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The team does not and cannot offer clinical advice. If you have any urgent medical enquiries we urge you to contact your GP, or NHS Direct at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or by calling 0845 4647. In an emergency call 999

The right dose

100 units per ml

UK insulin for people is made in one strength – 100 units per ml also called U100 insulin. A tiny drop can cause a low blood glucose, hypoglycaemia. In the UK, always use 100 units per ml insulin.

Warning – insulin is made in different strengths abroad or for pets. A few UK patients use very concentrated 500 units per ml, U500 insulin on a named patient basis. It has five times the glucose-lowering effect of U100 insulin. U500 insulin must be stored completely separately from any other insulins in a different fridge and very clearly labelled solely for that patient’s use. Ask the diabetes team for advice immediately.

Write units in full

When prescribing insulin always write out the word units in full. Never abbreviate it. 4 units written as 4u could become 40 units, or 4iu could become 410 units with fatal results!

Get the dose right

The dose is crucial. People with diabetes – children, adults, underweight, overweight, ill, well, need very different doses. 5 units can make one person unconscious but make virtually no difference to the glucose in another.

People with diabetes may adjust the dose of fast-acting insulin according to what they are eating, their blood glucose or exercise. Let them do it – they will usually be better at it that you.

Check the dose with the chart and the patient.

If using an insulin pen, double check the dial or reading – is it the right way up? 21 can look like 12 units! See how easy it can be to mis-read an insulin pen below.