Insulin needles

Insulin needles used by patients with diabetes have a design that differs from standard subcutaneous injection needles. They feature:

• higher sharpness,
• reduced thickness,
• precise bevel geometry.

These parameters minimize pain, lower the risk of tissue trauma during regular injections, and ensure more accurate and comfortable drug delivery.

Why buy from us

Purchasing insulin needles through our dealer network is cost‑effective and reliable. ETALON LLC is the exclusive representative of foreign manufacturers and also operates its own production facility in Russia, which allows us to:

• ensure stable supply,
• offer medical consumables at attractive wholesale prices,
• maintain high quality standards across all stages of production and distribution.

ETALON LLC offers insulin pen needles in both wholesale and retail formats through a network of dealer centers and specialized stores. To find the nearest sales locations, call our hotline: 8 (800) 555‑48‑00. Our products are also available via online stores and retail outlets in Moscow.

The modern market offers a wide range of tools for insulin administration. Insulin needle types are defined by several key characteristics that affect injection comfort and safety.

1. Needle sizes

Needle diameter and sharpness are interrelated: the thinner the shaft, the sharper it is and the less painful the injection. Thickness is indicated by the symbol G and measured on the Gauge scale, where values are inversely proportional to millimeter sizes. For example, 33G is thinner than 28G.Available needle sizes:

• diameter: 0.23 to 0.30 mm,
• length: 4 to 12.7 mm.

This range allows selection of an appropriate option based on the patient’s individual characteristics. Needles are made of medical steel and come in various sizes and diameters from 23G to 33G (0.23 mm to 0.30 mm) and penetration depths from 4 mm to 12.7 mm.

2. Frequency of use

Insulin needles are strictly single‑use. After injection, they must be disposed of and must not be reused to avoid:

• infection,
• tissue damage,
• introduction of microorganisms into the puncture site.

Until use, needles must be stored under sterile conditions and opened immediately before injection.

3. Cap color

Color coding helps quickly identify needle length and thickness. One of the most practical systems is the nomenclature used by the INSUPEN brand.
Example color gradation:

• Green shades — thinnest needles (0.23 mm), length 4 to 8 mm: the darker the color, the longer the needle.
• Blue — medium‑size needles (0.25 × 8 mm).
• Lilac — 0.25 × 5–6 mm.
• Yellow — 0.30 × 8 mm.
• Pink — 0.33 × 12 mm — the longest and thickest.

How to choose insulin needles

Insulin needle selection should be done together with a physician to ensure therapy safety and patient comfort. Several factors are taken into account.

1. Physiological characteristics

Weight and body type are the main parameters:

• Patients with a high body mass index and pronounced subcutaneous fat are suited to 8–12 mm needles.
• Lean individuals require short needles up to 5 mm.
• For average body type, lengths from 5 to 8 mm are typically used.

2. Pharmaceutical considerations (injection technique)

The insulin injection technique influences needle length selection:

• For 90° injection into a skin fold, needles no longer than 8 mm are usually chosen.
• For 45° injection, longer needles — from 8 mm and above — are preferable.

3. Age recommendations

Children have thinner skin, so the following parameters are selected for them:

• length: 4–5 mm,
• thickness: 0.23–0.25 mm.

These parameters allow safe delivery of the drug strictly into the subcutaneous layer.

4. Gender differences

Women typically have more pronounced subcutaneous fat than men. Therefore, female patients often require longer needles to accurately reach the subcutaneous tissue rather than muscle.

Как правильно ввести лекарственный препарат

Insulin injection technique is critical. It is important to avoid injecting the drug into muscle tissue, as this leads to faster absorption and can cause:

• sharp blood sugar fluctuations,
• risk of hypoglycemia.

It is also important to note:

• Insulin syringe scales usually indicate units, not milliliters.
• Standard ratio: 1 ml of insulin = 40 units.

Basic rules for safe needle use

• The needle must be securely screwed onto the syringe to prevent accidental detachment.
• Do not insert the needle too deeply to avoid intramuscular injection.
• Keep the cap after attachment — it will help safely remove the needle after injection.

Needles are made of medical steel and come in various sizes and diameters from 23G to 33G (0.23 mm to 0.28 mm) and penetration depths from 3.5 mm to 12 mm.

Reusing needles is strictly prohibited, as they are single‑use medical devices. Reuse leads to blunting of the tip, tissue damage, risk of infections (abscesses, lipodystrophy), and inaccurate insulin dosing, which is dangerous for diabetes control. A new, sterile needle must be used for each injection to ensure treatment safety and efficacy.