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Using insulin syringes vs. others

16 replies8 peopleJan 28, 2026☆ Follow
Summary

Do peptide users need insulin syringes specifically, or do pens and other syringe options work better for subq injections and filtration?

The thread shows users comparing insulin syringes, Luer-lock options, and pens for peptide administration. Pens are praised for convenience and thinner needles that reduce pain, while some stick with syringes for simplicity and availability. Filtration into pen cartridges is common practice among those using pens, and Luer locks exist but short thin needles for subq can be hard to source. Insulin syringes remain popular mainly because they are easy to get in bulk.

What this discussion establishesWhere people disagree

Strong preference for pens versus continued use of plain syringes; concerns over pen smoothness and low-dose accuracy versus reliability of manual syringes

Still open

Whether filtration is strictly necessary for all users and which exact needle gauge-length combination is optimal for everyone

Nothing here is advice.

16 replies · 8 people
WryQuill22archiveopening postJan 28

Hi. I've looked through older threads and noticed a few common approaches to giving the shots: regular syringes, pens where you dial the dose and push by hand, and autoinjectors that do the pushing for you. Filtration with syringes is what I'm leaning toward, though opinions on keeping carts or vials sterile and on the pens themselves are all over the place. An autoclave isn't something I'm planning to get soon. Do insulin syringes have to be the ones I use? Besides pens, is there any 1cc syringe that lets you swap the needle between drawing up and injecting? I can't find Luer-lok versions in the 1ml size, only slip types, which don't sound great. Any issues with using regular syringes instead? If it comes down to it I'll just go with the syringes I already have. No interest in pens right now, but I want to check all the angles first.

SlowLantern99archiveJan 28

I picked up some 1cc Luer Locks from a forum sponsor. The main problem you run into is locating thinner needles that are also short enough to make sub-q shots easy.

WryQuill22archiveJan 29
↳ replying to @SlowLantern99

Thanks. I'm a big fan of both the Daily Dose of Wisdom and the other stuff too.

SteadyQuill55archiveJan 29

I use pens even for tirz. Nothing about regular peptide use feels easier or better to me without them. I tried a syringe the other day because I didn't feel like loading a cart and hated it. Before I had pens I couldn't understand why anyone would choose one unless they were bored.

SharpWillow20archiveJan 29

Pen needles hurt a lot less for me than the ones on syringes.

ClearWillow59archiveJan 29
↳ replying to @SharpWillow20

The smallest gauge needles only come as pen needles, like 32 or even 34. Those thinner ones hurt less. The smallest I could find on syringes was 31 and it worked okay. Look for sterilized ones, and diabetes supply places sell them in bulk so they cost less.

SharpWillow20archiveJan 29
↳ replying to @ClearWillow59

I was on 30g insulin needles while the pen ones were 31g. The 31g hurt less.

ClearWillow59archiveJan 29
↳ replying to @SharpWillow20

The smaller the needle, meaning the higher the gauge number, the less pain I notice.

PlainKettle27archiveJan 29

Insulin syringes get recommended a lot simply because they're easy to find. In most states you can order them online in bulk for cheap.

SlowLantern99archiveJan 29

I'll know it's over for me once mental calculations stop working at all, so I'll get my name inked on my hand just to keep track of who I am! 🤣

ClearWillow59archiveJan 29

Yes they are a great resource.

WryQuill22archiveJan 29
↳ replying to @SteadyQuill55

Hi. If you don't mind me asking, do you filter straight into the carts? Also, have you tried any newer pens lately? Last I checked the ones from Ali weren't working out. Which ones did you end up keeping?

ClearWillow59archiveJan 29
↳ replying to @WryQuill22

Hi, happy to share what I've done. I filter everything now following the steps from 50shadesofgreymarket and peptidetest.com, though I tweak them a little. Their advice is solid. Since I only reconstitute one or two 30mg vials at a time I use the 4mm filters even though they can be tricky and sometimes get tossed. I don't want to waste peptide with a 13mm one. I prewet them with bac water during reconstitution. Search the threads on filtering, there are several worth reading all the way through. Peptidetest has video links on their site under education. I wanted one of those colorful cart holders but for now I'm using three wooden clothespins to keep the cart steady while I filter the solution in. I got all my pens from Alibaba, the V1 kind, and they've worked fine for many months. I still haven't tested dose accuracy on them. Shipping to Hawaii was a hassle. The same style is sold at underground supply, all things peptides and other places. Next time I'd buy from one of those instead.

BlueAlder12archiveFeb 15

My problem with the insulin tuberculin syringes that come with a 31g needle is they feel too flimsy to push through the vial diaphragm when drawing liquid. Can someone also explain why filtration is needed? Thanks.

SteadyQuill55archiveFeb 15
↳ replying to @WryQuill22

Sorry for the delay in getting back to that. I actually do add filters when loading my cartridges. I attach a vent needle covered by a filter to one end, plus a filtered needle on the luer lock at the opposite end, both positioned off-center so the insertion spot stays undamaged. I also skipped trying any other versions. After seeing those models rebound partway through the push, I felt annoyed, yet realized I really only need four pens total—one per compound plus a backup so I won't get stuck replacing just a single unit if something fails. I already owned a pair of the prior models, which I find oversized for my smaller hands, though they run smoothly, precisely, and without issues. So I bought two more pens plus extra cartridges, then went back to my regular routine.

KeenCinder64archiveMar 1
↳ replying to @ClearWillow59

I ordered V2 from alibaba but even after testing them and finding them fairly accurate, I worry there's still room for error if I push too fast. The pen isn't very smooth so it takes force to push slowly, and with only 6 units that makes me concerned I'm getting two-thirds instead of the full dose. When I reconstitute next time I'll add more BAC so the volume is larger and that might ease some of the worry.

ClearWillow59archiveMar 2
↳ replying to @KeenCinder64

I tried measuring by filling cartridges with water and dispensing portions onto a scale for checking. Some devices showed big differences in amounts while others stayed consistent. Usually the containers cause problems instead of the delivery tool. My grip improves with use and learns the right force needed. I've started with small quantities to monitor personal reactions before making tiny adjustments upward. Variability in black market container concentrations makes this method seem better for me. Things depend on the situation. How the substances influence my individual system stands out as key. I note everything down in a logbook.

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