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If you take insulin to manage diabetes, you know how important it is to stay on track with taking your insulin to keep your glucose (blood sugar) in check. Wearing a diabetes patch might make it easier to track your blood sugar or get the right amount of insulin without the need for shots or finger pricks.
In this article, we’ll look at the different types of diabetes patches, how they’re used, and how they might make living with diabetes easier.
Diabetes patches are wearable devices that stick to your skin and support diabetes management. Some patches help you monitor your glucose levels, whereas others are used to deliver medicine, like insulin. Not every patch does the same job — they’re designed for different needs.
Always follow the instructions from your doctor or on the patch packaging. Some patches go on the upper arm, whereas others stick to the skin on your stomach. Placing the patch in the right spot allows it to work correctly. You also might need to take other steps, like pressing a button at certain times.
How long you wear a patch depends on the type. Some are changed every 24 hours, whereas others stay on up to 10 days.
Your doctor might recommend a diabetes patch as part of your broader diabetes treatment plan. Some patches are available over the counter, but it’s still important to talk with your doctor before using one.
A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) patch is an adhesive patch with a transmitter and sensor that you stick on your skin. The sensor measures the amount of glucose in the fluid under your skin and sends this information back to a separate device or your smartphone.
A CGM can help you and your doctor better understand how your blood sugar changes throughout the day. This can make it easier to decide when to take insulin or adjust your meals and physical activity.
Some patches are part of insulin delivery systems. Instead of giving yourself insulin with a needle, you can wear a pump or patch that delivers insulin under your skin for one to three days at a time. These systems are also called continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion devices. Some patches help keep an insulin pump in place.
Microneedle-array patches are a newer option still being tested in research studies. These patches have tiny, barely visible needles that may one day be able to both check your blood sugar and automatically give you insulin or glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar).
Insulin molecules are large, so they don’t absorb easily through the skin. That’s why true insulin patches that work without needles are still in development.
Some herbal skin patches claim to help treat diabetes using natural ingredients that go through your skin, but there isn’t enough scientific evidence to show that these patches are effective.
Diabetes patches, including CGMs and insulin pump patches, offer several benefits that can make daily management of diabetes a little easier and more comfortable.
Wearable CGMs give you real-time measurements of your blood sugar. Once the patch is on, you don’t need to check your blood sugar by hand throughout the day.
Benefits of CGM patches include:
Insulin delivery patches, such as insulin pumps held on with a patch or future microneedle patches, may help you more easily manage diabetes. The patches can:
Diabetes patches can make daily care easier, but they may not be the right fit for everyone. Some people find they prefer managing diabetes without wearable devices.
Before choosing a patch, consider the following factors:
If you use an insulin pump that doesn’t connect to a CGM, you’ll still need to check your blood sugar regularly. It’s also possible for the pump to come loose or stop working, so it’s a good idea to keep injectable insulin available just in case.
People with type 2 diabetes who don’t take insulin can now get an FDA-approved CGM at a drugstore without a prescription. This nonprescription CGM, which became available in 2024, sends blood sugar readings directly to a smartphone.
Other patches, such as prescription CGMs and insulin pumps, require a few extra steps.
Most FDA-approved CGMs require a prescription. An insulin pump, related supplies, and insulin cartridges also require a prescription. Talk with your doctor about your options. If you’re prescribed an insulin pump, your doctor or the device manufacturer can help connect you with a certified trainer who will show you how to use it safely and correctly.
Some insurance plans cover diabetes patches or make them more affordable. Medicaid and other insurance providers might require lab work, such as a C-peptide or fasting glucose test, before approving coverage for an insulin pump and supplies.
Most plans cover prescription CGMs only for people who take insulin. If your insurance doesn’t cover a prescription CGM, you might still be able to buy an over-the-counter version.
Several trusted brands of CGM and insulin delivery diabetes patches are available. Many are widely used by people living with diabetes and are recommended by healthcare professionals. DiabetesTeam members have offered feedback about their experiences with some of these devices.
Dexcom makes a CGM that sticks to your abdomen (belly). The patch holds a sensor, and a small transmitter clicks into place on top. It sends your blood sugar readings to your smartphone or a Dexcom reader. The sensor patch is replaced every 10 days, while the transmitter is reusable.
A DiabetesTeam member shared their experience using a Dexcom CGM: “I love my Dexcom 7. It’s so helpful knowing your glucose numbers continuously. It helps me see in real time how food affects my levels. I especially like the alarms. I don’t usually have lows, but the couple times I have, the alarms woke me out of sleep, and I was able to address the situation.”
FreeStyle Libre is another common CGM patch brand. You can wear it on the back of your arm for 14 or 15 days, depending on the model, and it checks your blood sugar every minute.
“I use the FreeStyle Libre 14-day sensor, and I have no complaints,” reported one member. “I have used it for two years, and it stays on for the full 14 days on the back of my arm. I don’t have to cover it with anything — it stays.”
The V-Go, an insulin delivery patch for adults with diabetes, delivers insulin over 24 hours. After applying the patch, you press a button to insert the needle. The device is preset to deliver a base amount of insulin, but you can also press the button for an extra dose if needed. This device doesn’t include a CGM, so you’ll still need to check your blood sugar separately.
Ask your doctor about the different types of diabetes patches and whether one might be a good fit for your lifestyle and treatment plan. They can help guide you through the options, explain the pros and cons, and answer any questions you have.
DiabetesTeam is the social network for people with diabetes and their loved ones. On DiabetesTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with diabetes.
Have you used a diabetes patch? Do you feel like your condition has improved because of it? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.
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