Insulin

Generic Name : Insulin

TradeName : Actraphane HM Penfill, Actrapid, Actrapid HM, Actrapid MC, Human actrapid, Human insulatard, Human mixtard, Human monotard, Human prodica, Human rapidica, Human rapimix, Humanzinulin, Huminsulin, Huminsulin-N, Huminsulin-R, Iletin – N, Iletin - R, Insulatard, Insula

Why it is prescribed (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 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 orally. Insulin controls - but does not cure - diabetes. It must be taken regularly. People with diabetes can gradually develop serious nerve, blood vessel, kidney, and eye problems, especially if the diabetes is not controlled properly.

When it is to be taken : Your doctor will determine how often and at what time of day to inject yor insulin, as well as what type of insulin will best control the level of sugar in your blood. 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 to 60 minutes and go on working for 5 to 16 hours; long-acting insulins, such as Ultralente, start to work in four to eight hours and continue working for 36 hours.

How it should be taken :
1. Insulin is usually given by subcutaneous (beneath the skin) injection. The amount of insulin you need depends on diet, other diseases, exercise, and drugs and may change with time.
2. All insulin bottles are marked with large black letter

Special Instruction :
1. Because diabetics are susceptible to infections, maintain good personal hygiene, particularly dental and foot care. Bathe daily; keep all cuts, scratches and open sores clean. Visit an op
2. Visit an ophthalmologist at least once a year.
3. To monitor the effectiveness of insulin, measure the amount of sugar in your blood or urine. For these measurements, you will need special paper tapes, tablets, or plastic strips that change colour depending on how much sugar is present.
4. You also can use a special device called glucometer 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.
5. Follow your doctor's instructions for testing your urine and blood and for recording the results accurately.
6. If your blood sugar is high or if sugar or ketones are present in your urine, contact your doctor.
7. Do not change your insulin dose without consulting your doctor.
8. Tell your doctor if you smoke or if you change your smoking habits while taking insulin. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
9. Special Dietary Instructions should be followed : To control diabetes, you must follow a strict diet in addition to taking insulin regularly. Your insulin dose is based in part on your intake of calories from food. Follow your doctor's instructions concerning diet, body weight, and exercies.
10. Alcoholic beverages may cause hypoglycemia i.e.,low blood sugar. Alcoholic beverages also contain calories; these calories should be taken into consideration when planning your diet.
11. When you first start taking insulin, ask your doctor what to do if you forget to take a dose at the correct time. Write down these instructions so that you can refer to them later.

Side Effects :
1. Low blood sugar i.e., hypoglycemia as a result of taking too much insulin or exercising strenuously: headache, nausea, sweating, hunger, paleness, numb mouth, tingling fingers, tremors, blurred or double vision, chills, muscle weakness, fatigue, irritability, mental confusion, uncontrolled yawning, shallow breathing, palpitations, fast hearbeat. These reactions are most common in the late afternoon or during the night when insulin is working hardest. Drink fruit juice or eat lump sugar or something containing sugar. You may wish to carry glucose with you in case you have this reaction. Glucose comes in chewable tablets and gel and is available without a prescriptiion.
2. High blood sugar i.e., hyperglycemia as a result of not taking enough insulin: frequent urination, thirst, headache, weakness, nausea, dizziness. Often it is difficult to tell if your blood sugar is too high or too low. If possible, test your blood sugar with a glucometer. Otherwise, call your doctor. If you feel faint, instruct someone to take you to your doctor or a hospital right away.

Other Precautions :
1. Tell your doctor if you ever had an allergic reaction to beef or pork insulin, if you are pregnant, and if you have any medical problem such as thyroid, liver, or kidney disease or an infection.
2. Before you take insulin, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking.
3. Other medications can affect the action of insulin and can cause inaccurate results in urine tests for sugar or ketones.
4. Do not take nonprescription medications, particularly cold and allergy medications, and medications that contain alcohol or sugar without consulting your doctor.
5. Wear or carry identification indicating that you have diabetes. Write down your doctor's name, telephone number, and the type and dose of insulin you are taking on the identification card.
6. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Store insulin in the refrigerator.
2. Never allow insulin to freeze; do not use insulin that has been frozen. 3. Never heat insulin to warm it.