Why are insulin syringes graduated in units instead of milliliter?

Insulin syringes are graduated in units instead of milliliters because the dosing of insulin is prescribed in units rather than volume, allowing for greater precision in insulin administration and reducing the risk of medication errors.

Each unit of insulin is equivalent to a specific amount of insulin hormone. The precise unit measurement ensures that the patient receives an accurate and consistent dose of insulin, even when using different insulin concentrations.

On the other hand, milliliters measure volume, and the insulin concentration may vary between different insulin preparations. Therefore, using milliliters could introduce confusion and increase the risk of dosing errors. By calibrating insulin syringes in units, healthcare professionals and patients can easily and accurately measure and administer the prescribed insulin dose without the need for complex calculations.