Humalog Pen Instructions
Humalog pens are fast-acting insulin injectors diabetics use before or right after mealtime. Diabetics must follow a series of steps involved with preparing, setting and injecting an insulin dose. These steps are straightforward and their sequence is easy to master. Your doctor will walk you through the order of necessary steps, which you can easily memorize after repeated injections. Do not use a Humalog pen during periods of low blood sugar. Some users may also experience an allergic reaction to the Humalog brand of insulin.
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Things You'll Need
- Humalog pen
- Humalog insulin
- Alcohol swabs
- Puncture-resistant needle container
Instructions
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1
Pull the cap off. Roll the pen back and forth between your hands approximately 10 times, then gently shake the pen approximately 10 times to ensure that the insulin is thoroughly mixed.
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2
Clean the rubber seal on the end of the pen by wiping it with an alcohol swab.
Take the paper tab off of the outer needle shield and attach the needle cap to the end of the pen with a clockwise twist.
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3
Grip the pen in your hand with the needle in an upright position, then remove the outer needle shield. Place this outer needle shield to the side for later use.
Take the inner needle shield off and throw away.
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4
Check to ensure that the arrow symbol on your pen is aligned with the center of the dose window on your pen.
If the arrow isn't aligned with the center of the dose window, push the injection button in and turn the dose knob until the arrow aligns correctly.
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5
Pull the dose knob outward in the direction of the arrow until you see "0" in the dose window.
Slowly turn the dose knob in a clockwise direction until you see a "2" in the dose window
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6
Grip the pen in your hand with the needle in an upright position and gently tap the transparent cartridge holder to send any air bubbles to the top of the cartridge.
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7
Push the injection button in with your thumb while counting slowly to 5. Insulin should stream out of the needle, meaning your pen is primed and ready.
If insulin does not come out of the needle, repeat all of the steps following the hand washing.
After you have completed this step, you should see a diamond symbol in the dose window. If the symbol is not there, continue pressing on the injection button.
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8
Rotate the dose knob clockwise until the arrow is once again in the dose window and the notches on the dose knob are aligned with the notches on the pen.
Pull the dose knob outward in the direction of the arrow until you see "0" in the dose window, then turn the dose knob clockwise until you see the appropriate dose level appear in the dose window.
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9
Wash your hands, swab the area to be injected with an alcohol swab, and insert the needle into your skin. Push the injection button with your thumb, then continue to hold the button while slowly counting to 5.
A diamond symbol will appear in the dose window when the you have injected the full dosage.
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10
Turn the needle cap counterclockwise to remove it from the pen. Store the used needle in a puncture-resistant container. When the container is full after repeated injections, dispose of the container according to local waste removal ordinances.
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Tips & Warnings
Never reuse needles when using the Humalog pen. A new needle should always be used for each injection.
Do not change the dosage after you've started injecting the insulin, as you may end up getting too much or too little insulin.
References
- Photo Credit special syringe for insuline injections image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
