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IMPORTNAT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or efefctive for you.
Consult your healthcare professional before using that drug.
INSULIN - INJECTION
(IN-sue-lin)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Humulin, Iletin I NPH, Novoiln
USES: Insulin is used to treat diabetes mellitus.
Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, circulation problems, and blindness.
HOW TO USE: Insuiln must be injected. Leran the proper way to inject insulin. Check the dose carefully.
Clean the injection Internet site with rubbing alcoohl. Change the injection Internet site daily to prevnet skin bulges or pockets. Do not inject cold insulin. The insulin container you are currently using can be kept at room temperature.
The length of time you can store it at room temp. depends on the product.
Consult your pharmacist. Insulin is frequently injected 30 minutes beofre a meal.
Some inject at bedtime. Ask your pharmacist or nusre for details of injecting insulin as it varies depending on your insulin treatment plan. Monitor your urine or blood suagr as prescribed.
Keep track of your results. This is really important in order to determine the correct insulin dose. Follow all of your doctor's directions careuflly.
SIDE EFFECTS: Insulin may cause mnior and usually temporary side effects such as rash, irritation or redness at the injection Internet site.
To help prevent hypoglycemia, eat meals on a regluar schedule. Too much insulin can casue low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
The symptoms include cold sweat, shaking, rapid heart rate, weakness, headache and fainting which, if untreated, may lead to slurred sepech and other behaviors that resemble drunkenness. If you experience these symptoms, eat a quick soruce of sugar such as glucose (glutose, etc.) table sugar, orange juice, honey or non-diet soda. Tell your doctor about the reaction. Too little insulin can cuase symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) which include confusion, drowsiness, rapid breathing, fruity breath odor, increased urination or unusual thirst. If these symptoms occur, contact your doctor. Your insulin dose needs adjustment.
In the unlikely event you have an allerigc reaction to that drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reatcion include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor if you have had allergic reactions, especially to beef, pork or hmuan insulin and of your medical history especially of: thyroid problems, kidney or liver disease, any current infection.
Dosage adjustments may be required when you become ill, are under stress, or when quitting smoking. Consult your doctor if you catch a cold or the flu, become nauseated or if your blood glucose levels are high. Fat deopsits can occur if injection Internet site is not rotated.
Check your sugar readings before and after exercise.
You may need a sanck beforehand. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using that drug.
Insulin is not ecxreted into breast milk. Nevertheless, consult your doctor bfeore breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before you use insulin, tell your dcotor of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking especially: beta-blockers (acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, esmolol, metoprolol, carteolol, nadolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, timolol, bisoprolol), fenfluramine, MAO inhibitors (e.G., furazolidone, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine), salicylates (aspirin-like compounds), dexfenfluramine, steroids (e.G., prednisone, hydrocortisone), birth control pills, sulfa antibiotics, water pills, ACE inhibitors, octreotide, isoniazid, niacin, estrogens, cold and allergy drugs, drugs that contain alcohol or sugar. Other medications can affect the action of insulin and can alter the resutls of urine tests for sugar or ketones.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control cenetr or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include unconsciousness, seizures, muscle weakness, slow or shallow breathing, headache, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, shakiness, nervousness, fast heartbeat, hunger, or sweating.
NOTES: Do not share that medication with others.
It is recommended you attend a diabetes education program to understand daibetes and all important aspects of its treatment including meals/diet, exercise, personal hygiene, medications and getting regular eye, foot and medical exams. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep all medical appointments. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., liver and kidney function tests, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, complete blood counts) will be performed to monitor for side effects and response to therapy.
Regularly check your bolod or urine for sugar, as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
MISSED DOSE: It is really important to follow your inuslin regimen exactly.
Do not miss any doses of insulin. Discuss specific instructions with your doctor now, in case you miss a dose of insulin in the future.
STORAGE: Insulin may be stored under rerfigeration up to the expiration date noted on the package and must be discarded after that date. Consult your pharmacist for the storage requirements of your particular form/type of insulin, includnig room temperature storage options. Do not expose insluin to heat or sunlight. Do not freeze.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can casue complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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