What is a Diabetes Patch and How Does it Work?

Diabetes affects not only a person’s health but also their lifestyle. Many people with diabetes have to monitor blood sugar levels and give themselves insulin injections multiple times a day, which is painful and time-consuming. Certain devices can make managing diabetes easier by helping to keep blood glucose levels in a healthy range while allowing people with diabetes to live an active lifestyle. Please continue reading to learn more about diabetes patches, including what they are and how they work.

What are the different types of diabetes patches?

Patches that monitor blood glucose levels

Diabetes patches that monitor blood sugar levels around the clock are called continuous glucose monitors or CGM devices. They consist of an adhesive patch that contains a glucose-sensing polymer that detects the current glucose level in the interstitial fluid between cells. People taking diabetes treatment need to track their blood sugar levels so that they know how much insulin to take. Very high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) or very low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) can cause serious health complications, even death. 

CGM can help monitor blood sugar in two different ways: real-time CGMs (rtCGMs) and intermittently scanned CGMs (iscCGMs).

Real-time CGMs (continuous glucose monitors) collect data every 5 minutes. This makes it easier to monitor blood sugar levels closely, calculate how much medicine (insulin) to take, and reduce the need for multiple daily fingersticks with tiny needles. 

Intermittently scanned CGMs (continuous glucose monitors) require users to scan using a handheld reader or smart device to access the glucose levels. 

Patches that help to control blood sugar with insulin

Diabetes patches that provide a continuous subcutaneous infusion of insulin are called insulin pumps. They replace the need to administer insulin by injection multiple times a day. A smart insulin patch can deliver a constant baseline flow of insulin (basal rate) and can also be programmed to calculate insulin doses at mealtimes (bolus rate). Currently available technology allows an insulin pump to communicate with a CGM device and deliver the required insulin dosage based on the current blood sugar level. 

How does the diabetes monitoring patch work?

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM device) consists of a sensor placed on your skin that can sense glucose levels 24 hours a day. It sends the readings to a wearable device or cellphone app. The sensor device comes with an adhesive backing that sticks to your skin. A transmitter clicks into place and sends data to a receiver or phone app. When it’s time to change the diabetes patch, you peel it off like a Band-Aid, replace it with a new sensor, and reuse the transmitter.

The following brands of continuous glucose monitors (CGM devices) currently have FDA approval in the U.S.: 

• Dexcom for people aged 2 years and above.

• Freestyle Libre (Freestyle Libre 2 for people aged 4 years and above and Freestyle Libre 14 for people aged 18 years and above).

• Medtronic Guardian Connect System for people between 14 and 75 years old.

• Senseonics Eversense for people 18 years and older. 

How do insulin pump patches work?

There are five brands of insulin pumps that currently have FDA approval in the U.S. for diabetes care:

• Tandem and Medtronic: These devices consist of an insulin reservoir with an electronic control that connects to the infusion set with tubing. Both brands have the option to communicate directly with a CGM and manage insulin delivery based on the blood sugar level.

• Insulet Omnipod: This insulin pump consists of a waterproof insulin reservoir and infusion set without any tubing. User input is used to communicate the basal and bolus insulin dosing. The device then sends these commands to the insulin pump. It can be controlled with a compatible smartphone. 

• Valeritas V-Go: This is a wearable insulin device that delivers a continuous rate of basal insulin for 24 hours as well as on-demand mealtime doses of insulin. It does not have any batteries and cannot communicate with a CGM. After applying the diabetes patch, patients need to press a button to deliver insulin. 

• CeQur Simplicity: This injection-free insulin pump provides rapid-acting insulin for use at mealtimes. It can hold up to 200 units of insulin to correct mealtime or above-target blood glucose levels. You need to press a button on the side of the patch for 2 units of insulin delivery.

What type of diabetes needs a patch?

The American Diabetes Association recommends diabetes patches for people with type-1 diabetes mellitus and advanced type-2 diabetes mellitus. These individuals typically need to measure blood sugar levels and take insulin shots multiple times a day to keep blood sugar levels in the target range. Insulin is a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar levels. People with type 1 diabetes make very little to no insulin. People with type-2 diabetes make insulin but do not use it effectively. This type of therapy has been beneficial for the control of type 1 diabetes in children in whom treatment tends to be more difficult. Find out more about the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Where do you put a diabetic patch?

CGMs: You put a continuous glucose monitor (CGM device) on your abdomen (Dexcom), the back of your upper arm (Freestyle Libre), or your stomach or arm (Guardian Connect System).

Insulin pumps: The insulin infusion set can be worn anywhere on your body where you would inject insulin, such as your upper arm, abdomen, upper buttocks, hips, or upper legs. Your healthcare provider will guide you on the best site for optimum absorption. If you choose your abdomen, be careful to avoid the belt line or waistline where you would bend, an area of 2 inches around your belly button, and 3 inches around your CGM device. Also, avoid placing the insulin pump on moles, stretch marks, scars, or tattoos.

How often do you change a diabetes patch?

CGMs: The Dexcom CGM can be worn for up to 10 days. Freestyle Libre CGM can be worn for up to  14 days. The Guardian Connect System CGM device can be worn for up to 7 days.

Insulin pumps: The Tandem insulin pump can hold up to 300 units of insulin. The Insulet Omnipod needs to be changed every 72 hours (3 days). V-Go needs to be changed every 24 hours. CeQur Simplicity is a 3-day insulin patch.