The Best Pen Needles

Many diabetics require the use of an insulin pen. The invention of smaller gauge, shorter needles have made the use of insulin pens less painful. Several factors should be considered before choosing the best pen needle for you. Your physical build and amount of body fat are important when choosing needle length. A click-on pen needle attachment may be a better choice than the screw-on type for those with dexterity or vision issues, such as arthritis. People requiring large doses of insulin may require a larger gauge needle to allow the insulin to flow quicker with less manual pressure on the pen. Consult your physician before making a purchase.

BD Ultra-Fine III Mini

• The BD Ultra-Fine III Mini pen needle is a 3/16-inch, 31-gauge needle designed to be used in several insulin delivery pens: BD Pen, Humulin Pen, Humalog Pen, InnoLet, Innovo, InDuo, NovoPen Junior, NovoPen 3ml and the FlexPen. The American Diabetes Wholesale Company claims this to be the shortest and thinnest insulin pen needle in the world, as of 2010. Safe for children and adults, this needle provides reliable injections with no "pinch-up" of the skin needed. The American Diabetes Wholesale Company recommends consulting your doctor before switching to a shorter needle.

Novo Nordisk

• The Novo Nordisk company offers three fine pen needles designed for their own insulin delivery systems. The NovoFine 32-gauge, 6-mm pen needle is claimed to be the thinnest one available in the United States as of 2010, according to Novo Nordisk. They claim the NovoFine 30 needle to be their best-selling pen needle in the United States, as of 2010. The NovoFine Autocover 30-gauge needle has a shield that hides the needle, before and after use. According to Novo Nordisk, the Autocover may reduce needle anxiety and reduce accidental needle sticks.

Clickfine

• Clickfine pen needles come in three sizes that are compatible with all major brands of insulin pens. This needle clicks on instead of twisting on but must be twisted to remove it. The Clickfine Company recommends using each needle only once. Insulin should be injected at room temperature and the site of injection should be changed regularly to avoid tissue hardening. Clickfine claims that the majority of participants in their independently conducted research trials preferred click-on needles over twist-on.