Patient/caregiver was instructed upon precautions to be observed while taking insulin as follows:
- While injecting insulin into the abdominal fat, avoid injecting it into the 5 cm area around the umbilicus, as medication injected here is poorly absorbed, thus compromising the therapeutic benefit.
- Keep a close watch on the previous skin sites insulin was administered. Note for the development of scar tissue or lumpy masses at these injection sites. Going forward, avoid administering insulin into these altered skin sites, as it could affect the absorption of insulin from this site into the blood, compromise the action of the medication, and thus, lead to poor blood sugar control.
- Irrespective to the site of insulin administration, inject the medication at least 1cm away from the previous injection site. Observing one finger breadth away from the previous injection site could be a rough estimate. Frequent changing of the insulin administration site can offer the previous injection site a chance to heal. Observing compliance with guidelines on insulin injection site rotation can help prevent development of lumpy masses at these injection sites.
- Usually, once opened or used, insulin vials or pens will be good for use for a time period ranging about 1 – 2 months. The expiration date on insulins can vary depending on the type of insulin being used. Keep a close watch on the expiration date marked on the insulin vial or insulin pen before each insulin administration.
