Insulin Pens and Smart Pens
Insulin pens have transformed life with type 1 diabetes making insulin delivery simpler, faster, and more discreet than ever before
This content is not medical advice. Always consult your endocrinologist, doctor or diabetes care team before making any changes to your diabetes treatment or daily management.
Why Insulin Pens Change Life with Type 1 Diabetes?
Since the first insulin pen reached the market in 1985, the way insulin is delivered has changed forever. Instead of vials and syringes, people with type 1 diabetes gained a practical, precise, and discreet tool that makes therapy much simpler.
Today, insulin pens and smart pens are the most commonly used devices for insulin delivery worldwide. If you are a parent of a child with diabetes or someone newly diagnosed, understanding how pens work can help you feel more confident and manage everyday life with type 1 diabetes more easily.
History and Development of Insulin Pens
Before pens, the only way to inject insulin was with a vial and syringe. This was often inconvenient, especially for children in school or adults at work.
In 1985, Novo Nordisk introduced the first insulin pen – a device that looks like a regular pen but delivers insulin instead of ink. Over time, pens became the standard in Europe and many other regions, while syringes still remain more common in the United States.
Today, smart insulin pens are also available, combining insulin delivery with digital tools such as mobile apps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems.
Types of Insulin Pens
There are two main types:
1. Reusable pens with replaceable cartridges
A small insulin cartridge is inserted into the pen.
When it’s empty, only the cartridge is replaced while the pen itself is reused.
A more economical and environmentally friendly option.
2. Prefilled (disposable) pens
Already filled with insulin.
Thrown away after use.
A practical choice for children, beginners, and people with an active lifestyle.
How to Inject Insulin with a Pen?
For a step-by-step guide on insulin pen injections, visit our What Is Insulin page.
Why pens make injections easier:
Accurate dosing – many pens allow 0.5-unit increments, which is especially helpful for children.
More discreet – looks like a regular pen and can be used almost anywhere.
User-friendly – simpler to handle than syringes, suitable even for beginners.
Kid-friendly – easier for school, sports, and daily life.
Steps for Injecting Insulin with a Pen
Check the Pen
Make sure the pen is set to 0 units – it should be ready for a new dose.Remove the Cap
Take off the outer pen cap to access the insulin cartridge.Check the Needle
The needle is already attached – make sure it is securely in place.Remove Needle Covers
Take off both needle covers – first the outer, then the inner (purple) one.Set the Dose
Turn the dial away from yourself to set the dose – in this case, 1.5 units.Prepare the Injection Site
Pinch a fold of skin on the upper arm – this ensures proper subcutaneous injection.Inject the Insulin
Inject the insulin, keep the needle in the skin and count to 10 seconds before removing it.Finish Up
Put the protective cap back on the needle, then replace the pen cap – the pen is now ready for storage.
Children and Insulin Pens – A Parent’s Perspective
For parents of children with type 1 diabetes, insulin pens are often the first choice for insulin delivery. Unlike syringes, which can look intimidating and require more steps, pens are designed to be simple, discreet, and less stressful — both for the child and for the parent.
Why parents choose insulin pens for their children?
Easy to learn and use – Even young children can quickly master how to use a pen under supervision. The dial system makes it easier to set the right dose compared to syringes.
Discreet and portable – Pens are small and look like regular writing pens, which makes them less noticeable when used at school, during sports, or at a birthday party. Children don’t feel as “different” or exposed when giving insulin.
Precise dosing – Some reusable pens, like the NovoPen Echo, allow half-unit increments (0.5 units), which is especially important for children who often need small, accurate adjustments.
Support for independence – Over time, children gain confidence in handling their diabetes management, and pens provide a safe step toward independence.
Smart Insulin Pens – The Future of Therapy
Smart insulin pens add a whole new dimension by connecting with apps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. For parents, this means more peace of mind, as dosing and glucose information can be tracked digitally.
Key features of smart insulin pens
Dose tracking – The pen automatically records when and how much insulin was injected.
Digital recommendations – Some models calculate correction doses based on current glucose levels and carbohydrate intake.
Reminders & alarms – Notifications if a dose is missed, reducing the risk of skipped insulin.
Data sharing – Parents and healthcare providers can access the data remotely, which is particularly helpful for school-age children.
Popular smart insulin pen models
InPen (Medtronic/Companion Medical)
NovoPen 6 & NovoPen Echo Plus (Novo Nordisk)
ESYSTA (Emperra)
These devices are often considered the best smart insulin pens for type 1 diabetes because they combine accuracy, convenience, and digital support at a fraction of the cost of an insulin pump.
Insulin pens use special thin needles that come in different lengths and thicknesses. The shortest needles (4–6 mm) reduce pain and the risk of injecting into the muscle.
It is recommended to use a new needle for each injection to avoid insulin leakage and skin irritation.
Although insulin pens are the most common way to take insulin, some people with type 1 diabetes use insulin pumps for continuous delivery and continuous glucose monitors (CGM) for better tracking. You can learn more in our dedicated categories: Insulin Pumps and CGM.
Join as a T1D Warrior
Our T1D Warriors are children, parents of children with diabetes, and individuals living with type 1 diabetes who share their personal experiences to inspire and support others. Every story, every blog post, and every piece of advice you find here comes from someone who has truly lived it — with honesty, courage and a whole lot of heart. Together, we’re building a community where real-life experience truly makes a difference.
Want to inspire others with your T1D journey? Become a T1D Warrior and share your story.