Temporary Pens: These are made of plastic with the insulin already filled in. However the pen needles have to be fitted separately. The pen has a colour-coded knob representing a particular type of insulin or a combination, e.g. yellow represents ‘short acting’ insulin. The pen has units marked on it denoting a particular dose level. The pen has to be adjusted to the recommended dose, and is then injected at the injection site. Once all the insulin is used up, the pen is to be discarded.
Permanent Pens: These are made of metal and are slightly heavier. The cartridges filled with insulin are separately available. The pen has to be fitted with these cartridges and used in the same manner as the temporary pen. Once a cartridge is fully used, new cartridges are fitted and the pen can be reused.
Advantages:
- It is user- friendly
- It is less painful
- It can be injected anywhere, at an airport or a party, hence is suitable for any busy person
Disadvantages:
- It is comparatively expensive
- It may be confusing to an ordinary person
- It cannot be used by the visually challenged
- It may not be easily available
