Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Omnipod is a family of insulin delivery systems made by Insulet in which the pump is a small, tubeless, wearable unit called a Pod. The Pod is filled with insulin, worn on the body, and told what to deliver by a separate handheld controller or smartphone app. Clinic staff, buyers and students searching “what is Omnipod” are usually trying to separate the parts of the system, tell the three generations apart, and see which limits the manufacturer states for the Pod and its controller.
Who uses it: people with diabetes who use insulin, on a prescription, together with the healthcare provider who trained them; clinic and pharmacy staff who handle the supplies; and students learning how insulin pumps differ from syringe-and-pen delivery.
What is Omnipod?
Omnipod is described by its manufacturer as a “tubeless, waterproof insulin pump called a Pod.” Unlike a conventional pump that sits on a belt and sends insulin through a long tube, the Pod is a single unit worn on the body, and it delivers insulin through a thin, flexible tube called a cannula. The manufacturer states that one Pod provides up to 3 days (72 hours) of continuous insulin delivery and can be worn almost anywhere insulin is normally injected. Insulet describes Omnipod 5 as delivering insulin for up to 3 days without daily injections.
For readers comparing it with other pump types, see the CASRAI explainer on the IV infusion pump, a different device class used for hospital infusions.
Omnipod parts: how the system is built
The manufacturer describes the system as two main parts that talk to each other wirelessly, with a third part added in the automated version:
- The Pod. The wearable, insulin-holding unit. It receives delivery instructions from the controller and delivers insulin through the cannula. It is applied to the skin with an adhesive.
- The controller. On the original and DASH systems this is a handheld Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) that programs the Pod and wirelessly monitors its operation. On Omnipod 5 the controls are in the Omnipod 5 app, which runs on a compatible smartphone or on an Insulet-provided Controller.
- A CGM sensor (Omnipod 5 only). A continuous glucose monitor sends glucose values and trends to the Pod so the system can make automated insulin delivery decisions. Insulet lists Dexcom G7, FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus and FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus as compatible, and says Dexcom G6 remains supported for as long as that sensor is available.
- The cannula. The small, flexible tube through which the Pod delivers insulin.
Omnipod 5 vs DASH vs the original Omnipod
Insulet currently describes three Pod-based systems on its website. The table uses wording from Insulet’s product and important-safety-information pages.
| Feature | Omnipod 5 | Omnipod DASH | Original Omnipod |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Automated Insulin Delivery System; the manufacturer says it adjusts insulin delivery automatically using CGM data | “A tubeless, wireless insulin management system” | Tubeless Pod system with a handheld Personal Diabetes Manager |
| Controller | Omnipod 5 app on a compatible smartphone, or Insulet-provided Controller | Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) | Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) |
| Needs a CGM | Yes, for automated delivery | Not listed as a component; interoperable with a compatible blood glucose meter | Not listed as a component |
| Stated Pod wear time | Up to 72 hours (3 days) | Up to 72 hours (3 days) | Replace at least once every 48 to 72 hours, or after 200 units |
| Stated indication | Type 1 diabetes, 2 years and older; type 2 diabetes, 18 years and older | Diabetes mellitus in persons requiring insulin | Diabetes mellitus in persons requiring insulin |
| Use and access | Single patient, home use; requires a prescription | Single-patient use | Single-patient use |
Specifications that matter
| Specification | Stated value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin capacity | Up to 200 units of U-100 rapid-acting insulin | Omnipod 5 Pod |
| Continuous delivery per Pod | Up to 3 days (72 hours) | Omnipod 5 and DASH |
| Water resistance of the Pod | IP28: up to 25 feet for 60 minutes | DASH Pod |
| Water resistance of the Pod | IPX8: up to 25 feet for 60 minutes | Original Pod |
| Water resistance of the Pod | IP28: up to 25 feet for 60 minutes | Omnipod 5 Pod |
| Water resistance of controllers | The Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) and the Omnipod 5 Controller are not waterproof | All systems |
| Atmospheric pressure limit | Do not use below 700 hPa (for example at elevations above about 10,000 feet / 3,000 meters) | Omnipod 5 |
| Oxygen environments | Do not use in oxygen-rich environments (greater than 25% oxygen), such as hyperbaric chambers | Omnipod 5 |
The practical point for anyone handling the equipment: Insulet gives a water rating for the Omnipod 5 and DASH Pods (IP28) and the original Pod (IPX8), and says the controllers are not waterproof. The pressure and oxygen limits are manufacturer warnings for the Omnipod 5 System.
Who it is for, and who it is not for
The systems require a prescription and are labeled for single-patient use. Insulet’s important safety information says the Omnipod 5 System is not recommended for people who are unable to monitor glucose as recommended by their healthcare provider, are unable to maintain contact with their healthcare provider, are unable to use the system according to instructions, or are taking hydroxyurea (which can cause falsely elevated CGM readings). It also lists people without adequate hearing or vision to recognise all system functions. For SmartAdjust, the automated-delivery feature, it states it should not be used by anyone under 2 years old or by people who need fewer than 5 units of insulin per day, and that it has not been evaluated in pregnant women, critically ill patients or people on dialysis. For DASH, it lists inability to monitor blood glucose as recommended; for the original system, inability to perform at least four blood glucose tests per day.
How to choose
Choosing a pump system is a decision for the person and their healthcare provider, not for a product page or a purchasing desk. The only selection criteria that the manufacturer instructions state are the ones above: the stated indication and age range for each system, the contraindications, the need for a compatible CGM on Omnipod 5, and the requirement that the user be trained by a healthcare provider before use. Staff who stock or document these supplies can use the table to see which controller, sensor and Pod go with which system. For stocking context, see the CASRAI diabetes clinic supply checklist. Related infusion-pump equipment categories are listed under infusion pumps.
Safe use and handling basics
- Use only the insulin types the manufacturer says are compatible: the DASH and original instructions specify rapid-acting U-100 insulin.
- Follow the replacement interval in the instructions for the system in use (see the table) and the healthcare provider’s directions.
- Do not use the system until trained by a healthcare provider.
- For Omnipod 5, avoid injecting or inhaling insulin while wearing an active Pod.
- Insulet states the Pod is considered biohazardous after use and can potentially transmit infectious diseases. Facilities can compare this with the CASRAI guide to sharps disposal regulations.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the whole system is waterproof. Insulet rates the Pods (IP28 for Omnipod 5 and DASH, IPX8 for the original) but says the PDM and the Controller are not waterproof.
- Treating Omnipod as one product. Omnipod 5, DASH and the original system differ in controller, CGM use, indication and stated Pod interval.
- Ignoring environment limits. Insulet states the Omnipod 5 System must not be used at low atmospheric pressure or in oxygen-rich environments.
- Mixing up pump delivery with syringe delivery. Insulin syringe selection is a separate topic covered in the insulin syringe sizing guide.
FAQ
What is Omnipod?
A tubeless insulin delivery system from Insulet in which a wearable Pod holds and delivers insulin, controlled by a handheld device or smartphone app.
What are the parts of an Omnipod?
The Pod, a controller (PDM, Controller or the Omnipod 5 app on a compatible phone), the cannula inside the Pod, and for Omnipod 5 a compatible CGM sensor.
Is Omnipod waterproof?
Insulet lists the Omnipod 5 and DASH Pods as IP28 and the original Pod as IPX8, for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Personal Diabetes Manager and the Controller are not waterproof.
How long does one Pod last?
Insulet states up to 3 days (72 hours) of continuous insulin delivery per Pod. The original system’s instructions say to replace the Pod at least once every 48 to 72 hours or up to 200 units of insulin.
Does Omnipod require a prescription?
Yes. Insulet states Omnipod 5 requires a prescription and is intended for single-patient use.
Sources
- Insulet, What is Omnipod?, omnipod.com, checked 2026-10-30.
- Insulet, Omnipod 5, omnipod.com, checked 2026-10-30.
- Insulet, Important safety information (Omnipod 5, DASH and original system), omnipod.com, checked 2026-10-30.
