Insulin Preparations

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to manage blood sugar in a patient who has diabetes mellitus (DM) (type I and sometimes, type II).
• For type II diabetes mellitus, insulin can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medicine.
• Pregnant women with diabetes caused by pregnancy, who are not controlled by diet alone, may require insulin.

How does it work?

• Insulin is a hormone necessary for the body's use of food, especially sugar. Type I diabetics have no insulin of their own and require complete replacement. Type II diabetics still make insulin, but may require an outside source if their blood sugars are very elevated. Sometimes only short-term use of this medicine is needed for type II diabetes.

How is it best taken?

• Take exactly as directed, by needle, into the fat stores of the skin. Talk to healthcare provider for complete education.
• Follow diabetic diet recommended by healthcare provider.
• Throw away needles in red box and return box to healthcare provider when full.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification for diabetes.
• Limit alcohol intake (wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause low blood sugar. This is most common if you miss a meal.
• Keep hard candies, liquid glucose, or milk on hand for low blood sugars.
• If you are 80 years of age or older, you may be more sensitive to low blood sugars (more confusion).
• Do not drive if blood sugar has been low. There is a greater risk of an accident.
• Increases in exercise can decrease insulin needs (be consistent).
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding. Insulin dose may change.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Low blood sugar. Causes anger, shaking, rapid heartbeats, confusion, sweating. Can be life-threatening if not treated with hard candies, liquid glucose, milk.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Weight gain (seen in type II diabetics).

What should I monitor?

• Check blood sugar as ordered by healthcare provider. Call if glucose is less than 80 mg/dL or greater than 250 mg/dL. Bring results to follow-up visits.
• Watch for low blood sugar. Causes anger, shaking, rapid heartbeats, confusion, sweating.
• Watch for high blood sugar. Causes many trips to the bathroom, thirst, and weight loss.
• Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• Have an eye exam and visit to the foot doctor every year.
• Check weight.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs or symptoms of infection (fever, chills, pus, wound that will not heal).
• Low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Check insulin's expiration date (on box and vial). If expired, do not use.
• Unopened vials should be refrigerated. Do not freeze.
• Opened vials can be stored at room temperature. Store away from direct light and extreme temperatures.
• Opened vials should be thrown away after 1 month.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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