If you are diabetic and need insulin every single day, then you must be familiar with the wide variety of devices employed for insulin administration. These include insulin syringes, pens, jets, pumps, etc. Among these, some are conventionally used while others are comparatively novel. Therefore, their efficacies as well as features are often debated. One such comparison is made between insulin syringes vs insulin pens.
In the present article, let us go through the insulin syringes vs insulin pens, their pros and cons, as well as their notable differences. Additionally, a section on some of the reliable brands of insulin syringes vs insulin pens has also been added.
What are Insulin Syringes?
Insulin syringes are the conventional tools that are employed to deliver insulin subcutaneously i.e. under the skin. These syringes are smaller in size, have graduations on them for dose estimation, and are easy to use.
Being made up of polypropylene, these syringes are pressure-resistant and do not break easily. With a needle of the right length as well as gauge size, an insulin syringe can deliver insulin effectively.
Types of Insulin Syringes
Insulin syringes come in different barrel sizes so that different insulin units can be administered with them. These sizes can be divided into 3 categories and each of these requires a needle of specific length and gauge size. These different sizes of insulin syringes as well as the respective needle lengths and gauge sizes needed with them have been enlisted in the following table:
| Barrel Capacity | Insulin Units (IU) | Needle Length | Needle Gauge | |
| 0.3 ml | < 30 | 3/16 inches | 5 mm | 28 |
| 0.5 ml | 30 to 50 | 5/16 inches | 8 mm | 29, 30 |
| 1.0 ml | > 50 | ½ inches | 12.7 mm | 31 |
Pros
The insulin syringes have been in use since the administration of insulin to the diabetic patients has started. Still, some of their features are unmatched by the newly introduced devices. These include the following:
- Insulin syringes are easy to use. The patient or the caregiver can quickly learn how to measure the insulin units using an insulin syringe.
- Due to their smaller size, it is easy to handle an insulin syringe during use.
- As the insulin syringes are extremely light in weight, the patients can travel with them conveniently.
- Insulin syringes are inexpensive and therefore extremely budget-friendly as compared to more expensive options such as insulin pens, insulin pumps, etc.
- Some versions of the insulin syringe needles come with a silicone coating on them to ease the insertion and subsequently reduce the pain and discomfort associated with the process.
Cons
Despite their multiple advantages, the insulin syringes also have the following drawbacks:
- With the use of insulin syringes, the chances of inaccuracy in dosing are relatively higher.
- The method of administering insulin via an injection is slower and takes more time.
- As the needle of an insulin syringe can rupture body tissues, there is a higher risk of injuries accompanied by complications.
- The patients are more likely to feel pain and discomfort after using an insulin syringe.
- The risk of needlestick injuries is higher for both the patient as well as the caregiver or physicians.
What are Insulin Pens?
An insulin pen is either a disposable or a reusable insulin delivery system that comes with pre-filled medication. Its job is to deliver a specified amount of insulin to the body when the dose is injected. An insulin pen has a cartridge, a dial that measures the dose, and a disposable needle.
Using an insulin pen is simple as one simply has to load a new needle into the pen, prime the pen by removing air bubbles, select the dose to be prescribed, and inject it subcutaneously.
Types of Insulin Pen Devices
Insulin pen devices are available in two versions and one can choose depending upon their needs:
Disposable Insulin Pens
As soon as the reservoir runs out of insulin, a disposable insulin pen is discarded as there is no way of replacing the reservoir.
Reusable Insulin Pens
In these types of pens, the reservoir can be replaced with a new cartridge and the pen becomes functional again.
Pros
Insulin pens provide several advantages which include the following:
- Unlike insulin syringes, there is no need to load the medication into the insulin pen. Rather, these come pre-filled and deliver the right amount of insulin whenever the pen is used.
- In comparison to insulin syringes or vials, an insulin pen ensures dose accuracy.
- It is easy and less time-consuming to administer an insulin dose using a pen rather than a syringe or vial.
- Due to their compact size, these insulin pens are easy to store, carry around, and travel with.
- The administration of insulin doses with insulin pens causes less pain and the patient feels much more comfortable.
- With the use of insulin pens, the time required to administer an insulin dose is significantly lessened.
- Some insulin pens are color-coded so that the patients can recognize which pen holds which type of insulin.
- Some insulin pens also come with a digital application that keeps track of your dosing interval.
- As these devices are appealing as well as easy to use unlike insulin syringes, the insulin pen users do not feel uncomfortable while using them in public.
Cons
The insulin pens have the following disadvantages:
- With the use of an insulin pen, there is a higher chance that some of the medication might get wasted every time the pen is employed during insulin therapy.
- A single insulin pen carries only a single type of insulin and a combination of different kinds of products cannot be administered using the device.
- The cost of an insulin pen is much higher than that of an insulin syringe. This means these pens are not budget-friendly for everyone. However, your insurance provider can guide you if the cost of insulin pens can be covered or not.
Insulin Syringes vs Insulin Pens: What is the Difference?
The insulin syringes vs insulin pens have a lot in common but they do differ on many grounds. The following table presents a comprehensive comparison of the features of insulin syringes vs insulin pens:
| Features | Insulin Syringes | Insulin Pens |
| Ease of usage | ✔ | ✔ |
| Training needed before use | ✔ | ✘ |
| Pre-filled insulin | ✘ | ✔ |
| Frequency of usage | Single-use/disposable | Both disposable and reusable options are available |
| Portability | ✔ | ✔ |
| Glycemic control | High | High |
| Usage by visually impaired patients | ✘ | ✔ |
| Cost-effectiveness | ✔ | ✘ |
Insulin Syringes vs Insulin Pens at Health Supply 770: Products and Features
Insulin syringes vs insulin pens are the tools that are needed by diabetics to manage their blood glucose level by injecting insulin subcutaneously. Both of these devices are effective, easy to use, and budget-friendly for different patients.
To fulfill their higher demand, many companies manufacture and market insulin syringes vs insulin pens. In this regard, many different kinds of insulin syringes vs insulin pens as well as their accessories are available at the Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their prices and purchase links:
True Comfort Pro Insulin Syringes 30G ½ cc and 1 cc
$159.88
$159.88
Product Details
True Comfort Pro insulin syringes are a product of Home Aide Diagnostics, Inc. These are available in different barrel sizes which come with different needle lengths and gauge sizes. In the above-linked products, the gauge sizes are 30 G while the volume capacities of the products are ½ cc and 1 cc respectively.
The needles attached to these True Comfort insulin syringes are half an inch long. Each box of these products contains 100 units at the above-mentioned price which makes them inexpensive and highly affordable. As these syringes are sold over-the-counter (OTC), they can be bought without a prescription either from a nearby pharmacy or online from reliable suppliers like the Health Supply 770.
Easy Comfort Pro Insulin Syringes 30G ½ cc ½” and 31G ½ cc 5/16”
$156.00
$162.88
Easy Comfort Insulin Syringe 31G 1/2CC 5/16″
Product Details
Easy Comfort Pro insulin syringes are one of the most widely used products in this domain. Their gauge size is 30 G and 31 G and their volume capacities are ½ cc. These syringes come with finer needles which do not cause pain and discomfort during insulin administration.
The lengths of the needles are ½ inches and 5/16 inches. These Easy Comfort pro insulin syringes come in individualized packaging so that they do not become contaminated before the packaging is opened at the time of use.
Cardinal 8881893010 Safety Insulin Syringe With Needle Magellan™ 1 ML 5/16 Inch 30 Gauge Sliding Safety Needle Regular Wall 500/CS
$299.88
Product Details
Cardinal safety insulin single-use syringes by Magellan have a gauge size of 30 G. These devices are pre-sterilized and have a needle length of 5/16 inches. The needles are constructed with stainless steel while the syringes are made up of medical-grade polypropylene plastic.
The volume capacity of these Cardinal safety insulin syringes is up to 1 ml. Owing to their clear appearance, the graduations on the syringes can be visualized easily and thus ensure high readability.
Easy Comfort Insulin Pen Needles 32G 4mm
$373.88
Product Details
Easy Comfort insulin pen needles have a gauge size of 32 G and have a thickness of 4 mm (millimeters) or 5/32”. These are finer in appearance and do not cause pain and discomfort when used with an insulin pen.
As the product is disposable, a single needle cannot be used more than once and must be discarded after use. These pen needles are designed in a way that they can be attached to most insulin pen brands. Each box of Easy Comfort insulin pen needles contains 100 pieces.
Pro Comfort Insulin Pen Needles 32G 4mm
$373.88
Product Details
Pro Comfort insulin pen needles have a gauge size of 32G. As for their needle length, these are 4mm in size. The products are disposable and cannot be used for more than once even for the same patient.
Due to their finer construction, these Pro Comfort insulin pen needles ensure pain-free insulin delivery. A single box of Pro Comfort insulin pen needles contains 100 units.
BD 329515 Insulin Pen Needle AutoShield Duo 30 Gauge 5 Mm Length Automatic Locking Shield 800/CS
$776.88
Product Details
BD 329515 insulin pen needles by AutoShield Duo are a product of BD. These devices have 30 G needles which are 5 mm long. The construction material of these needles is stainless steel which ensures strength, reliability, and resistance against corrosion.
These BD 329515 insulin pen needles by AutoShield Duo are disposable and can only be used once. Their automatic locking shield helps the needle get locked perfectly with the insulin pen. This way, the needle does not dislocate during usage.
*Note: The prices of the insulin syringes vs insulin pens mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary depending on the vendor.
All types of insulin syringes vs insulin pens mentioned in the article, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770 (https://hs770.com/), a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the links given in the article to check out the wide range of insulin syringes vs insulin pens.
Bottom Line
Patients who are suffering from diabetes mellitus often require a daily dose of insulin before every meal. For this purpose, the employment of insulin syringes vs insulin pens becomes necessary. Between these two, one has to choose based on their requirements, the number of insulin units to be administered, the frequency of insulin administration per day, as well as the suggestions of their physician.
Overall, both insulin syringes vs insulin pens are reliable and efficient products and ease the insulin administration experience for many. For purchasing different kinds of insulin syringes vs insulin pens, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
