Insulin pens, whether they are disposable or reusable, need to be
used and stored properly to function safely and effectively. Learn how
to care for your insulin pen. As well as the general advice below you
should also refer to the manufacturers instructions for specific
advice on your pen.
Tips on how to care for your disposable pen
Storing your disposable insulin pen
Unopened, you can store your disposable pen at room
temperature (not above 30°C) for a maximum of 4 weeks or in a fridge
(2°C to 8°C) until the expiry date, but keep it away from the
freezing element
Once open, your disposable pen will last for a maximum of 4
weeks, whether at room temperature (not above 30°C) or in a fridge
(2°C to 8°C)
Don’t leave the pen in a car or any other place
where it could get too hot or too cold
Always keep the capon thepen to protect
the medicine inside from light (opened or unopened)
Treat your disposable pen with care. Rough handling or misuse
could cause inaccurate dosing
Don’t drop your disposable
pen against hard surfaces. If you drop it or suspect a problem,
carefully inspect for damage, attach a new needle and check the
insulin flow before you inject
Don’t try to refill your
disposable pen. Once empty, throw the used pen in a bin or follow
your local waste instructions (your package insert will have more
information)
If your disposable pen is faulty, please don’t
try to repair it or pull it apart. Throw it in a bin or follow your
local waste instructions and open a new pen
Cleaning your disposable insulin pen
Try not to expose your disposable pen to dust, dirt or
liquid
Don’t try to pull your disposable pen apart to clean
it
If necessary, clean your disposable pen with a damp cloth,
but don’t wash, soak or lubricate it
Tips on how to care for your durable (reusable) pen
Storing and handling your durable (reusable) pen
Your durable pen is tough, but it can still be
damaged. Handle it with care and protect it against dust
and dirt when it is not in its case
Avoid situations where
your durable pen can be damaged and keep it in the
case whenever possible. You can also store spare
Penfill® cartridges and NovoFine® needles in
the case
Check the leaflet in the Penfill® pack
for details on how to store the cartridges and how long to keep
them
Cleaning your durable (reusable) pen
Your durable pen does not require any maintenance except
cleaning
Dirt and dust can be removed by using a soft, dry
brush
Clean your durable pen by wiping it with a cloth
moistened with a mild detergent
Don’t clean your
durable pen with any solution containing alcohol, iodine (or
similar) or detergent containing chlorine
Don’t
submerge your durable pen in water as this may damage its
mechanical system
Remember:
Your durable pen must only be used in the way described in its
instruction manual
Please contact your healthcare
professional if you experience problems with your durable pen. All
faulty pens will be inspected by Novo Nordisk to ensure high quality
standards are maintained