General Information and Indications:
Insulin is a hormone produced in the
pancreas. Insulin is necessary to move sugar from the blood into other body
tissues where it is needed for energy. Insulin also helps the body to
metabolize (process) carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from the diet. In a
person with diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin for the
body's needs, so additional insulin is required. It must be injected because
stomach acid would destroy it if taken by mouth. Insulin controls, but does
not cure, diabetes. It must be taken regularly. People with diabetes
gradually develop serious nerve, blood vessel, kidney, and eye problems,
especially if the diabetes is not controlled properly.
Information For Users:
Insulin usually is given by subcutaneous (beneath the
skin) injection. The amount of insulin you need depends on diet, other
diseases, exercise, and other drugs you are taking and may change with time.
Your doctor will determine how often and at what time of day to inject your
insulin, as well as what type of insulin will best control the level of
sugar in your blood.
Insulin controls high blood sugar but does not cure diabetes. Continue
taking insulin even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking insulin
without informing your doctor.
The different types of insulin vary as to how quickly they start to work and
how long they go on reducing the amount of blood sugar. For example,
rapid-acting insulins, such as regular insulin and Semilente, start to work
in 30–60 minutes and go on working for 5–16 hours; long-acting insulins,
such as Ultralente, start to work in 4–8 hours and continue working for 36
hours.
All insulin bottles are marked with large black letters to indicate what
type of insulin they contain. For example, regular = R and Ultralente = U.
You must know both the type of insulin you use and how many units (or how
many units of each type of insulin if you take more than one) to take with
each injection. There are two different strengths of insulin: U-100 and
U-500. Your doctor will determine which strength you should use.
U-100 syringes must be used with U-100 insulin, and different syringes must
be used with U-500 insulin. Be sure to get the right kind and the same brand
each time.
Plastic syringes are disposable; use a new one for each injection. Used
needles will hurt more and may cause an infection. Do not use the insulin if
it has changed color or if the expiration date on the bottle has passed.
Regular insulin should be a clear, colorless solution (U-500 may be straw
colored). Discard the bottle if the solution is cloudy or thickened. Other
forms of insulin should be cloudy.
Roll the bottle between the palms of your hands and turn it upside down
gently several times to mix it and warm it before preparing your dose. Do
not shake the bottle vigorously. Do not use it if the insulin has clumped,
if lumps or particles are stuck to the sides of the bottle.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor to show you how to prepare your insulin dose.
Wipe the rubber cap with an alcohol pad or cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol.
It is easier to withdraw insulin if you first inject air into the bottle.
Pull the syringe plunger back to draw up the same number of units of air as
insulin that you will be taking. Insert the needle through the rubber cap
and inject the air into the bottle. Invert the bottle and syringe, pull back
on the plunger to draw insulin into the syringe, and measure the correct
number of units of insulin. Be sure that there are no bubbles in the
syringe. While the bottle is still inverted, you can tap gently on the
syringe to eliminate these bubbles.
Preparing Your Dose:
If you have trouble seeing the small markings on the syringe, have someone
help you. Also, let your doctor and pharmacist know about this problem. They
can provide syringes that are easier to read, special tools to help you fill
the syringe, or prefilled syringes. If you take two types of insulin at the
same time, such as regular and NPH, do not change the order of mixing.
Whenever you mix regular insulin with another type of insulin, draw up the
regular insulin (the clear solution) first.
You will be shown how to inject insulin correctly. You can inject it into
your abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and arms. Clean the skin at the injection
site with an alcohol pad or rubbing alcohol. Pinch a fold of skin with your
fingers at least 3 inches apart and insert the needle at a 45–90-degree
angle. Then inject the insulin, withdraw the needle, and press lightly (do
not rub) on the skin.
Injecting Your Dose:
Use a different site for each injection, about 1 inch away from the previous
injection but in the same general area (e.g., thigh). Use all available
sites in the same general area before switching to a different area (e.g.,
arm). Do not use the same injection site more often than once every month or
two.
Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you have
had an allergic reaction to beef or pork, insulin, or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, including vitamins. Other medications can affect
the action of insulin and can cause inaccurate results in urine tests for
sugar or ketones. Do not take nonprescription medications, particularly cold
and allergy medications, and medications that contain alcohol or sugar
without informing your doctor or pharmacist.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding thyroid, liver, or kidney
disease or a severe infection.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking insulin, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking insulin.
Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your
doctor or dietitian. It is important to eat a healthful diet. Do not start a
diet or an exercise program without informing your doctor. Your insulin dose
may need to be changed.
Alcohol may cause a decrease in blood sugar. Ask your doctor about the safe
use of alcoholic beverages while you are using insulin.
To monitor the effectiveness of insulin,
measure the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood or urine (when blood
sugar is above a certain high level, you will have sugar in your urine). For
these measurements, you will need special paper tapes, tablets, or plastic
strips that change color depending on how much sugar is present. You also
can use a blood glucose meter to measure the amount of sugar in your blood.
Your doctor also may ask you to test your urine for ketones (substances
present when diabetes is not under control). Follow your doctor's
recommendations for testing your urine and blood and for recording the
results. If your blood sugar is high or if sugar or ketones are present in
your urine, call your doctor.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
You should know the symptoms of low and high
blood sugar and what to do if you have them.
Eat or drink a food or beverage with sugar in it, such as hard candy or
fruit juice, and call your doctor without delay if you have any of the
symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar):
o shakiness
o lightheadedness or dizziness
o sweating
o confusion
o nervousness or irritability
o sudden changes in behavior or mood
o headache
o numbness or tingling around the mouth
o weakness
o pale skin
o sudden hunger
o clumsy or jerky movements
o seizures
call your doctor without delay if you have any of the following symptoms of
hyperglycemia (high blood sugar):
o extreme thirst
o frequent urination
o extreme hunger
o weakness
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
If high blood sugar is not treated, a serious, life-threatening condition
called diabetic ketoacidosis could develop. call your doctor without delay
if you have any of the these symptoms:
o dry mouth
o upset stomach and vomiting
o shortness of breath
o breath that smells fruity
o decreased consciousness
Insulin may cause adverse effects. Inform your doctor if any of the
following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o redness, swelling, and itching at the injection site
o changes in the feel of your skin, fat build-up, or fat breakdown
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o exaggerated sunburn
o yellowing of the skin or eyes, jaundice
o light-colored stools
o dark urine
o unusual bruising or bleeding
o fever
o sore throat
Brand Name(s):
o Humulin®
o Iletin®
o Novolin®
o Velosulin® |
