Blood glucose and free insulin levels after the administration of insulin by conventional syringe or jet injector in insulin treated type 2 diabetics.

UNLABELLED

The levels of blood glucose and free insulin were compared in 20 diabetic subjects (type 2) receiving one dose of a combination of fast-acting and intermediary-acting insulins in the morning by means of a needle syringe or a jet injector (SICIM, Italy), using minimum possible injecting power. A shift to the left in the free insulin profile, consequential to different pharmacokinetic characteristics of insulin when administered by means of a jet injector, was observed, although no significant differences were seen for free insulin levels. Statistically significantly higher blood glucose values (P less than 0.05) were recorded 6 and 9 h after insulin administration by means of a jet injector, as well as statistically significant higher MBG values (P less than 0.05), thus indicating a faster and shorter effect achieved in comparison to that produced by the syringe injected insulin.

CONCLUSIONS

1. When switching the method of insulin administration in patients from needle syringe to jet injections the power of the jet injector should be increased (it can be set in three different levels). If that is not possible, because of patient skin characteristics then the dose of intermediary acting insulin should be slightly increased. 2. No local or general side-effects were registered using minimum injecting power of jet injector. 3. The results of the controlled poll have shown that this method of insulin administration is less painful and simpler for patients. The great majority of the patients would like to possess a jet injector.