Is it okay to reuse insulin needles?

[carole]

My healthcare provider's diabetic management specialist just informed me that I can use the same insulin needle more than once on the same day, if using the same insulin. I have had diabetes for 20 years and no one has ever told me it is okay to use the same needle more than once. I take anywhere from 4-5 injections a day. What is your opinion?

[gobbly2100]

Hi there Carole,

Welcome to the forum, generally using the same needle again from my own personal experience is fine and I have asked to make sure it is safe too but I have to say I find that even after one shot the needle will become more blunt so it is always much more painless to change it everytime.

I would probaly suggest away from using it more than twice though and make sure you have a tight cap on it too.

[carole]

Thank you so much for answering my question, Gobbly. I now feel much more comfortable using a needle twice.

[gobbly2100]

Your welcome, I actually started using an insulin pump now so I only have one injection every 3-4 days which is quite nice from having MDI (multiple daily injections).

Just watch out for blunt ones remember if you do use them twice cause they can hurt like a you know what!

[beenman123]

Nice post. This is a great work.

[Diabetia Diabetic]

As said already, it becomes a bit blunt after a while.. I take mine 2-3 times.