Incorporating insulin into your daily life can take some getting used to. From packing your on-the-go bag to prepping your syringe or insulin pen, here are tips to get you started.

Insulin may be one option for helping to manage type 2 diabetes.

You can also learn more about insulin through our guide to insulin for type 2 diabetes.

How quickly insulin enters the bloodstream varies depending on the injection site. Insulin injections in the abdomen, for example, tend to work faster than those given in the upper arms, thighs, or buttocks.

Your individual needs and preferences will determine which site your doctor says is the “best” site for you.

Site preparation starts with making sure the area is clean. Soap and water are fine for preparing your skin. If you use an alcohol swab, make sure the area is dry before starting your injection.

Preparing a syringe

To prepare for using a syringe:

  1. Wash your hands.
  2. Check your insulin vial’s expiration date.
  3. Look for any unusual changes in the insulin’s color or consistency.
  4. Gently roll the vial between your palms to mix the insulin, if indicated (do not shake).
  5. Remove the lid from the bottle.
  6. Lightly wipe the top of the bottle with an alcohol swab.
  7. Allow the top to dry.
  8. Remove the cap from your syringe.
  9. Pull air into the syringe by pulling back on the syringe plunger. Stop when the plunger top inside the syringe is at the dose you need.
  10. Insert the needle part of the syringe into the rubber top of the insulin vial.
  11. Turn the vial upside down so all the liquid is at the top.
  12. Push out the air from the syringe into the vial.
  13. Pull insulin into the syringe slowly until the top of the plunger is at the correct dose.
  14. Remove the syringe from the vial.

Preparing an insulin pen

If you’re using an insulin pen:

  1. Familiarize yourself with your pen’s manufacturer’s instructions.
  2. Wash your hands.
  3. Verify the label on your pen to make sure it’s the correct one.
  4. Check the expiration date.
  5. Look for any unusual changes to the color or consistency of the insulin in the pen.
  6. Gently roll the pen between your palms to mix the insulin, if indicated (do not shake).
  7. Take the top off the pen to attach the needle.
  8. Prime the pen by turning the dosing dial to the recommended number of units for priming.
  9. Hold the pen upright and gently tap the insulin cartridge to remove air bubbles.
  10. Push the injection button to verify insulin is coming out.
  11. Repeat up to several times if necessary for new pens or cartridges.
  12. Once you’ve verified the pen is primed and working, select your insulin dose using the dosing dial.
  13. Make sure you’re starting at “zero” when inputting your dose.

Injecting the insulin

When your syringe or pen is ready, pinch the skin at your injection location and insert the needle all the way in at a 45-degree angle. In thicker tissue areas, you may need to go in completely upright at a 90-degree angle.

Slowly push the plunger or press the injection button and wait 5 seconds before pulling the needle out.

A to-go bag, or to-go kit, is a small container that holds all the supplies you’ll need for daily or emergency diabetes care. It’s kept separate from your regular supplies, so it’s always ready to go when you leave the house.

Inside the bag, you’ll have:

  • insulin vial or cartridges
  • syringes
  • insulin pens (with extra batteries)
  • blood glucose meter (with extra batteries)
  • lancets
  • glucose and ketone test strips
  • glucagon syringe
  • fast-acting carbohydrates like glucose gel or candy
  • healthy snacks like crackers and peanut butter
  • water
  • medical waste disposal container
  • written instructions for calculating insulin doses
  • list of emergency contacts
  • ice packs to keep insulin within the required temperature range

Even if you usually take your insulin with a pen, adding syringes and an insulin vial to your to-go bag can provide a backup option if there’s a malfunction or another reason the pen can’t be used.

Some, but not all, insulin injections are dependent on when you eat. Eating increases the amount of glucose in your bloodstream, and taking insulin around meals directly helps your blood sugar remain steady and within its target range.

Rapid-acting and short-acting insulin is typically taken at mealtime and can be used alongside other, longer-acting forms of insulin (basal insulin) that work throughout the day.

If you take insulin at mealtime, you may have a set dose, called a bolus dose, or you may need to calculate the dose based on which foods you eat and how they affect blood sugar.

Some important safety tips regarding insulin injections include:

  • Give insulin injections in the same area of the body to keep insulin absorption consistent.
  • Avoid using the exact same injection site each time.
  • Avoid placing insulin shots on bruised or tender skin.
  • Don’t place injections into hard lumps or bumps under the skin.
  • Try to place injections away from areas with altered circulation, like scars.
  • Don’t use insulin that has an unusual color, cloudiness, or consistency.
  • Don’t use expired insulin.
  • If insulin needs to be mixed, avoid shaking as this could cause large clumps.
  • Don’t use insulin that’s been exposed to extreme temperatures.

For best results, insulin should be stored at a stable, cool temperature between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Insulin may still be effective if it’s stored between 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C) for up to 28 days and in the original manufacturer’s vial or cartridge.

If you lose power to your refrigerator, keep the door closed as much as possible to trap in the cold air. Check the color of your insulin before using it. Do not use it if the insulin has a cloudy appearance or another change in color, or if you see lumps or flakes in the solution.

Never freeze insulin. Instead, plan ahead for power loss, if possible, by keeping ice packs or bottles of water in the freezer. If you lose power to the refrigerator, store the insulin with the frozen water bottles in a cooler or transfer the freezer packs or bottles of ice to your refrigerator to help keep the temperature cooler.

Yes, you can take insulin and insulin supplies on an airplane.

For best results, keep them in your carry-on to avoid extreme temperatures, and let the agent at the security screening know that you are carrying insulin and insulin supplies. It’s also a good idea to travel with a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s note.

Once you become familiar with insulin injections and how they fit into your day, you can get back to doing the activities you enjoy with more peace of mind about diabetes management.