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What Is the Proper Way to Give Insulin Shots?

Insulin is normally produced in the pancreas of healthy individuals. Those with type 1 diabetes do not make insulin or do not make enough to take care of their body's needs. Type 2 diabetes has impaired insulin use in the body. Type 1 diabetics will always need insulin to survive while type 2 diabetics may be able to control their condition with diet and exercise. Taking insulin correctly can help stabilize and control blood sugar. The proper way to give an insulin shot is listed on the American Diabetes Association website.

  1. Insulin Shot Preparation

    • Wash your hands and get everything needed for the shot. Check to make sure the insulin is not out-of-date. Wipe the rubber insulin bottle cover and your injection site with alcohol and let dry. Pull plunger of the syringe back to the amount of insulin that needs to be taken. Put needle into bottle's rubber cover, turn upside down with the tip of the needle in the insulin, and press the plunger to remove air. Pull back again the amount of insulin needed and remove needle. Tap to release air bubbles and press plunger to remove air.

    Giving an Insulin Shot

    • Pinch the skin where the injection is going to be, making sure it is fat tissue not muscle. Shots can be given in the abdomen, thighs or upper arms. Put needle 90 degrees to skin and press quickly into the body. If less than an inch of skin is used (on a very thin person) put needle at 45 degrees and press into the body. Depress the plunger of insulin into the body slowly after needle is in. Leave needle in for five seconds after complete depression of plunger then remove needle, pressing injection spot gently to avoid insulin from "leaking". Dispose of needles in a sharps container.

    Insulin Shot Tips

    • Two important parts of insulin shots are site rotation and timing. Insulin should not be given in the same spot multiple times without rotation or else lumps and fat deposits can develop and make the shot less reliable. The ADA recommends injecting in the same general area, but not the same exact spot over and over again. Timing the shot means having the insulin begin its work when the food enters the body. An example would be taking short acting insulin (i.e. Humulin, Novolin) 30 minutes prior to eatingso that it starts working at around the same time eating has begun.

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