.

How long are prefilled insulin syringes good for?

If you prefill syringes: Store the prefilled syringes in the refrigerator with the needle pointing up to prevent insulin from blocking the needle opening. Syringes filled with one type of insulin (rather than mixed insulin) will keep for about a month. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

What is special about insulin syringes?

Insulin syringes are disposable and meant for one-time use. This helps make sure the needles are sterile to avoid the risk of infections from used needles. It’s also important to rotate injection sites to avoid lipohypertrophy, or an abnormal fat deposit under the skin.

How do you make insulin without bubbles?

Filling the Syringe With Medicine

1. Hold the syringe in your hand like a pencil, with the needle pointed up.
2. With the cap still on, pull back the plunger to the line on your syringe for your dose.
3. Insert the needle into the rubber top.
4. Push the air into the vial.
5. Turn the vial upside down and hold it up in the air.

Why do you draw up clear before cloudy insulin?

The rapid- or short-acting insulin (clear) is drawn up first to prevent the intermediate-acting insulin (cloudy) from getting into the rapid- or short-acting insulin bottle and affecting the onset, peak, and duration.

Why are air bubbles bad in a syringe?

Injecting a small air bubble into the skin or a muscle is usually harmless. But it might mean you aren’t getting the full dose of medicine, because the air takes up space in the syringe.

How do you get air bubbles out of insulin syringe?

To remove air bubbles from the syringe: Keep the syringe tip in the medicine. Tap the syringe with your finger to move air bubbles to the top. Then push gently on the plunger to push the air bubbles back into the vial.

Can Lantus be prefilled in syringes?

Aventis Pharmaceuticals does not recommend prefilling syringes with Lantus and storing for any period longer than needed for application.

How do you use a prefilled insulin syringe?

Before using a prefilled syringe, allow the syringe to warm for 5 to 10 minutes. Gently roll the syringe between your hands to warm the insulin. If the syringe contains a cloudy insulin, make sure all of the white powder is dissolved before giving the shot. Another option is to use an insulin pen.

What is the smallest insulin syringe?

Needles come in all different lengths. NovoFine® Plus is 4 mm in length, our shortest insulin pen needle currently available. Although its size may suggest otherwise, when compared with longer and thicker needles, a 4 mm needle effectively delivers insulin regardless of patient body mass index (BMI).