Who Needs To Take Insulin
Diabetes impairs insulin production by the pancreas and use of this essential hormone by the body. The condition causes high blood sugar levels.
However, not every person with type 2 diabetes will need to take insulin. People with type 1, on the other hand, will have to supplement their insulin supply for the rest of their lives.
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: Typically starts in childhood when a person does not produce enough insulin. Usually results from the bodys immune system attacking an otherwise healthy pancreas.
- Type 2 diabetes: Can develop at any age but 45 years is the average age of onset. Either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the bodys cells become resistant to its actions.
- Gestational diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy and makes it harder for a womans body to respond to insulin. Typically stops after childbirth but increases a womans risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are usually lifelong conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , more than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common, accounting for
Warnings For People With Certain Health Conditions
For people with kidney disease: Insulin is removed from your body by your kidneys. If your kidneys arent working well, insulin may build up in your body and cause low blood sugar. Your doctor may start you at a lower dose and slowly increase your dose if needed.
For people with liver disease: If you have liver failure, this drug may build up in your body. Your doctor may start you at a lower dosage and slowly increase your dosage if needed if you have liver problems. You and your doctor should monitor your blood sugar very closely.
For people with heart failure: Taking certain diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones with insulin regular may make your heart failure worse. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely while youre taking TZDs with insulin regular . Tell your doctor if you have any new or worse symptoms of heart failure.
For people with low blood potassium : Insulin can cause a shift in potassium levels, which can lead to low blood potassium. If youre using potassium-lowering medications with insulin regular , your doctor will check your blood sugar and potassium often.
Tell The Prescribing Healthcare Provider About All Medical Conditions
The prescribing healthcare provider will need a complete medical history and be updated when anything changes. In particular, make sure the prescriber knows if you have a history of:
- Liver or kidney disease
- Pregnancy or pregnancy plans
- Breastfeeding or breastfeeding plans
They will also need to know about other drugs and supplements you may be taking. As a general rule, keep a written list of any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, or herbal supplements you are taking. If a new drug or supplement is started, make sure both the prescriber and the pharmacist know about it.
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What Special Dietary Instructions Should I Follow
Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. It is important to eat a healthy diet and to eat about the same amounts of the same kinds of foods at about the same times every day. Skipping or delaying meals or changing the amount or kind of food you eat can cause problems with your blood sugar control.
How Was Your Experience With Insulin
Insulin is a prescription medication used to control hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Inhalational formulations are administered immediately before meals.
Injectable formulations are administered several times daily, depending on your condition and meal times.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
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Mortality And Treatment Side
Abstract Altogether, 102 patients were randomized to intensified conventional treatment or standard treatment . After 7.5 years, 89 patients remained, and it was shown that microangiopathy was retarded by the lower blood glucose concentrations seen in the patients in the ICT group. HbA1c was reduced from 9.5 +/- 0.2% to 7.1 +/- 0.1% in the ICT group and from 9.4 +/- 0.2% to 8.5 +/- 0.1% in the ST group . Of the patients, 4 in the ICT group and 3 in the ST group died. Mortality was predicted by albuminuria, the amplitude of the sural nerve action potential, and the test of arm blood flow during contraction of the contralateral hand at baseline . Weight increased by 4.4 +/- 1.1 kg in the ICT group and 1.8 +/- 0.7 kg in the ST group . Atherosclerosis, measured with digital pulse plethysmography, was approximately the same in the groups at baseline and after five years. In each group, 3 patients had myocardial infarctions, and 2 from each group had ketoacidosis once. There was a mean of 1.1 episodes per patient and per year of serious hypoglycemia in the ICT group and 0.4 episodes per patient and per year in the ST group. No adverse incidents or accidents were observed in either group, and there were no differences between the groups with regard to cognitive function measured with a battery of tests..Continue reading > >
Insulin Regular Side Effects
Insulin regular can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking insulin regular . This list does not include all possible side effects.
For more information on the possible side effects of insulin regular , or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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Who Should Not Take Novolog
Do not take NovoLog® if:
- your blood sugar is too low or you are allergic to NovoLog®or any of its ingredients.
Before taking NovoLog®, tell your health care provider about all your medical conditions including, if you are:
- pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- taking new prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including supplements.
Talk to your health care provider about how to manage low blood sugar.
Pregnancy And Breastfeeding While Taking Lantus
Its not known for sure if Lantus is safe to take during pregnancy. So far, clinical trials havent linked Lantus with any risk of problems with fetal development .
With diabetes, its important to maintain healthy blood sugar levels during pregnancy. For this reason, the American Diabetes Association recommends treatment with insulin, such as Lantus.
Lantus may pass into breast milk if taken while breastfeeding. However, its unlikely that Lantus will cause side effects in a child whos breastfed. Insulin is generally considered safe to use while breastfeeding.
If youre pregnant or breastfeeding, or are planning either, talk with your doctor before starting Lantus. If you do take Lantus while pregnant or breastfeeding, its likely that your doctor will adjust your dosage.
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How To Use The Lantus Solostar Insulin Pen
Now that you and your doctor have decided Lantus is right for you, watch this step-by-step video to learn how to use the Lantus SoloStar pen. But always follow your healthcare providers instructions.
Rotate your injection sites as instructed by your healthcare provider to reduce your risk of getting lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis . Do not use the same spot for each injection or inject where the skin is pitted, thickened, lumpy, tender, bruised, scaly, hard, scarred or damaged.
- Removing and discarding the needle
Super: WHAT WELL COVER:
Step One: Inject the insulin
Step Two: Attach the Needle
Step Three: Perform a Safety Test
Step Four: Select the Dose
Step Five: Inject the Dose
Step Six: Remove and Discard Needle
It is important that you go over these instructions carefully before you using your SoloStar pen.
Step one: check the insulin.
SUPER: An unopened SoloSTAR® Pen should be refrigerated until first use. Do not store an opened SoloSTAR® pen in a refrigerator.
Laura: If your SoloSTAR® pen is in cool storage, take it out 1 to 2 hours before you inject to allow it to warm up. Cold insulin may be painful to inject.
SUPER: Check the label on your SoloSTAR® pen.
Laura: First, check the label on your SoloSTAR® pen to make sure you have the correct pen and insulin. The Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen is gray with a purple injection button.
Check the expiration date on the label of your pen. Do not use a SoloSTAR® pen after the expiration date.
Storing your pen.
In People With Type 1 Diabetes
In a person with type 1 diabetes, your immune system begins attacking and destroying most or all of your beta cells. Every day, your body is trying to produce insulin via the beta cells from your pancreas. And every day, your immune system continues to destroy them.
When a person develops type 1 diabetes, they generally become very sick very quickly over the course of a few weeks or months as blood sugar levels rise to life-threatening levels.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every single day either via an insulin pump or pod or via multiple daily injections with a syringe or insulin pen. Skipping an injection or a whole day of insulin could potentially be fatal.
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Any Potential Risks Associated With Insulin Therapy Need To Be Seen In The Context Of Its Clear Benefits For Achieving Good Glucose Control
When used in combination, metformin may attenuate any risks associated with insulin. Metformin is thought to protect against cancer and have cardio-protective effects that cannot be fully explained by its ability to lower blood glucose. When used in conjunction with insulin, metformin has been associated with similar glucose control, but lower insulin doses and less weight gain. In addition, relative to the use of insulin alone, the use of metformin in combination with insulin has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events, cancer and death from any cause.6 Current ADA/EASD and IDF guidelines advocate that, when starting insulin, it should be added to existing metformin therapy and not replace it.
Any potential risks associated with insulin therapy need to be seen in the context of its clear benefits for achieving good glucose control. However, the shortage of randomised controlled trials examining the risks and benefits of using insulin on long term clinical outcomes such as cardiovascular events, cancer and death from all causes needs to be addressed in order to provide more evidence on the safety of insulin in people with type 2 diabetes.
Steve Bain
When To See A Doctor
If the common side effects of insulin are mild, they may go away in a few days or up to a few weeks. However, if the adverse reactions are more severe, you should consult your healthcare provider.
When it comes to severe side effects of insulin , you should call your doctor immediately, i.e., as soon as you notice them. If you feel your symptoms are life-threatening or have a medical emergency, you need to call 911.
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Who Should Not Take Insulin
Do not use insulin if
- You are having an episode of low blood sugar .
- You have an allergy to insulin.
- The protective cap is loose or missing. Each vial has a protective, tamper-proof plastic cap. If it is not in perfect condition when you receive the vial, return the vial to your supplier.
- It has not been stored correctly or has been frozen.
- The insulin does not appear clear and colorless.
Avoiding Injection Bruises And Lumps
Bruising can happen when you catch a tiny blood vessel under the skin where you have injected. It is quite normal for this to happen occasionally when you are injecting regularly and youre not doing anything wrong.
If you are concerned, you could make an appointment with your diabetes specialist nurse who will be able to do a review of your injection technique. In some cases, bleeding and bruising can be reduced by something as simple as using a different sized needle or changing your needle after each injection.
Some people notice hard lumps that can form if you inject in the same place too often. This might be lipohypertrophy , or could be something called cutaneous amyloidosis. These lumps can stop the insulin from working properly, so make sure you rotate where you inject and choose a different spot each time. If you notice any lumps, especially if they’re not going away, speak to your healthcare professional for more advice.
Other side effects from injecting a lot can be itching, rashes and other skin irritations. Changing where you inject helps with this too. You can also get treatments from your local pharmacy that can will help with the irritation.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Lantus
With any medication, there are risks and benefits. Even if the medication is working, you may experience some unwanted side effects.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Severe hypoglycemia – If not treated, severe hypoglycemia can lead to unconsciousness, seizures, and even death
- Severe allergic reactions
- Dangerously low levels of potassium
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your doctor know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Side Effects Of Not Taking Lantus Insulin: Diabetes Community
Report Problems With Your Medications to the FDA You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. The opinions expressed in WebMD Communities are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. Communities are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment. Do not consider Communities as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.Continue reading > >
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Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Along with its needed effects, insulin regular may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking insulin regular:
Incidence not known
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- unusually warm skin
How Should I Take Novolog
- Read the Instructions for Use and take exactly as directed.
- Eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes after taking it.
- Know the type and strength of your insulin. Do not change your insulin type unless your health care provider tells you to.
- Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your health care provider what your blood sugar levels should be and when you should check them.
- Do not reuse or share your needles with other people. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them.
- Change your injection sites within the area you choose with each injection to reduce your risk of getting lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis at the injection sites.
- Do not use the exact same spot for each injection.
- Do not inject where the skin has pits, is thickened, or has lumps.
- Do not inject where the skin is tender, bruised, scaly or hard, or into scars or damaged skin.
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What Else Can Insulin Interact With
- Drugs for pain such as salicylates
- Blood thinners such as pentoxifylline
- Drugs for asthma or allergies e.g., corticosteroids, sympathomimetic agents
- Hormones in birth control such as estrogens and progesterone
- Drugs used for HIV treatment such as protease inhibitors
- Medications for psychiatric disorders
- Drugs for tuberculosis
- Some antibiotics
- Drugs for heart disorders
- Drugs for hormone disorders
Does Insulin Have Health Risks
If your doctor has prescribed insulin as a diabetes treatment, here’s what to know about avoiding low blood sugar, weight gain, and other potential complications.
Faced with the prospect of daily insulin injections, you may be more worried about needles and syringes than potential health risks of this diabetes treatment.
In fact, insulin has been so finely tuned that health risks, side effects, and complications from insulin therapy for people with type 2 diabetes are fewer than ever before. That doesnt mean problems dont exist, but most are easily overcome with proper education, close communication with your doctor, and following his or her directions.
Here are some potential side effects of insulin therapy that you should know about:
Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar is the most serious complication associated with insulin. Also referred to as insulin reaction, it occurs when your blood sugar drops below a certain level. If your insulin dose is too high or is delivered too quickly, your blood sugar level may drop so low that it can impair brain function. In the most severe and untreated cases, low blood sugar can cause you to have a seizure, pass out, or even go into a coma.
Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar include feeling weak, drowsy, or dizzy, experiencing shakiness, confusion, anxiety, nausea, or headache, blurred vision, and sometimes a loss of consciousness.
Weight Gain
Allergic Reactions and Infections
Drug Interactions
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