Understanding Your Insulin Delivery Options

The different types of insulin available and the way they’re delivered can be confusing. We’re here to help with what to talk to your doctor about, what types of insulin are available, and the ways that insulin can be delivered.

What type of insulin delivery should I use?

Your doctor will help you choose the type of insulin and delivery method that’s best for your needs and will help you reach your blood glucose (blood sugar) targets. Talk to your doctor about:

• Cost and insurance coverage 
• Needle anxiety or shyness around administering insulin 
• Your lifestyle, including if you are in sports or physically active 
• Your struggles with low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) or high blood glucose (hyperglycemia)

After you and your doctor understand your preferences, you’ll discuss the options that will work best for you.

Learn more about the types of insulin available by visiting our Insulin Basics page.

Insulin Delivery Options

Liquid insulin can be injected or delivered into the fatty tissue under the skin of your abdomen, thigh, or arm using a syringe, insulin pen, or insulin pump. Inhaled insulin comes as a powder that’s breathed in through your mouth using an inhaler. Take a closer look at these options for insulin delivery. 

Insulin Vial and Syringe

To deliver insulin with a syringe, you need to draw insulin from a vial into the syringe, using the markings on the syringe to measure the right dose. 

Features:

• Is usually the most affordable delivery option 
• Allows for mixing different types of insulin

Things to think about:

• It can be hard to hold the syringe and vial, draw insulin, or inject your dose
• You may have trouble reading units on the syringe
• Syringes and vials can be harder to bring with you since they take up more space

Insulin Pens

Insulin pens look like large regular pens and come pre-filled with insulin or replaceable insulin cartridges. You set your dose using a dial and inject it into your skin. 

Features:

• Are small and easy to take with you
• Look like a regular pen
• Set your dose using a dial, so it's easier and more accurate 

Things to think about:

• It can be more expensive than using a syringe and vial 
• It only comes with commonly mixed insulins and ratios

Learn more about insulin pens. 

Inhaled Insulin

Inhaled insulin is a rapid-acting powder that you breathe into your lungs using a small inhaler. The insulin comes in cartridges that are used with the inhaler, and the dose you inhale is based on the units that each cartridge holds. You may need to use more than one cartridge for your dose. 

• Features:Doesn’t use a needle to deliver insulin- providing a pain-free delivery 
• Can reduce anxiety over needles

Things to think about:

• You still need a long-acting insulin
• You can’t use inhaled insulin if you have certain lung conditions, like asthma or COPD

You can learn more by watching this video or by reading more on inhaled insulin.

Insulin Pumps

Insulin pumps are small devices worn on or attached to your body. They deliver a steady stream of rapid-acting insulin through a tiny tube (cannula) placed under your skin. You can also add bolus insulin when needed and can adjust the basal insulin delivered. 

Features:

• Don’t need to use syringes or insulin pens as often
• Have very precise dosing 

Things to think about:

• They need to be worn almost all the time
• You can develop skin infections at the infusion site
• Your insurance plan may not cover them

Read more about insulin pumps.

Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) Systems

AID systems are worn on your body and combine an insulin pump with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The system automatically adjusts the insulin delivered based on your blood glucose levels.

Features:

• Reduce the amount of insulin delivered automatically to prevent low blood glucose 
• Increase insulin delivered automatically to correct high blood glucose (hyperglycemia)

Things to think about:

• You may still need to make manual changes for meals and physical activity
• You will need to wear two devices almost all the time 

Learn more about insulin by visiting our Insulin Basics page.