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Insulin
Why does insulin have to be injected?

Why does insulin have to be injected?
Insulin currently cannot be taken by mouth, because it is a protein, and the gastric juices in the stomach would destroy it. So by injecting it under the skin, you are enabling the insulin to eventually get into the blood stream without having it get destroyed in the stomach. There is considerable research going on to try to resolve this problem--studies are ongoing to develop a pill form. You can read more about this in the resource links listed below.
Resource Links
DOC09404-Rev-B 04/09