Insulin Therapy

Insulin Therapy

Multiple injections of insulin are required each day for many types of diabetes. Frequency of insulin depends on the intensity of therapy needed. Minimal therapy involves one to two injections per day of intermediate acting and rapid acting insulin, intensive therapy requires more than three injections of intermediate acting or ultralente insulin plus rapid acting insulin or continuous infusion.

Injections should be given approximately 45 minutes prior to meal time to allow the insulin to reach the bloodstream before the food causes blood glucose levels to rise. Rapid acting insulin analogs reach the bloodstream within minutes and can be taken as soon as 15 minutes prior to eating. Intermediate acting insulin reaches the blood more slowly, but maximum duration times can be 16 to 20 hours, meaning fewer injections. Less complex insulin regimens or oral medications are used with some types of diabetes. Injections are usually self administered using syringes, automatic injectors, infusers, jet injectors, or pen injectors. As noted earlier, insulin therapy can also be administered by way of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. It also requires an insulin pump, which is worn on the belt, to deliver insulin by way of a small tube inserted under the skin.