What Are The Side Effects Of Insulin Shots?
Insulin is at the center of the diabetes problem. In people with type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin effectively. The pancreas compensates by overproducing insulin, and in time, it simply cannot keep up with the demands of the body to keep glucose levels down. To provide enough insulin to the body to manage blood glucose levels, many diabetics are advised to take insulin shots. The insulin in these injections is a chemical that is produced artificially to resemble the insulin made in our pancreas. This insulin works just like natural insulin by escorting sugar from our blood into our cells. Type 2 diabetics deal with a condition known as insulin resistance. It is a phenomenon where cells aren’t sensitive to the action of insulin (escorting blood glucose into cells) and hence, do not respond to it. This leads to the accumulation of glucose in the blood and is called hyperglycemia. Supplemental insulin given to Type 2 diabetics helps the body ‘muscle’ sugar out of the bloodstream and into cells. Insulin injections are used to regulate blood sugar differently for the different diabetes-types: For people who have type 1 diabetes – Their bodies cannot make insulin and therefore they aren’t able to regulate the amount of glucose in their bloodstream. For people who have type 2 diabetes – Their bodies aren’t able to produce enough insulin, or use it effectively. The insulin shots are used because the blood sugar cannot be regulated with oral medications alone. They also stop the liver from producing more sugar. Every type of insulin available in a drug store works in this way. They, mainly, differ in two ways – How quickly they begin to work For how long they can regulate blood sugar levels Mechanism of Action Regulating the process in which glucose Continue reading >>
Diabetes Medications, And The Consequences Of Forgetting
For many diabetes patients, taking their medications on schedule is a challenge. Some forget regularly, and others miss a dose here or there. Many people with diabetes rely on oral medication or insulin, or both, to control their blood glucose levels. "People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high," advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vast majority of diabetics control their blood sugar with medication or insulin. Twelve percent of adults with diagnosed diabetes take both insulin and oral medications, 53 percent take oral medications only, 19 percent take insulin only and 15 percent do not take either, according to federal health statistics. What happens if people don't adhere to their medication schedules? The potential for severe consequences is tremendous. In a 2004 study that appeared in Diabetes Care, researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes who missed doses of their medications had a greater risk of being hospitalized. The risk of hospitalization was more than twice as high among type 2 diabetics who did not adhere to their oral diabetes medications the year before. They found that skipping a dose from time to time can be very harmful. "It isn't just the patients who completely stop their medications who are at higher risk," Dr. David Nau, assistant professor in the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy and one of the study's authors, said in a report about the study. Doctors can help patients assess how well they have been treating their diabetes with a hemoglobin A-1-c test, which measures how well the patient's blood sugar has been controlled during the past few months. But diabetes medications only provide part of the picture. Because Continue reading >>
Diabetes Prescription Insulin Medications
font size A A A 1 2 3 4 5 Next For related diabetes medication information: Prescription Oral Diabetes Medications - on RxList What is the diabetes medication insulin and how does it work? Insulin is a hormone that is produced by certain cells in the pancreas called beta cells. Insulin helps the body use blood glucose (a type of sugar) for energy. When we eat and absorb food, glucose levels rise and insulin is released. Some people can't make insulin; those people are said to have type 1 diabetes. A person with type 2 diabetes can make insulin, but the body doesn't respond well to insulin; they are said to have “insulin resistance.” For what conditions is the diabetes medication insulin used? Insulin is always necessary for type 1 diabetes because the body has no internal source of insulin. People with type 2 diabetes may also need insulin, particularly those who have difficulty controlling their diabetes with oral medications. Are there differences among types of insulin? Insulins differ based on three characteristics: how quickly they start to work, when they reach their peak effect, and how long they last. Rapid-acting insulins start working in less than 15 minutes, peak in an hour, and continue working for another two to four hours. Regular, also known as short-acting insulin, takes about 30 minutes to reach the bloodstream. Its peak effect is in about two to three hours, and its effect lingers for three to six hours. Intermediate-acting insulin reaches the bloodstream in two to four hours, peaks in four to 12 hours, and works for up to 18 hours. Long-acting insulin takes six to 10 hours to start working, but it lasts for 20-24 hours. Many people with diabetes may use different types of insulins to get the optimal effect on their blood sugar levels. Premixed ins Continue reading >>
Insulin Overdose: Dosage, Symptoms, And Treatment
Insulin is an important hormone used in medical treatments for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It helps the body's cells to properly absorb sugar. Insulin is a lifesaving medication when taken correctly, but an insulin overdose can have some serious side effects. This article explores signs of insulin overdose to look out for, as well as steps to take to avoid insulin overdoses. Contents of this article: Safe vs. unsafe insulin doses There are a few things to consider to ensure a correct insulin dose. Insulin doses can vary greatly from person to person. The normal dose for one person may be considered an overdose for another. Basal insulin The insulin needed to keep the blood sugar steady throughout the day is called basal insulin. The amount of insulin needed changes from person to person based on what time of day they take it, and whether their body is resistant to insulin or not. It is best to consult a doctor to figure out the appropriate basal insulin dosage. Mealtime insulin Mealtime insulin is insulin that is taken after a meal. Glucose (sugar) is released into the bloodstream as the body breaks down food, which raises the blood sugar levels. In people with diabetes, this extra sugar must be met with extra insulin so the body can use it properly. There are a few different factors to be considered in terms of the mealtime insulin levels. People with diabetes have to consider: their pre-meal blood sugar how many carbs are in the food they are eating if they plan to do anything active after the meal Then they must factor in their own level of insulin sensitivity and the blood sugar target they want to hit after the insulin is taken. The process can be complicated and, as such, there is room for error. Other variables There are also a few different types of Continue reading >>
- Insulin overdose: Dosage, symptoms, and treatment
- Relative effectiveness of insulin pump treatment over multiple daily injections and structured education during flexible intensive insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised trial (REPOSE)
- How to use basal insulin: Benefits, types, and dosage
Must Read Articles Related To Diabetes Emergencies
A A A Diabetes Emergencies With the changes in regulations in air travel, patients with diabetes are concerned about what they can, and cannot pack in their carry-on luggage. From the TSA website: Notify the Security Officer that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. The following diabetes-related supplies and equipment are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened: Insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products (vials or box of individual vials, jet injectors, biojectors, epipens, infusers, and preloaded syringes; Unlimited number of unused syringes when accompanied by insulin or other injectable medication; lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, alcohol swabs, meter-testing solutions; Insulin pump and insulin pump supplies (cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter, and needle); Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin. Glucagon emergency kit; Urine ketone test strips; Unlimited number of used syringes when transported in Sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container. Sharps disposal containers or similar hard-surface disposal container for storing used syringes and test strips. Insulin in any form or dispenser must be clearly identified. If you are concerned or uncomfortable about going through the walk-through metal detector with your insulin pump, notify the Security Officer that you are wearing an insulin pump and would like a full-body pat-down and a visual inspection of your pump instead. Advise the Security Officer that the insulin pump cannot be removed because it is inserted with a catheter (needle) under the skin. Advise the Security Officer if you are experiencing low blood sugar and are in need of medical assistance. You have the op Continue reading >>
Ask D'mine: Revisiting The Missed Insulin Shot Question
Need help navigating life with diabetes? Ask D'Mine! That would be our weekly advice column, hosted by veteran type 1, diabetes author and clinical diabetes educator Wil Dubois This week, Wil takes another look at a common question often posed by those of us in the Diabetes Community: What do I do if I miss an insulin dose? Happens to us all, at times, and it's always good to refresh our knowledge. {Got your own questions? Email us at [email protected]} Pete, type 2 from Florida, writes:I have been struggling with diabetes for 5 years. I will sometimes fail to do my shot before dinner and wonder if I should take the 40 units when I remember? Or wait and take it before bedtime? I am looking for guidance. I am tying to find a path that works. Wil@Ask D’Mine answers: One of the universal things we insulin users suffer from — no matter what type of diabetes we have or what type of insulin we take — is the missed shot. Yep, when it comes to life on insulin, the old rodeo adage of it’s not a matter of if you get hurt; it’s only a matter of when you’ll get hurt can be translated directly into diabetes: It’s not a matter of if you will miss a shot; it’s only a matter of when you will miss a shot. We talked about this briefly a while back, but it’s such a universal problem that’s so much more complicated than it looks on the surface, that I think it’s worth revisiting today. So here’s Professor Wil’s quick course on the inevitable missed shot dilemma: Types of Insulin There are two main kinds of insulin: The fast ones and the slow ones. We’ll start slow. Actually, no. I changed my mind. We’ll start fast, because the answer for a missed fast-acting insulin shot is, well, faster. The fast insulins are Apidra, Humalog, and Novolog. One member o Continue reading >>
How Much Do Forgotten Insulin Injections Matter To Hemoglobin A1c In People With Diabetes? A Simulation Study
Go to: Forgotten or omitted insulin injections are an important contributing factor to poor glycemic control in people with type 1 diabetes. This study uses mathematical modeling and examines the impact on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels if insulin injections are forgotten. The simulation concerns people with type 1 diabetes on intensive insulin therapy. Five sets of blood glucose profiles with and without a forgotten injection were obtained. The difference to HbA1c was calculated using an HbA1c estimator on the profiles and was multiplied by the frequency of forgotten events. A frequency of 2.1 forgotten injections per week was found in the literature. Calculations showed that forgetting 2.1 meal-related injections per week would lead to an increase in HbA1c of at least 0.3–0.4% points, and similarly 0.2–0.3% points related to forgotten injections of the long-acting insulin. In case of even more pronounced nonadherence (e.g., if 39% of all injections are forgotten) there is a possible increase of HbA1c of 1.8% points. The magnitude of the possible improvement in HbA1c agrees well with other studies in the relation between adherence and HbA1c levels. The estimated numbers suggest that missing injections are an important reason for suboptimal treatment. Keywords: adherence, compliance, HbA1c, self-treatment Continue reading >>
Selected Important Safety Information
Tresiba® is contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients with hypersensitivity to Tresiba® or one of its excipients Never Share a Tresiba® FlexTouch® Pen Between Patients, even if the needle is changed. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens Monitor blood glucose in all patients treated with insulin. Changes in insulin may affect glycemic control. These changes should be made cautiously and under medical supervision. Adjustments in concomitant oral anti-diabetic treatment may be needed Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of insulin, including Tresiba®, and may be life-threatening Tresiba® (insulin degludec injection) is indicated to improve glycemic control in patients 1 year of age and older with diabetes mellitus. Tresiba® is not recommended for treating diabetic ketoacidosis or for pediatric patients requiring less than 5 units of Tresiba®. Tresiba® is contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients with hypersensitivity to Tresiba® or one of its excipients Never Share a Tresiba® FlexTouch® Pen Between Patients, even if the needle is changed. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens Monitor blood glucose in all patients treated with insulin. Changes in insulin may affect glycemic control. These changes should be made cautiously and under medical supervision. Adjustments in concomitant oral anti-diabetic treatment may be needed Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of insulin, including Tresiba®, and may be life-threatening. Increase monitoring with changes to: insulin dose, co-administered glucose lowering medications, meal pattern, physical activity; and in patients with hypoglycemia unawareness or renal or hepatic impairment Accidental mix-ups betwe Continue reading >>
Lantus Patient Information Including Side Effects
Brand Names: Lantus, Lantus OptiClik Cartridge, Lantus Solostar Pen Generic Name: insulin glargine (Pronunciation: IN su lin AS part, IN su lin AS part PRO ta meen) What is the most important information I should know about insulin glargine (Lantus, Lantus OptiClik Cartridge, Lantus Solostar Pen)? What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using insulin glargine (Lantus, Lantus OptiClik Cartridge, Lantus Solostar Pen)? What is insulin glargine (Lantus, Lantus OptiClik Cartridge, Lantus Solostar Pen)? Insulin glargine is a man-made form of a hormone that is produced in the body. It works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin glargine is a long-acting form of insulin that is slightly different from other forms of insulin that are not man-made. Insulin glargine is used to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Insulin glargine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. What are the possible side effects of insulin glargine (Lantus, Lantus OptiClik Cartridge, Lantus Solostar Pen)? Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of insulin allergy: itching skin rash over the entire body, wheezing, trouble breathing, fast heart rate, sweating, or feeling like you might pass out. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect of insulin glargine. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, trouble concentrating, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, fainting, or seizure (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal). Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Tell your doctor if you have itching, swelling, redness, or thickening of the skin where you inject insulin glargine. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call Continue reading >>
Missing Meals? Avoid Dangerous Blood Sugar If You Have Diabetes
Skipping a meal is typically no big deal. But if you have diabetes , missing meals can throw off the important balancing act between food intake and medication. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy The result is blood sugars that are too low (hypoglycemia) or too high (hyperglycemia) — and that’s dangerous. “If you take medications for diabetes that can cause low blood sugars, you should try not to skip meals,” says registered dietician Dawn Noe. “If you’re just not up to eating on a regular schedule, talk to your doctor about diabetes medications that won’t cause low blood sugars,” she says. When you’re ill or just don’t feel like eating much, it’s important to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely than ever. How often depends on whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and what medications you take. For type 1 diabetes: Be sure to monitor your blood sugar before meals and before bedtime, typically four times per day, says diabetes specialist Bartolome Burguera, MD . Beyond that, check your blood sugars if you notice symptoms of low blood sugar. Those symptoms include: For type 2 diabetes: If you are taking a sulfonylurea medication, check your blood sugars at least twice a day — in the morning and at bedtime. “It’s important to keep in mind that sulfonylureas may cause blood sugar to drop during the day if you don’t eat anything after taking your medication,” Dr. Burguera says. If your only treatment is metformin, you may not need to check your blood sugar more than once a day. This medication doesn’t typically cause hypoglycemia. It is important to be aware of the symptoms Continue reading >>
Missing Insulin Injections
Tweet Missed insulin injections are much more of a pain than the injections themselves and can cause a headache as to what effect a late injection will have and what dose should be administered. We look at this common problem and provide some guidance. Always remember that if you are at all unsure what to do, you should contact your health team for advice rather than risk making a mistake. In this article, when it says contact your health team, note that you may need to contact your out of hours service if your health team is not available. Common causes of missed injections Commonly cited reasons for missed injections include: Forgetting to take insulin Oversleeping Not having your injection kit with you Running out of insulin Having a fear of needles Deliberately missing insulin If you have problems with forgetting injections, see our forgetting injections guide dedicated to help prevent problems with forgetting to inject and if you forget whether you have injected or not. What to do if an insulin injection is missed There is not a set rule of what to do if an injection is missed as it can depend on how long ago the injection was meant to be administered and what type of insulin was to be taken. We provide some general tips but if you are in doubt, it is best to consult your health team and follow their advice. If long term/basal insulin was forgotten If you forget to take your long term insulin (basal insulin) and you realise relatively soon, it should usually be fine to inject your usual dose if the dose is given within 2 hours of when it should have been done. In this case, you’ll need to be aware that the injection was taken later and so the insulin will also be active in your body later than it would usually be. In some cases this could increase the chance of h Continue reading >>
- Exosomes are the Missing Link to Insulin Resistance in Diabetes
- Relative effectiveness of insulin pump treatment over multiple daily injections and structured education during flexible intensive insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised trial (REPOSE)
- 10 Silent Diabetes Symptoms You Might Be Missing
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Diabetes We have just diagnosed your cat with diabetes. We see a lot of cats with diabetes, and with proper care and treatment, most of them do very well and have decent quality life spans. Cause and Types: ·Every time your cat eats, they ingest glucose in various amounts. To be able to metabolize this glucose, their pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the cells to be able metabolize the glucose. ·Diabetes happens when they either are not producing enough insulin, or when their cells are insulin resistant, and require higher levels of insulin to be able to metabolize the glucose. ·When glucose cannot be adequately metabolized, it starts to build up in the blood stream, resulting in various problems. This is diabetes, also known as hyperglycemia. ·There are two types of diabetes, type I and type II. oType I diabetes is caused by failure of your cat's pancreas to produce enough insulin for the body's needs. There are several factors that can affect this. §Acute or chronic pancreatitis can damage the pancreas enough so that the pancreas can no longer secrete an adequate amount of insulin. §This can also be congenital, although congenital type I diabetes is fairly rare in cats. §Idiopathic is our third cause. Idiopathic is a medical term that means we have absolutely no idea what caused it. oType II diabetes is when the cells of the body become insulin resistant, and require higher and higher levels of insulin to be able to function. §This is most commonly caused by increased levels of fat. Fat cells produce hormones that can cause insulin resistance, and the more fat cells present, the higher likelihood that insulin resistance requiring treatment will occur. ·Regardless of the type and cause, in cats they are both treated the same way. For pe Continue reading >>
Handling A Diabetes Emergency
Emergencies can happen at any time, so it's best to be prepared and know what to do if an emergency occurs. Talking with your veterinarian is a crucial part of being informed and prepared to handle emergencies. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) The most common side effect experienced with insulin therapy is hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be caused by: Missing or delaying food. Change in food, diet, or amount fed. Infection or illness. Change in the body's need for insulin. Diseases of the adrenal, pituitary, or thyroid glands, or progression of liver or kidney disease. Interaction with other drugs (such as steroids). Change (increase) in exercise. Signs of hypoglycemia may occur suddenly and can include: Weakness Depression Behavioral changes Muscle twitching Anxiety Seizures Coma Death See below for a list of other side effects. What to do If your pet is conscious, rub a tablespoon of corn syrup on his or her gums. When your pet is able to swallow, feed him or her a usual meal and contact your veterinarian. If your pet is unconscious or having a seizure, this is a medical emergency. CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN. In the meantime, you should immediately treat your pet rather than delaying management. Pour a small amount of a sugar solution (eg, corn syrup) onto your finger and then rub the sugar solution onto your pet's gums. The sugar is absorbed very quickly and your pet should respond in 1 to 2 minutes. The sugar solution should never be poured directly into your pet's mouth since there is a risk that the solution will be inhaled into the lungs. Once your pet has responded to the sugar administration and is sitting up, it can be fed a small amount of its regular food. Once the pet has stabilized, it should be transported to your veterinarian for evaluation. Your pet's diet Continue reading >>
Missing A Dose - Type 2 Diabetes - Everydayhealth.com
Sign Up for Our Living with Diabetes Newsletter Thanks for signing up! You might also like these other newsletters: Sign up for more FREE Everyday Health newsletters . My dad has type 2 diabetes. He recently forgot to take his medication for one day, and later that night he felt sick, with vomiting and a slight fever. He was fine after a little rest, but could this have been a reaction to missing his medicine? If it happens again, what should he (we) do? I understand your concern, but this is a difficult question to answer without knowing details specific to your father's case, so I'll give you a general answer. The most likely immediate consequence of missing medicines for diabetes is a high glucose (sugar) level. If the level is very high, it causes frequent and copious urination, thirst, and hunger. Vomiting, dehydration, weakness, and confusion can also be caused by high glucose levels. If the glucose level has been high for a while, the individual might experience weight loss. It is possible that your father's glucose was on the high side for several days before he missed that one day's medicine. Therefore, it is important to make sure that his blood glucose is adequately controlled. When your father feels sick, check his blood glucose level . If it is high, make sure he remains well hydrated and seek the advice of his doctor for instructions on medicines. Continue reading >>
What Happens If You Forget To Take Insulin?
Why not ask your diabetes team for a customised set of instructions for what to do if you forget your insulin? Then if it occurs you will already have the information you need. Make sure you ask for information that includes the following: 1. The amount of time after a missed injection e.g. Give x units if <2 hours after; Give x units if > 4 hours etc. 2. What your blood glucose levels are like at the time e.g. if high you don't need to drop the dose as much as if your levels are low and giving the injection later 3. What activity levels you will be doing - if doing more activity in the afternoon and levels already low, then the insulin dose will be lower than usual when giving it later. 4. The action times of your insulin/s - you need to consider the length of time the insulin will be working fior These 4 issues all influence the amount of insulin you would need to give yourself when you have missed the usual injection time. Why not book a session with your diabetes educator to go through the various components to feel more able to manage this situation. Everyone forgets their insulin sometimes but knowing what to do can make you feel better when it happens - because it is very likely to happen! Continue reading >>
