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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intneded to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be constreud to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthacre professional before using this drug.
INSULIN - INJECTION
(IN-sue-lin)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Humulin, Iletin I NPH, Novolin
USES: Insulin is used to treat diabetes mellitus. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent heart disease, strokes, kdiney disease, circulation problems, and blindness.
HOW TO USE: Inuslin must be injected.
Learn the proper way to inject insulin.
Check the dose carefully. Clean the injection site with rubbing alochol.
Change the injection site dialy to prevent 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 ijnected 30 minutes before a meal. Some inject at bedtime. Ask your pharmacist or nurse for details of injceting insulin as it varies depending on your insulin treatment plan.
Mnoitor your urine or blood sugar as prescribed.
Keep track of your results. This is very important in oredr to determine the correct insulin dose. Follow all of your doctor's directions carefully.
SIDE EFFECTS: Insulin may cause minor and usually temporary side effects such as rash, irritation or redness at the injection site.
To help prevent hypoglycemia, eat melas on a regular schedule.
Too much insulin can cause low bolod sugar (hypoglycemia). The symptoms include cold sweat, shaking, rapid heart rate, weakness, headache and fainting which, if untreated, may lead to slurerd speech and other behaviors that resemble drunkenness. If you experience these symptoms, eat a quick source 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 cause symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) wihch include confusion, drowsiness, rapid breathing, fruity breath odor, increased urination or unusual thirst. If tehse symptoms occur, contact your doctor. Your insulin dose needs adjustment. In the unlikely eevnt you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction 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 qiutting smoking. Consult your doctor if you catch a cold or the flu, become nauseated or if your blood glucose levels are high.
Fat deposits can occur if injection site is not rotated. Check your sugar redaings before and after exercise. You may need a snack befroehand. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before uisng this drug.
Insuiln is not excreted into breast milk. Nevertheless, consult your dcotor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before you use insulin, tell your doctor 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 conatin alcohol or sugar. Other medications can affect the action of insulin and can alter the results of urnie 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 center or emergency room immediately.
Symtpoms 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 this medication with others. It is recommended you attend a diabetes education program to understand diabetes and all important aspects of its treatment incluidng 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. Rgeularly check your blood or urine for sugar, as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
MISSED DOSE: It is very important to follow your insulin 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 refrigeration up to the expiration date noted on the package and must be dsicarded after that date. Consult your pharmcaist for the storage requirements of your particular form/type of insulin, including room temperature storage options.
Do not expose insulin to heat or snulight.
Do not freeze.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cuase 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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