How to Use Your Insulin Pens

The new style of pens are fairly simple to use:

• Twist or snap on a new needle
• Dial a dose
• Wipe the injection site with an alcohol pad
• Inject your medicine
• Wait 10 seconds and pull out the needle

Tips for Taking Medications On Time

• Take your medication at the same time every day.
• Make taking your medications part of a daily routine, like after brushing your teeth or eating breakfast.
• Use a pill container. Some types have sections for multiple doses at different times, such as morning, lunch, evening, and night. (MetroHealth offers free Compliant Dose Packaging, which sends medications to you in day and evening packs. See below for more info.)
• Purchase timer caps for your pill bottles and set them to go off when your next dose is due. Some pill boxes also have timer functions.
• When traveling, take enough of your medication, plus a few days extra, in case your return is delayed.
• If you’re flying, keep your medication in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost.

Tips for Using Your Insulin Pens

1. If they’re refrigerated, take them out 30 minutes before you inject
2. Ask your pharmacist how to use the insulin pen if you have questions. They know how to use all kinds of pens and autoinjectors.
3. Dispose of your needles in a sharps container.

Video Help Via Smartphone or Tablet

Each prescription medication filled by MetroHealth Pharmacy has a special QR code that will link you to a video on how to use your medication.

Here’s how it works:

1. Open your tablet or smartphone camera
2. Hold your device over the QR code displayed on your prescription bottle
3. Click on the pop-up link
4. Watch and listen to a pharmacist tell you all you need to know about your medication and disease state
5. Interact with one-click access to your MetroHealth pharmacy, medication reminders and additional healthcare resources