Insulin Human
About Insulin Human
Insulin Human is used for the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. It maintains blood sugar levels in adults and children. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. In type 2 diabetes, either the body stops producing enough insulin (a hormone that helps lower blood sugar levels) or the body becomes resistant to insulin. As a result, insulin is produced in large quantities, but it is unable to function properly on the body's organs.
Insulin Human contains human insulin, a rapid-acting human insulin analogue. It works by ensuring rapid and consistent sugar control that helps lower blood sugar levels after food intake. It stimulates the recovery of sugar in muscle and fat cells and thus suppresses sugar production in the liver.
Not everyone who is receiving Insulin Human will get these side effects. You may experience rash, injection site allergic reaction, weight gain, edema (tissue swelling or fluid overload), skin thickening at the injection site, low blood glucose levels, and itching. Most of these side effects of Insulin Human do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Insulin Human should be administered as advised by your doctor. It should be administered subcutaneously (in the upper thigh, abdomen, upper arm, or buttocks) only. Your doctor will explain how to inject the medicine by yourself. However, if it is difficult to inject the medicine, ask a healthcare professional to administer it. Along with Insulin Human, you should take a healthy diet, do regular exercise, and maintain your weight as advised by your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Insulin Human. Do not take Insulin Human if you have any low blood glucose levels, kidney, liver, or heart problems, or problems with alcohol or other prescription or recreational drugs. Try not to stop receiving Insulin Human of your own. Let your doctor know about this, as it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Insulin Human is a cold chain medicine, and so it must be stored in the refrigerator between 2-8 degrees Celsius, or else its efficiency might get lost. Do not store in the freezer or the fridge.
Uses of Insulin Human
• Diabetes Management: Insulin Human is primarily used to regulate blood glucose levels in individuals with diabetes mellitus, helping to keep them within a healthy range.
• Postprandial Blood Sugar Control: Insulin Human effectively manages postprandial (after meal) blood sugar spikes through its combination of intermediate and short-acting insulin.
• Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Treatment: Insulin Human is prescribed for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who are unable to achieve adequate glycemic control with oral hypoglycemic agents alone.
Medicinal Benefits
- Insulin Human is a hormone known as 'insulin' made in your pancreas, which helps your body utilize glucose (sugar) for energy.
- Insulin human is the name which describes synthetic insulin, which is laboratory-grown to mimic the insulin in humans.
- Insulin Human works by ensuring rapid and consistent sugar control.
- Insulin Human is a fast-acting form of insulin that helps lower blood sugar levels after food intake.
- This medicine helps prevent the risk of having severe complications of diabetes.
- It stimulates the recovery of sugar in muscle and fat cells and thus suppresses sugar production in the liver.
- Insulin Human helps in improving glycaemic control, which in turn decreases the risk of progression of complications of diabetes like damage to the retina (retinopathy), damage to the kidney (nephropathy), damage to nerve cells (neuropathy), delayed wound healing, diabetic foot ulcer and others.
- Besides this, Insulin Human can be safely prescribed to the diabetic mother during the pregnancy and the lactation stage.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Check the label for directions and use it as advised by the doctor. Choose an injection site such as the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen, pinch the skin and inject the advised dose at a 45-degree angle slowly and steadily.
- Rotate the injection site every time. Do not inject into skin that is red, bruised, or hard. Do not reuse or share needles.
Storage
Side Effects of Insulin Human
- Hypokalaemia (low potassium)
- Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level)
- Local injection site reactions
- Fat deposition under the skin
- Rash
- Itchy skin
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Redness, swelling, and itching at the injection site
Drug Warnings
- Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Insulin Human.
- Do not take Insulin Human if you have any low blood glucose levels, kidney, liver, or heart problems, or problems with alcohol or other prescription or recreational drugs.
- Do not stop taking Insulin Human without consulting your doctor, as it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
- Insulin Human may decrease the level of potassium, leading to a state of hypokalemia that, if left untreated, may lead to respiratory paralysis, irregular heartbeat rhythm, coma, and even death.
- Insulin Human is for subcutaneous (under the skin) use only. If you are switching to a different insulin brand or using a different method of injection, it is recommended that you do so under strict medical supervision.
- Cases of heart failure have been reported when pioglitazone was used with insulin, especially in patients at high risk of cardiac heart failure.
- The first symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) may include excessive thirst, dry mouth, increased frequency of urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, flushed dry skin, loss of appetite, and an acetone odour in the breath. You should closely monitor these symptoms.
- It is advisable not to consume alcohol, as it may either increase or decrease your blood glucose level.
- Care should be taken while travelling across more than two time zones. Your doctor may adjust your insulin schedule.
- Insulin Human is a cold chain medicine, and therefore it must be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2 °C and 8 °C; otherwise, its efficiency may be compromised. Do not store in the freezer or the fridge.
- Insulin Human should not be administered intravenously (into the vein).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Insulin Human may have an interaction with drugs, including antidiabetic or blood sugar enhancing pills (glucagon, glipizide, metformin, sitagliptin, canagliflozin), blood pressure-lowering medicines (metoprolol, hydrochlorothiazide), bleeding disorder drugs (octreotide), antipsychotic (propoxyphene, phenothiazines), female sex hormones (progestogen, oestrogen), thyroid hormones (levothyroxine), anti-asthmatics (albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), an antidepressant (fluoxetine, lithium), lipid-lowering pills (reserpine, niacin, clonidine, fenofibrate, guanethidine), pain killers (aspirin). If you are taking any of the above, speak with your doctor.
Drug-Food Interactions: Insulin Human may interact with an ayurvedic, homoeopathy, Unani, herbal supplements or OTC items. Tell your doctor if you are using these products. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages with Insulin Human as it may increase or decrease your blood sugar level.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Insulin Human should not be given to patients with kidney disease, liver disease, low blood sugar/glucose level (hypoglycaemia), and low potassium level (hypokalaemia).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Insulin Human to avoid unpleasant side-effects. Alcohol may either decrease or increase the blood sugar level which can be fatal.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedInsulin Human can be used during pregnancy. Your insulin dose may need to be changed during pregnancy and after delivery.
Breast Feeding
safe if prescribedInsulin Human can be given safely to nursing mothers but only under the supervision of a physician.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, Insulin Human usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability. Your ability to concentrate and react may be reduced if you have hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
Liver
cautionInsulin Human to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionInsulin Human to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedInsulin Human can be given safely to children provided; dose has to be prescribed by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Exercise may lower your body’s need for insulin during and for some time after the physical activity.
- Exercise may also speed up the effect of an insulin dose, especially if the exercise involves the area of injection site (for example, the leg should not be used for injection just prior to running).
- Discuss with your doctor how you should adjust your insulin regimen to accommodate exercise.
- Avoid eating sugar food and prefer food cooked food low in calories.
- When travelling across more than 2 time zones, you should talk to your doctor concerning adjustments in your insulin schedule.
- Follow a healthy diet and walk for at least a few minutes to complement treatment with Insulin Human.
- Maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly.
- Rest properly, and avoid stress by doing meditation or yoga.
Special Advise
- If you feel any symptoms of hypoglycemia (fatigue, dizziness, confusion, heart palpitations, shakiness and anxiety), consult your doctor immediately.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic or lifelong disease that prevents the body from utilizing insulin properly. Insulin is the hormone that controls sugar levels in the blood. Diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are above normal. It is of two types, namely, type-1 and type-2 diabetes. Type-1 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Type-2 diabetes affects the way the body processes sugar. Symptoms of diabetes include lack of energy, tiredness, frequent urination, excess thirst, dry mouth, blurry vision, constant hunger, weight loss, and itchy skin.
FAQs
Insulin Human is used to treat Type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Insulin Human can be given to treat both the condition of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, your doctor will decide whether Insulin Human can be given to you or not, depending on your present condition. Insulin Human should be avoided in patients who are allergic to Insulin Human or other forms of insulin, patients with kidney disease, liver disease, low blood sugar/glucose level (hypoglycaemia), and low potassium level (hypokalaemia).
Cold sweat; cool pale skin; headache; rapid heartbeat; feeling sick; feeling very hungry; temporary vision changes; drowsiness; unusual tiredness and weakness; nervousness or tremor; feeling anxious; feeling confused; difficulty in concentrating are some of the common signs of the low blood sugar level in an individual.
If you experience low blood sugar, eat glucose tablets or another high sugar snack (e.g. sweets, biscuits, fruit juice). Measure your blood sugar if possible and rest. Always carry glucose tablets or high sugar snacks with you. You should give a call to any of your family members if you are feeling dizziness or drowsiness.
Local allergic reactions (pain, redness, hives, inflammation, bruising, swelling and itching) at the injection site may occur. These usually disappear after a few weeks of taking your insulin. If they do not disappear, or if they spread throughout your body, talk to your doctor immediately.
Human insulin is a laboratory created by growing insulin proteins within E-coli bacteria (Escherichia coli).
You are recommended to avoid white bread, maida, poori, naan, noodles, biryani, fried rice, corn flakes, cheese, ice creams, milkshakes, beef, pork, sugarcane juice, soft drinks, sweetened health drinks and beverages. Also, avoid mango, custard apple, jack fruit, fruit salads with ice cream, and fruit-based desserts.
No, do not stop taking Insulin Human without consulting your doctor as it may lead to high blood sugar levels and may worsen your condition resulting in complications. If you experience any side effects or discomfort, contact your doctor. You may need dose adjustment.
Taking Insulin Human at the same site may cause local irritation, itching and lump formation. Therefore, it is best to avoid taking injections at the same site or maintain a gap of at least one day.
Maintain a diet that includes chapatis, puffed rice with vegetables, multigrain bread, plain cooked dal, roasted grams soups, sprouts, cooked vegetables with less oil, steamed vegetables, orange, jamun, guava, watermelon, apple, papaya, curd, cow’s milk, thin buttermilk, fish (baked, grilled, or steamed), cashew nuts, peanuts, and walnuts (handful). Avoid alcohol consumption and quit smoking. Exercise regularly and brisk walk daily for 30 minutes. Also, limit intake of sugar.
The risk factors for developing low blood sugar levels include not taking adequate meals or skipping meals, excessive insulin use, too much alcohol intake, fever and too much exercise. Some medications, like other diabetes medicine glimepiride, medicines used for fever and pain (salicylates), ramipril, etc., can result in such episodes when used with insulin. Inform your doctor about these episodes as you may need dose adjustment.
The usual sites to inject Insulin Human are thighs, abdomen and arms as these areas have fewer nerve endings and more fat. As a result, you may feel less discomfort in these areas. However, it is recommended to rotate your injection sites with each dose to reduce the risk of developing pitted or thick skin and lumps at the injection site.
The side effects of Insulin Human include local injection site reactions, low blood sugar, low potassium, itchy skin, rash, weight gain, and swelling due to fluid retention. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
