Can I reuse insulin syringes?

Reusing insulin syringes may help you cut costs, avoid buying large supplies of syringes, and reduce waste. However, talk with your doctor or nurse before you begin reusing. They can help you decide whether it would be a safe choice for you. If you are ill, have open wounds on your hands, or have poor resistance to infection, you should not risk insulin syringe reuse. Syringe makers will not guarantee the sterility of syringes that are reused.

Since it's difficult to guarantee reused insulin syringes are sterile, most syringe manufacturers recommend using syringes only once. However, if your doctor agrees to it, insulin syringes can be reused to save money. Keep in mind that syringe needles can become dull after one or more uses, which makes injections more painful. If you reuse syringes, be sure to follow the safety guidelines your doctor recommends. Never share syringes or reuse them if you're sick. They carry a risk of infection.

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