Pen Needle Reuse in People with Diabetes Who Inject Insulin: A Narrative Review

Global rates of insulin pen needle (PN) reuse in people with diabetes (PWD) vary across regions. However, it is estimated that more than 50% of PWD will reuse their PNs at some point over the course of their disease management. This highlights the need for better education to avoid this practice, which can lead to complications such as lipohypertrophy, pain, and poor glycemic management. This review aims to educate healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the issues surrounding PN reuse by PWD; discuss the scientific and clinical rationale for and against PN reuse; provide guidance on best practice for PN use by PWD who use insulin when reuse continues or is unavoidable; and provide actionable insights for clinical education and person-centered support interventions.

To compile the data on PN reuse, a PubMed search was conducted in November 2025, with "diabetes", "insulin", and "needle reuse" as the search terms. Over 100 articles were found and assessed for inclusion based on scientific vigor, leaving approximately 40 articles for inclusion.

The main reasons for PN reuse were stated to be convenience and cost in many regions around the world.

The findings of this review suggest that reducing PN reuse rates requires continued, ongoing education about injection technique and potential complications of PN reuse. Ideally, this education should be provided by HCPs and diabetes educators, as they are the most trusted source of information for PWD. It is vital to determine the reasons for reuse without judgment and discuss suitable solutions to mitigate the problem.