[Music]
you will begun taking insulin by
injecting it with a needle into the
subcutaneous tissue to determine when
you should inject insulin pay attention
to the times you check your blood sugar
when you eat and what kind of insulin
you are taking check your blood sugar no
more than thirty minutes before you eat
if you are taking rapid-acting insulin
before meals give yourself the insulin
when you sit down to eat if you are
taking regular insulin before meals give
yourself the insulin no more than thirty
minutes before the meal if you are
taking intermediate acting or
long-acting insulin give yourself the
insulin at the same time each day there
is no standard or typical dose of
insulin your dose will be the amount of
insulin that you need in order to keep
your blood sugar and good control your
doctor will prescribe an insulin dose
that is right for you
the most common side effect of insulin
is low blood sugar or hypoglycemia low
blood sugar happens when the level of
sugar in the blood falls below 70
milligrams per deciliter
symptoms include sleepiness shaking
sweating dizziness and hunger be sure
you know how to treat low blood sugar
before you start using insulin
[Music]
an insulin injection delivers medicine
into the subcutaneous tissue which is
the tissue between your skin and muscle
subcutaneous tissue which is also called
sub Q is found all over your body your
healthcare provider has chosen insulin
injections that are done with a syringe
that is filled from a bottle of insulin
as the best option for you
here are the steps you will take select
a clean dry work area the supplies you
will need include the prescribed bottle
of insulin an insulin syringe alcohol
wipes and a container for used equipment
you can use a hard plastic container
with a screw on or tight lid or a
commercial sharps container begin by
washing your hands if the bottle of
insulin appears cloudy roll the bottle
in your hands and turn it from side to
side for one full minute you do not have
to roll the bottle if the insulin is
completely clear do not shake the bottle
if opening a new bottle of insulin
remove the plastic cap and wipe the top
of the bottle with an alcohol wipe if
using a bottle of insulin that has
already been open you will still need to
wipe the top or rubber stopper with an
alcohol wipe remove the caps from both
the top and bottom of the insulin
syringe you may need to twist the cap to
get it to come off more easily do not
touch the needle pull back on the
plunger to the unit mark for the insulin
dose that has been ordered for you put
the bottle on the table insert the
needle straight into the top of the
bottle through the rubber stopper push
the plunger down to inject the air into
the bottle turn the bottle upside down
with a needle still in it hold the
bottle at eye level make sure the tip of
the needle is in the insulin make sure
not to bend the needle when picking up
the bottle pull the plunger back to the
unit mark for the insulin dose ordered
for you if you see bubbles in the
syringe gently tap on the syringe so the
bubbles move to the top push the syringe
to release the bubbles back into the
bottle of insulin once again with the
needle in the insulin pull the plunger
back to the unit mark for
insulin dose that has been ordered for
you check that the dose is correct set
the syringe down without letting the
needle touch anything
[Music]
you
[Music]
since you will be injecting your insulin
on a regular basis you need to know
where on your body to inject it you will
also need to learn how to rotate or
switch your injection sites recommended
injection sites include the abdomen
front and side of the thighs upper and
outer arms and buttocks do not inject
near joints the groin area the navel the
middle of the abdomen or scar tissue if
you use the same injection site over and
over again you may get hardened areas
under your skin that keep the insulin
from working properly rotating your
injection sites will make your
injections easier safer and more
comfortable follow these guidelines ask
your health care provider which sites
you should use the injection site is
about two inches of skin clean this area
in a circular motion with an alcohol
wipe move the site of each injection
inject at least one and a half inches
away from the last spot where you
injected try to inject in the same
general area of your body at the same
time each day keep a record of which
injection sites you have used every time
you give yourself an injection write
down the date time and site please note
depending on which type of insulin you
are taking absorption may be different
for different parts of the body talk to
your healthcare provider to learn more
about the insulin you are using and
which sites work best
[Music]
using the hand you write with hold the
syringe like a pen or a pencil with the
needle end down with your other hand
pinch about two to three inches on both
sides of the Cleanskin insert the needle
with a quick motion into the pinched
skin at a ninety degree angle the needle
should go all the way into your skin
slowly push the plunger of the syringe
until all of the insulin is pushed out
stop pinching your skin and pull the
needle out you may bleed at the spot of
the injection if you notice bleeding
apply pressure with a clean alcohol
white or cotton ball cover the injection
site with a bandage if necessary drop
the entire syringe a needle into your
container for use sharps equipment do
not put the cap back on the needle
[Music]
it's important to remember that when
storing your insulin that you store
unopened bottles in the refrigerator
unopened insulin that is stored in the
refrigerator will be good until the
expiration date printed on the box write
the date on the bottle when you first
open it store the bottle you are using
at room temperature
avoid temperatures that are too hot or
too cold this can change how the insulin
works most insulin is good for 28 days
once it's opened check with your
pharmacist or read the drug insert for
exact instructions always check your
medicine type and the expiration date
printed on the box before you leave the
pharmacy do not use insulin if it has
lumps is discolored or has been frozen
place used insulin syringes and lancets
for blood sugar testing in a hard
plastic or metal container with a screw
on or tight lid or a commercial sharps
container if you have questions about
the subcutaneous injection procedure
please ask your health care providers
thank you again for choosing Cleveland
Clinic for your care