Insulin syringes come in three common sizes:
- 3/10ml syringe, also called a 0.3ml syringe
- 1/2ml syringe, also called a 0.5ml syringe
- 1.0ml syringe
How many units can each size draw?
- 3/10ml syringe draws up to 30 units.
- 1/2 ml syringe draws up to 50 units.
- 1.0ml syringe draws up to 100 units.
What size syringe should you use to draw your insulin?
- If your dose is 30 units or less, use the 3/10ml syringe
- If your dose is 31 to 50 units, use the 1/2 mL syringe
- If your dose is 51 to 100 units, use the 1 mL syringe
Here is some advice: “Choose the smallest syringe size that’s big enough to hold the largest dose you take in a day. The smaller the syringe, the easier it is to read the markings and draw up an accurate dose.
If your largest dose is close to the syringe’s maximum capacity, you may want to buy the next size up to handle any increases in your dose adjustments. For example, if your dosage is 29 units and you buy a 3/10 mL syringe, you won’t be able to use those syringes if your doctor increases your dosage to 31 units.
3/10 mL syringes are available with two different kinds of barrels: one with dosage markings at every unit and one with dosage markings at every half-unit.
People who take whole unit insulin doses of less than 30 units should use a syringe with markings at every unit because its large, easy-to-read markings make it simple to draw up an accurate dose.
People who take very small doses (e.g. children) and who are told to measure their doses in half units (e.g. 3 ½ units or 6 ½ units) should use a syringe with dosage markings at every half unit.”