Diabetes Medicines

• Insulin: How to Prepare a Single Dose

  Learn how to prepare and easily give yourself a single dose of insulin.

• How to Give a Subcutaneous Injection

  Learn how to give an injection under the skin.

• Gestational Diabetes: Medicines

  Learn why you may need to take medicine when you have gestational diabetes.

• Insulin: Giving an Injection in the Arm Using a Syringe

  Learn the simple steps to give yourself an insulin shot in the arm using a syringe.

• Diabetes: Insulin's Role

  Learn how insulin works and why diabetes causes high blood sugar.

• Diabetes, Type 2: Should I Take Insulin?

  Guides you through the decision to take insulin for type 2 diabetes. Provides info on when insulin may be needed to control blood sugar levels. Covers benefits and risks of insulin. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

• Insulin: How to Prepare a Mixed Dose

  Learn how to prepare and give yourself a mixed dose of insulin.

• Diabetes: Giving Yourself an Insulin Shot

  Insulin is used for people who have type 1 diabetes. It's also used if you have type 2 diabetes and other medicines are not controlling your blood sugar. If you have gestational diabetes, you may need to take insulin if diet and exercise have not helped to keep your blood sugar levels within your target range. With...

• Types of Insulin

  Insulin is used to treat people who have diabetes. Each type of insulin acts over a specific amount of time. The amount of time can be affected by exercise, diet, illness, some medicines, stress, the dose, how you take it, or where you inject it. The table below is a general guide. Your results may be different...

• Storing Insulin and Prefilling Syringes

  Insulin can become damaged and ineffective if it is not stored properly. Unopened insulin that is packaged in small glass bottles (vials) should be stored in the refrigerator. Liquid insulin that is packaged in small cartridges (containing several doses) is more stable. These cartridges are used in...

• Insulin: Reusing Syringes and Lancets Safely

  Some people with diabetes use their insulin syringes and lancets more than once to save money. But makers of syringes and lancets do not recommend using them more than once. Talk with your doctor before reusing these items. Some people who have...

• Gestational Diabetes: Giving Yourself Insulin Shots

  Describes how to give an insulin injection when you have gestational diabetes. Covers what is needed, including syringe and vial or cartridge of insulin. Offers step-by-step instructions and links to slideshows on preparing an injection.

• Diabetes in Children: Giving Insulin Shots to a Child

  If your child doesn't want to feel the insulin needle, your child's doctor can prescribe an indwelling subcutaneous cannula. A small needle is used to insert a soft tube into a place where you give your child an insulin shot, such as the belly. The needle is taken out, but the soft tube (cannula) stays in your child's...

• Noninsulin medicines for type 2 diabetes

  What are the most important things you need to know about your medicines? Make sure you know about each of the medicines you take. This includes why you take it, how to take it, what you can expect while you're taking it, and any warnings about the medicine. The information provided here is general. So be sure...

• Diabetes in Children: Food Issues at School

  New challenges emerge when your child with diabetes begins school. Starting a good communication system with key people at the school can help make this transition a smooth one. It's helpful to schedule a conference with school personnel—principal,...