insulin but no syringe

[tammy07]

This question was presented to me and I would like to get some feedback on it, If you have someone who has a low bs and needs to receive insulin but you do not have a needle would it be possible to put it under the tongue for some absorption or what would be an option....thanks:rolleyes:

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

There's few situations where a person needs insulin RIGHT now and it's going to be life or death if they have to wait. Hyperglycemia is generally less of a medical emergency than hypoglycemia. They may not feel well, but they're usually not deathly ill. The situations where it is life or death involve DKA and just a shot of insulin will do little to help them.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

Well another way of looking at this is this. Most insulins (not the IV types) come in a bottle in which a syringe and needle is required to extract the insulin from its container. If you don't have the tools to start with, then you can't even get it. Its not like you can just pop the top of the insulin off. At least not that I'm aware of.

where there is a will, a way will be found...lol

just for discussions sake, has it ever been studied as a sublingual?

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

where there is a will, a way will be found...lol

just for discussions sake, has it ever been studied as a sublingual?

I'm sure it has. People have been trying to find needle-free insulin for decades, since apparently taking shots is the end of the world or something. They had an inhaler for awhile, and I recently heard that rectal insulin is being studied.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

hmmm... you got my brain moving this morning. Quick yahoo search suggests that tis is being studies largely overseas

http://www.cidpusa.org/insulin.htm

http://www.pakmedinet.com/1537

but is starting to get some attention in the US

http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/issue12/

and could be a possibility down the road.

[truern]

I'm sure it has. People have been trying to find needle-free insulin for decades, since apparently taking shots is the end of the world or something. They had an inhaler for awhile, and I recently heard that rectal insulin is being studied.

I'm an insulin-dependant diabetic, and while shots aren't exactly pleasant I don't think I'm ready to even comtemplate rectal insulin!! :omy:

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I'm an insulin-dependant diabetic, and while shots aren't exactly pleasant I don't think I'm ready to even comtemplate rectal insulin!! :omy:

I used to take like 6 or more shots a day. It just wasn't that bad.

But I still love my pump.

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

I guess it depends on how high high is--are we talking about BS 250 or BS 550? Are they vomiting or seizing? If they are going into DKA and you don't have the tools to give them insulin I think you need to call 911.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I guess it depends on how high high is--are we talking about BS 250 or BS 550? Are they vomiting or seizing? If they are going into DKA and you don't have the tools to give them insulin I think you need to call 911.

DKA needs to be dealt with in an inpatient setting even if you do have supplies to give insulin readily available.