Unifine Pen Needles By Owen Mumford
British medical device maker Owen Mumford is the other big name in pen needles, though not as well-known in the United States as BD. Their products currently on offer include:
Unifine Pentips. The most common brand name from Owen Mumford, which has been around since the late 1990s. The company says theyre designed to lower penetration force to support patient comfort and reduce the sensation of trauma, with a thin needle wall technology that limits how much thumb force is needed to inject insulin through the pen. This feature is designed to help reduce thumb arthritis. These are available in 4, 5, 6, 8, and 12 mm sizes and each has various gauges to choose from.
Pentips Plus. This variety of Unifine pen needles offers an extra integrated needle removal safety feature. Using whats called Safe Click Technology, the pen needle has an extra chamber so you can more easily dispose of the needle after use. This can be especially helpful when youre on-the-go and not able to immediately put the used needle into a medical sharps container. This pen needle also comes in 4, 5, 6, 8, and 12 mm lengths and gauge options of 32 to 29 mm.
Picking The Right Pen
Pens come in two basic types: disposable and reusable.
- Disposable pens are preloaded with insulin and are thrown away after the insulin cartridge is empty or the pen has been in use for 28 or 32 days .
- Reusable pens work with insulin cartridges that can be loaded into the pen and then tossed away once the insulin is used, leaving the pen ready for the next cartridge. Each pen only works with certain types of insulin, so keep that in mind as you browse pens.
Even though reusable pens are more expensive at first, replacement cartridges for reusable pens are cheaper than those for disposable, making them about the same price over the long term.
Another pen trait you may want to note when picking a pen is how it doses insulin. Some pens can dose in half-unit increments , while others dose in whole units. The maximum dosage of insulin that can be delivered at one time also varies among pens.
How Do I Properly Dispose Of Insulin Needles
Insulin needles are classified as sharps and should not be disposed of in the common household trash. To reduce the risk of cuts and punctures, they should be secured in sharps disposal containers, which are to be kept away from children and pets at all times. Sharps containers are made of metal or sturdy plastic and should have a tight lid. Follow the disposal guidelines in your community for discarding the sharps container once it is about three-quarters full and keep in mind that most sharps disposal systems should not be reused.
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Top Pen Needle Products
There are a plethora of options, but the devils in the details as far as what might work best for you.
Most of the insulin pen needles can be used on all of the different insulin pens available, regardless of the manufacturer. And all of the pen needles are FDA-approved to be used only once and then disposed of .
Heres a look at some of the most popular pen needle choices.
Can I Reuse An Insulin Pen Needle
Insulin pen needles are sold sterilized and should be replaced after each use to prevent skin infections. You may be tempted to lower costs and use the same insulin needle for morning and evening shots, changing it on a daily basis. Even though reuse by the same person is common throughout the day, it can still be very dangerous as there is a risk of injecting bacteria from the skin. To minimize these risks, never skip the hygiene protocol for injecting insulin. Wash your hands with soapy water and clean the area to be injected with an alcohol pad. Of course, never share needles with someone else.
MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMERThe information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, charts, and any other material on this site, is intended for informational purposes only and does not take the place of medical guidance provided by your physician. No information on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified medical professional about your condition or circumstances before undertaking a new healthcare regimen.
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How Do You Buy The Best Needles For Insulin Pens
Do you get stressed out thinking about shopping for a great needles for insulin pens? Do doubts keep creeping into your mind? We understand, because weve already gone through the whole process of researching needles for insulin pens, which is why we have assembled a comprehensive list of the greatest needles for insulin pens available in the current market. Weve also come up with a list of questions that you probably have yourself.
Weve done the best we can with our thoughts and recommendations, but its still crucial that you do thorough research on your own for needles for insulin pens that you consider buying. Your questions might include the following:
- Is it worth buying an needles for insulin pens?
- What benefits are there with buying an needles for insulin pens?
- What factors deserve consideration when shopping for an effective needles for insulin pens?
- Why is it crucial to invest in any needles for insulin pens, much less the best one?
- Which needles for insulin pens are good in the current market?
- Where can you find information like this about needles for insulin pens?
Were convinced that you likely have far more questions than just these regarding needles for insulin pens, and the only real way to satisfy your need for knowledge is to get information from as many reputable online sources as you possibly can.
This technology we use to assemble our list depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the following:
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Tips On Using Insulin Pen Needles
There are a number of tips that insulin pen users typically pick up on pretty quickly once theyve started use:
- Quick stab. Many of us think that slowly easing the needle into the skin can make it hurt less, but thats not the case. It tends to hurt or at least be a bit more uncomfortable doing that. Just jab it into your skin, like youd rip a Band-Aid off quickly.
- Straight in, out. 90-degree angles are best. When inserting and removing from skin, dont twist the needle to any angle other than that, or youll find that it hurts.
- Room temp insulin. Most insulins, especially the long-acting basal insulins, can burn a bit upon injection if the liquid is cold, like when just removed from a refrigerator. If you can, let your insulin pen warm up a bit to room temperature before injecting.
- Relax. An instinct that many of us have when injecting is to clench or hold our breath, but healthcare professionals often point out how important it is to not tense up. Rather, take a deep breath or two before injecting. The more relaxed you are, the less youll feel the needle.
- Rotating sites. If we use the same spot on the skin too much, scar tissue can develop. So, keep track of where you inject insulin and rotate the sites accordingly. You can even find accessories like injection site temporary tattoos to help keep track of those spots.
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Dispose Of Them Properly
Perhaps the most common choice is simply disposal, as youll need to dispose of your used sharps anyway. In this case it is important to open the sharps and deposit them into the sharps container as opposed to simply placing them into the trash. Youll also want to find a location that offers sharps disposal. In many cases local pharmacies, fire stations, or public health centers will offer disposal services. From time to time there may be a fee associated with disposal of sharps.
What To Do With Unused Needles
Daily injections are a part of life for most surrogates. In the majority of surrogate medical cycles, the IVF doctor will ask our surrogates to administer one intramuscular shot per day over the course of the first ten to twelve weeks of the pregnancy. This necessitates the need for you to keep a large inventory of syringes and needles on hand during the medical cycle.
Once you are done with these injections and weaned from medications, it is typical for there to be several additional needles and syringes on hand. This excess supply often provides a conundrum for our surrogates: What to do with all of those unused needles?
The simple answer is this: You need to talk with your intended parents and/or case specialist first.
These needles and syringes are the property of your intended parents, as they purchased them for your use during the medical cycle of their surrogacy. No matter what you choose to do with the unused medical supplies and medications, this decision should be cleared with your intended parents first.
That said, there are a few common options for disposing of all of those unneeded needles and syringes.
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Cost And Buying Options
You do not need a prescription to buy insulin pen needles, but a prescription is required to get insurance coverage if youre going that route.
These needles are typically available at the local pharmacy or your mail order supply company. Some are also sold on Amazon or through third-party pharmacy distributors that offer diabetes supplies for home delivery. You cant typically buy these directly through the manufacturer, although one of the brands listed below does offer a special promotion for a free box of pen needles to try.
Prices vary based on the quantity purchased ranging from 30-count to 50, 90, and most commonly 100-count. You can find them online for as low as $4 for a small box for some of the generic off-brand versions, to $14 for the name brand versions with higher amounts inside.
State Guidelines For North Carolina
The Waste Management Division of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued the following guidelines for household-generated sharps: Household waste is not included in the definition of medical waste and is not subject to the medical waste management rules. However, home users of sharps are urged to place sharps in hard wall containers before disposal in order to protect garbage collectors from needle sticks
A few counties have imposed local restrictions on sharps disposed from private homes. Home healthcare agencies may find it prudent to assist in proper disposal of sharps used to administer care to patients in their homes. This is not specifically required by the rules. Used needles from farms are subject to the rules and are not considered household waste. Such waste is more similar to veterinary waste than household waste.
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Gauges And Needle Length
The measurements of needles relate to how long the needle is. When a needles measurement is 31G, the G refers to the gauge of the needle. This donates the thickness, size, or capacity.
The gauge and needle length will contribute to perceptions of pain when injecting.
The longer the needle is, the harder it is to pressurise the insulin through so it needs a bigger hole down the middle.
What Are Insulin Pen Needles
Insulin pen needles attach to an insulin pen, which is a device used to deliver insulin to the subcutaneous tissue in your body. Insulin pens are easy to use and are often more convenient than traditional insulin syringes because the pen contains a pre-filled amount of insulin with a dial to choose the correct dose.
You can use a disposable insulin pen , or refillable with a replaceable insulin cartridge.
Whether you use a disposable or reusable pen, the needle should be replaced with each use.
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What Gauge Are Insulin Needles
Needles for insulin come in different lengths and gauges. While the length determines how deep it can penetrate, the gauge refers to the thickness and it ranges between 27 and 32, the latter being the thinnest. Thin insulin needles are more comfortable but thicker ones administer insulin faster and are usually recommended for larger doses. Becton Dickinson produces the smallest insulin syringe needle sizes you can get, sold as BD ULTRA-FINE Nano Pen Needle 5/32″ 32g.
How To Change An Insulin Pen Needle
Changing your insulin pen needle can be done in just a few easy steps:
Step 1. Wash your hands with soap and water to decrease risk of infection.
Step 2. When you are ready to use your insulin pen, remove the pen cap and use an alcohol prep pad or cotton ball soaked in alcohol to clean the rubber end of your insulin pen.
Step 3. Take out a new pen needle and remove the paper safety tab from the bottom. Press the outer cap straight on to the insulin pen and turn clockwise until tightened. The outer cap should be snug on the pen but not too tight. Remove the outer cap, and your insulin pen needle is now ready for use.
Insulin pen needles should not be left on the pen when not in use, so always remove the needle after use.
To remove the needle, first replace the outer cap securely on the needle. Then remove the needle by turning the outer cap counterclockwise until it is easily removed from the pen. Discard the outer cap containing the inner needle properly in a sharps container specifically designed for this purpose.
After removing the needle, use an alcohol prep pad or cotton ball soaked in alcohol to clean the rubber end of your insulin pen. Replace the pen cap and store your insulin pen for your next use.
Replacing your insulin pen needle with each use is important because it reduces the chances of:
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Buyer’s Guide And Faqs About Insulin Pen Needles
At Hospitals Store you will get the most up-to-date top-selling Insulin Pen Needles for hospitals in India with the latest discounted price. Here we are listing some Insulin Pen Needles of October 2022, available in the Indian market to assist you in finding the best deal and model.
List-Top-selling Insulin Pen Needles:-
How Do I Choose An Insulin Syringe
When choosing insulin syringes, take into account the amount of insulin you need to inject at one time. There is no point in buying a large syringe if your dose is small, as a smaller insulin syringe will be more accurate and easier to measure. At the same time, the syringe should be big enough to fit your entire dose. Also, if you need to mix two types of insulin in the syringe, you should opt for a larger size. Insulin syringes come in three sizes: 0.3 ml , 0.5 ml , and 1 ml . You should also make sure the markings on the syringe are clear. If you have poor eyesight, insulin pens might be a better choice. Insulin syringes aren’t the only thing to consider, as the needle length and gauge are also important for your comfort and precise injections. If unsure, ask your healthcare professional and they will guide you in terms of needle length and the appropriate injection technique for you.
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How To Dispose Of Pen Needles
These needles may be tiny, but theyre still considered hazardous medical waste and should be disposed of in official sharps containers. Local communities and states have varying disposal rules, sometimes allowing you to include these in sharps containers to put out for recycling just like insulin syringes.
You can read our DiabetesMine guide to disposing of used diabetes supplies, which includes these important tips:
- Never throw loose pen needles into the trash or directly into a recycling container.
- Put the used pen needle into a home sharps container, or something similar that follows your local rules on properly disposing of used sharps objects.
- You can clip the needle with a special needle-clipping device, such as the BD Safe-Clip. Those can be picked up your local pharmacy or ordered online.
- If you inject someone else or dispose of their pen needle, use extreme caution to avoid getting pricked, which can transmit infections.
Dont Forget The Needles
Once youve picked your pen, youll need a needle for the tip. Pen needles screw onto the top of an insulin pen. Its good practice to change your needle after each injection or at least once daily. Fresh, sharp needles mean shots that are less painful.
Most brands of pen needles will fit any of the insulin pens. Pen needles come in different lengthsbetween 4 and 12 mmand gauges .
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All About Insulin Pen Needles
If you happen to use an insulin pen or are thinking of starting on one, dont forget to pay attention to your choice of tiny needles that are screwed on to the top of the pen device.
These small sharp needles in plastic casing, designed specifically for insulin pens, tend to be of the most overlooked and least-discussed diabetes supplies although theyre critical for pen users.
Heres a guide to the different types of pen needles available, how they are sized and why that matters, and details including pricing for some of the most popular brands.