Prescribed insulin pen: what should you check to keep its use strictly personal?

Keep the pen for the person to whom the insulin was prescribed. The cited leaflet is for UMULINE NPH KWIKPEN 100 IU/mL injectable suspension. It states that the medicine is personal. The ANSM leaflet also explains that a medicine must not be given to someone close to you, even if their needs seem similar.

The cited leaflet and manual prohibit sharing this pen even when the needle has been changed. They explain this rule by the risk of transmitting diseases or infectious agents. A new needle therefore does not make the pen suitable for use by another person.

For this model, the manual requires a new needle for each injection to avoid infection and needle blockage. It also prohibits sharing or reusing needles. This instruction complements the requirement to keep the pen strictly personal.

Check the insulin name and type on the box and pen label, particularly if more than one insulin is prescribed. The manual requires keeping the label. Ask the professional to resolve any confusion; the leaflet states that insulin must not be changed without a doctor’s prescription.

This manual advises blind or visually impaired people against using the pen without help from someone trained to use it. Arrange this help with your care team. The pen remains the one belonging to the person receiving treatment.

If you have difficulty with this model, contact your doctor, diabetes specialist nurse or pharmacist for additional help. Have the manual and exact pen name ready. The document does not replace their advice on the condition and treatment; it is not used here to determine a dose.