Modern Insulin Delivery Methods for People with Diabetes

In a person without diabetes, when you eat sugar and starches, your body naturally breaks them down into glucose (sugar) with the help of insulin, a hormone that signals the movement of  glucose from the bloodstream into cells to be used for energy. However, for some people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and all people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), this process cannot happen without manually giving insulin subcutaneously—meaning through injections—since the pancreas (the organ that produces insulin) stops doing so.

Insulin must be injected or infused (given through pump) into the fat layers under the skin. Each insulin delivery method has pros and cons. And every person with diabetes can choose the option that best suits them with the help of their healthcare team!

In this guide, we explain what insulin delivery methods are currently available and the pros and cons of each to help you make the most informed choice with your healthcare provider (HCP) and diabetes support system. This will also help you have a productive conversation and ask informed questions with your healthcare team when discussing your options!

Today’s insulin delivery methods include:

• Traditional syringes
• Disposable pens
• Smart pens
• Tubeless pods, patches and pumps
• Tubed pumps
• Inhaled insulin

Syringes and insulin vials

Syringes are paired with insulin vials to deliver insulin into your fat layer under your skin . If you’ve ever heard someone with diabetes say they prefer or use multiple daily injections (MDI) to manage their condition, they may be referring to using:

• Syringes and vials
• Disposable pens
• Smart pens

People with T1D and T2D still follow multiple daily injections (MDI) diabetes management styles. It is a choice and preference among some community members. Syringes are the most traditional insulin delivery method on this list. 

To use syringes, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands and clean the skin with alcohol.
2. Uncap the needle of the syringe.
3. Pull the plunger to fill the syringe with air.
4. Insert the syringe needle into the insulin vial.
5. Draw the plunger until the syringe barrel contains the appropriate dose of insulin.
6. Holding the syringe upright, tap the syringe to release any air bubbles that may have collected in the barrel.
7. Insert the needle into the skin using your index finger or thumb and push the plunger down until all the insulin has emptied from the barrel.
8. Recap the needle and dispose of it in a secure sharps container.

Some people with diabetes (PWD) are taught how to do this on an orange in a hospital setting. Others are given less information and are left to figure it out at home. If you haven’t been given much information, self-advocate and go back to your HCP, insisting they give you an in-person tutorial. No one should leave their HCP’s office with more questions than answers! Community-created resources and demos are also available, but should not be processed as medical advice without clear instruction from a professional.

Here are some more basics on syringes that you should know:

• How long it lasts: one-time use and should be disposed of immediately following use in a sharps container.
  
• Cost: usually around $10-25  per box of 100. The price may vary based on your insurance coverage. If your insurance requires an expensive brand-name medication, ask your pharmacist whether a generic option is available. It may not be on your formulary (which basically means your insurance prefers the medication and offers some coverage for it). Still, it can sometimes save you even more without insurance.

Pros of syringes include:

• You don’t have the burden of a device attached to you.
• Syringes and vials are usually more affordable for most PWD under most insurance plans.
• Usually don’t require battles with insurance to get coverage or prior authorizations, which means your HCP has to send a letter requesting that they cover it as medically necessary for you.

Cons of syringes include:

• You have to carry syringe supplies and insulin vials and make sure you don’t forget any steps involved in drawing up a dose of insulin.
• It may be harder to track or remember when you last took insulin. If you struggle with memory, this is worth serious consideration.
• Use an insulin vial at room temperature for usually up to 28 days after first use. Check the manufacturer’s label, because some insulin products can be used longer. Dispose of the vial after its labeled in-use period, even if there’s insulin is leftover. 

Disposable insulin pens

Disposable insulin pens simply refer to pens you dispose of. Smart pens, which we’ll cover next, offer more features and digital integrations with other diabetes devices you may already use or want. They may also last longer than some disposable pens, especially those without a refillable insulin cartridge option. Some pens come with insulin, while others have a space for you to fill with insulin from a cartridge ordered separately through your pharmacy.

To use traditional insulin pens, follow these steps:

• Prepare and clean the skin with an alcohol wipe.
• Uncap the pen.
• Attach the pen needle.
• If you’re using a pen for the first time, prepare it by dialing up a very small dose of insulin, then prime the pen by pushing it into the air. 
• Dial up your insulin dose using the dial on the end of the pen opposite the needle.
• Insert the needle into the skin and push in the end to administer insulin.
• Keep the needle in your skin for 6 to 10 seconds.
• When you’re done, remove the pen needle and dispose of it in a secure sharps container.

Here are some other basics you should know about disposable insulin pens:

• How long it lasts: some pens are disposable. Others are reusable and have replaceable insulin cartridges that you can insert into the pen. Once opened and stored at room temperature, a pen lasts 28 days before you must replace it, but some last longer. Check the manufacturer’s label for specific insulin.
• Cost: varies widely depending on the insulin you use, the pen brand and your insurance. Cost can also vary by needle gauge.

Pros of disposable pens include:

• Their small size makes them a convenient way of carrying insulin.
• They tend to be less painful than syringes, thanks to shorter, consistently sharp needles.

Cons of disposable pens include:

• The needle needs to remain in the skin longer than with a syringe, about 6 to 10 seconds after the plunger is fully pressed, to make sure the full dose is delivered.
• Pens can also be easy to lose or forget.

Smart insulin pens

Smart pens work the same way as disposable pens, with one key difference: they connect to an app on your phone. The pen automatically logs your dose, the time you took it and how much insulin is still active in your body, so you don’t have to write it down or remember it yourself. Some smart pens can also sync with a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), so your insulin and blood sugar data show up in one place.

To use a smart pen, follow the same steps as a traditional pen:

• Prepare and clean the skin with an alcohol wipe.
• Uncap the pen.
• Attach the pen needle.
• If you’re using a pen for the first time, prepare it by dialing up a very small dose of insulin, then prime the pen by pushing it into the air. 
• Use the dial on the end of the pen to set your insulin dose.
• Insert the needle into the skin and push in the end to administer insulin.
• Keep the needle in your skin for 6 to 10 seconds.
• When you’re done, remove the pen needle and dispose of it in a secure sharps container.

The pen automatically records the dose and sends it to your paired app with no extra steps required.

Here are some other basics you should know about smart pens:

• How long it lasts: most smart pens are reusable for about a year and use replaceable insulin cartridges, unlike many disposable pens that get thrown out once empty.
• Cost: smart pens typically cost more upfront than disposable pens, though some insurance plans help cover the cost. You’ll also need a compatible smartphone to use the app.

Pros of smart pens include:

• Automatic dose tracking means fewer missed doses and less guesswork about how much active insulin you have on board.
• Many models sync with a CGM app, giving you a fuller picture of your insulin and blood sugar together.
• Some apps offer dose calculators based on your personal settings, similar to features found on an insulin pump.

Cons of smart pens include:

• They cost more than disposable pens and require a smartphone to get the full benefit.
• Not every smart pen works with every insulin type, so check compatibility first.
• Like disposable pens, the needle still needs to stay in the skin for 6 to 10 seconds to make sure you get the full dose.

Tubeless pods, patches and pumps

Insulin pod therapy

There is only one tubeless pump option available right now, and it’s called a pod—the Omnipod! 

Here’s how it works:

• Omnipod, made by Insulet, offers two tubeless, wearable, waterproof pump options: Omnipod 5 and Omnipod DASH. 
• Both hold up to 200 units of insulin and deliver continuous insulin through customizable basal and bolus doses for up to 72 hours. 
• Basal (long-acting) insulin keeps blood sugar steady throughout the day, while bolus (short-acting) doses cover meals or correct high blood sugar.
• Omnipod 5 is an automated insulin delivery (AID) system that connects to a compatible CGM, including Dexcom G6, Dexcom G7, FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus and 3 Plus, and automatically adjusts insulin based on real-time blood sugar data. 
• Omnipod DASH uses a separate handheld controller instead of syncing with a CGM to make dosing decisions.

Here are some more basics you should know about this pod option:

• How long it lasts: Replace each pod every three days to help avoid bruising, insulin buildup, scar tissue or infection.
• Cost: Copays can be as low as $30 depending on insurance.

Pros of the pod include:

• Omnipod 5 automatically adjusts insulin based on CGM data, which takes some of the daily mental load off you.
• Both systems offer a customizable basal profile and bolus calculator so that you can fine-tune insulin around your sensitivity and carb intake.
• Omnipod 5 includes features like Activity Mode and Custom Foods to support personalized diabetes management. 
• There’s no tubing! The pod sits directly on the body, and insertion is automatic, so you never have to see or handle the needle.
• Insulin can be delivered in small, precise increments, which can mean better blood sugar stability, easier dosing around meals and exercise, and lower risk of complications.

Cons of the pod include:

• Wearing a device on your body 24/7 isn’t for everyone.
• Like any device, there’s always a chance it could malfunction, which can lead to other diabetes care challenges and issues, like insulin waste.

Insulin patches

A couple of insulin patch options are available today, including V-Go and CeQur Simplicity.

Here’s how they work:

• Insulin patches are small, tubeless, disposable devices you wear directly on your skin to deliver mealtime and correction doses of rapid-acting insulin, like Humalog or NovoLog, at the press of a button. 
• They’re a middle ground between injections and a full pump. 

Two options are currently available: V-Go and CeQur Simplicity. 

They work a bit differently:

• V-Go is a 24-hour wear patch that delivers both a preset basal rate and mealtime doses (in 2-unit steps, up to 36 units a day), and it’s approved for people with T2D who need a fixed daily insulin dose. V-Go comes in three options: V-Go 20, V-Go 30, and V-Go 40. The number tells you how many units of background insulin (basal) it gives over 24 hours.
• CeQur Simplicity is a 4-day wear, 2-unit bolus-only patch, meaning it doesn’t replace basal insulin, so you’d still take that separately. It’s approved for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and holds up to 200 units of insulin.

Both require you to place the patch somewhere on your body you can easily reach to dose at mealtime, and both are worn discreetly under clothing.

• How long it lasts: 24 hours for the daily-wear option, up to 4 days for the longer-wear option.
• Cost: Around $50 to $250 for a monthly (30-day) supply, depending on the patch and your insurance coverage.

Pros:

• No need to carry pens, needles, vials or syringes.
• Discreet and doesn’t require batteries.
• Simple to insert and set up, without extra tech to manage.

Cons:

• Must be worn somewhere you can easily reach to dose at meals.
• The bolus-only patch still requires a separate basal insulin routine.
• Like any device, it can malfunction, so it’s worth keeping a backup injection method on hand.

Tubed insulin pumps

Many tubed insulin pump options are available today—they all work slightly differently but share similar characteristics, functionality and features overall. 

Here’s how they work:

• Like the tubeless options above, pumps are small, computerized devices that deliver fast- or short-acting insulin over 24 to 72 hours through a catheter (cannula) placed under the skin. 
• Tubed pumps use an infusion set with tubing that connects the pump to that catheter.

Most modern tubed pumps now include automated features to support insulin delivery and blood sugar management, including your insulin-to-carb ratio (ICR), correction factor, target blood sugar, and insulin sensitivity. Using this information, the pump calculates how much insulin to deliver based on your blood sugar or carb count, though you can also bolus manually without the calculator. Most current tubed pumps also integrate with a CGM, automatically adjusting insulin delivery based on real-time blood sugar data.

Here are a couple  more key basics you should know about tubed pumps:

• How long it lasts: Infusion sets are typically replaced every two to three days, though some newer extended-wear sets last up to seven days. Follow your manufacturer’s guidance on when to change your site to help avoid bruising, scar tissue or infection. Many pumps will remind you automatically when it’s time. The pump device itself typically lasts four to five years, and many continue working beyond their warranty period. 
• Cost: Roughly $3,500 to $9,000 without insurance, depending on the brand and model. Check with your insurance provider to determine your actual cost.

Pros of tubed pumps include:

• You only need to use a needle once every few days to insert the catheter, rather than injecting yourself each time.
• Pumps deliver insulin more precisely than injections and in smaller dose increments.
• Improved blood sugar management compared with injections.
• Easier to dose insulin around meals and exercise.
• Lower risk of hypoglycemia and diabetes-related complications.
• You can adjust insulin dosages as needed.
• You can take the pump off for a short time, but you don’t get insulin while it’s off, so remember to reconnect it!

Cons of tubed pumps include:

• Pumps can be expensive, even with insurance.
• Wearing a device 24/7 isn’t for everyone, especially with tubing involved.
• Infusion sites can get snagged or pulled out by accident, and there’s always a chance the pump could malfunction.
• Some insulin pumps need to be recharged, and others use batteries. Remember to charge your pump or keep extra batteries on hand. 

Inhaled insulin

There is only one inhaled insulin option today—Afrezza. Its predecessor was removed from the market some time ago due to overall safety concerns.

Here’s how Afrezza works:

• People use inhaled insulin for mealtime insulin needs or to quickly correct high blood sugar. It works faster than injected insulin. Using a small inhaler with a cartridge, you breathe in a fine insulin powder that enters your bloodstream through the blood vessels in your lungs.

Other inhaled insulin basics you should know include:

• How long it lasts: Once opened, an inhaler can be used for up to 15 days.
  
• Cost: Afrezza is currently the only inhaled insulin approved by the FDA and may be covered by insurance. Check with your provider for exact costs. Afrezza’s website offers a $0 copay option for a first prescription, along with a savings program.

Pros of inhaled insulin include:

• No needles, so no injection pain.
• Peaks in about 30 minutes, so you don’t have to wait as long to eat and are less likely to stack insulin (taking your insulin doses back-to-back in a short period of time; when it’s more aggressively maneuvered to correct a high, this is called rage-bolusing).
• Some research has also pointed to a lower risk of hypoglycemia compared with injected mealtime insulin.

Cons of inhaled insulin include:

• You’ll still need long-acting insulin to manage your background insulin needs.
• Side effects may include cough and throat irritation.
• Before you start Afrezza, your HCP will do a breathing test to check your lungs. It’s repeated after six months and then every year, even if you feel fine. 
• Not recommended for people with asthma or who smoke.
• Approved for adults and, as of 2026, children ages 6 and older with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Finding an insulin delivery method that works for your life

With this many options, choosing an insulin delivery method can feel overwhelming. There’s no single “best” choice. What works well for one person might not fit your lifestyle, insurance, comfort with technology or even how your body responds to insulin.

To make your choice, here are a few things worth considering:

• How hands-on do you want to be with your dosing? 
• Are you comfortable wearing a device on your body full-time, or would you rather keep insulin delivery separate from daily life until you need it? 
• How do cost and insurance coverage factor in? 
• And how much does automation matter to you, versus staying in manual control?
• What technology do you already use, like a CGM or a smartphone, and which insulin delivery options work with it? 
• Do you have any challenges with dexterity or vision, and what support do you have from family, friends or your care team? 

Talk through your options with your HCP or certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES). Many people also try more than one method over the years as their needs, routines or technology preferences change. There’s no wrong way to manage diabetes, only the way that works best for you right now.

Insulin delivery is just one part of the diabetes equation, and it can feel extremely overwhelming. Connect with a community that’s been in your shoes—discover your journey at any stage through Beyond Type 1’s Community Apps or social media networks.