8
nsulin pen needles and
disposable syringes come in a
variety of lengths and widths.
Your healthcare team should be able
to advise what size is best for you
- we recommend using 4mm
needles and no more than 5mm.
But, remember, when it comes to
injecting, much to do with reducing
any likely pain is to get the right kit
and the right technique. Be careful
not to fall into bad habits as they
might lead to injection site
infection. So, use new needles for
each injection and don't inject
through clothing.
If you're an 'old hand' at injecting, it
might be worth a quick refresher on
'best practice' to make sure you're
doing it right. See page XX for the
steps to success.
We take you through the long and short of insulin pen needles to help you get the
right fit for your needs.
BD (Becton Dickinson) is a leading
brand in the science of needle
technology, launching the first
smallest needle at only 4mm as part
of its Micro-Fine Ultra insulin pen
needle range. The shortness helps
guarantee that insulin injections are
subcutaneous (under the skin) and
not intra-muscular. Also, the shorter
needle actually removes the need to
pinch a fold of skin - one less thing
to do to achieve a successful
injection. These also have extra thin
wall technology - the five bevels
give less resistance going through
the skin, making it the injection
more comfortable.
The 4mm needle is inserted at a 90°
angle, which is nice and simple as
well as relatively comfortable as far
as the injecting experience goes.
Easy injecting means one less thing
to go wrong with that aspect of
diabetes control. The rest of the BD
range includes BD Micro-Fine+
0.25mm (31G), TW (thin wall
technology), 5mm; BD Micro-Fine+
0.25mm (31G), TW, 8mm; BD MicroFine+
0.33mm (29G).
BD also has another range - Viva
Pen Needles - designed to improve
comfort. They come sizes 4mm
Most of these needle ranges fit on
most insulin injection pens and all
are available on prescription.
SOME OF THE BEST
BD OWEN MUMFORD
Owen Mumford's Unifine Pentips are
ultra-thin pen needles. They feature
a silicone lubricating coating which
is designed for maximum comfort -
so less pain while injecting.
The pentips fit quickly and easily to
virtually all insulin and other drug
delivery pens including Owen
Mumford's own Autopen. The tip of
each needle is triple sharpened
allowing optimal injections and
reducing the risk of pain. The range
comes in the following sizes: 4mm x
32G and 33G, 5mm x 30G and 31G,
6mm x 31G, 8mm x 31G and 12mm x
29G.
Owen Mumford has also launched
GETTING THE NEEDLE
I
(32G), 5mm (31G), 6mm (31G) and
8mm (32G).
www.bd.com/en-uk
BD's 4mm Micro-Fine+