Syringes are devices that people with diabetes use to inject insulin into body tissues. These injections help move glucose (blood sugar) into the cells from the bloodstream. The syringe consists of a hollow plastic or glass tube with a plunger inside, and a needle. The plunger forces the medication through the needle into the body just under the skin and into the fatty tissue. Measurement markings on the side of the tube indicate how much of a medication is being injected.

Syringe tubes come in many varieties. Patients match the size of their syringe tube with the strength and volume of the insulin they use. Needles also are available in various sizes and thicknesses. Patients should discuss these options with a physician to find the choice that is best for them.

Fears over using needles have long been a concern for some people with diabetes. However, recent advances have resulted in needles that are now smaller, sharper and thinner than those used in the past. In addition, needles are now treated with special silicone coatings that make injections less uncomfortable.

Despite the advent of alternative delivery methods, syringes remain the most commonly used technique for insulin administration, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Other injected medications include the glucose-raising hormone glucagon, synthetic amylin and the antidiabetic agents known as incretins.