Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows cells to use glucose. If the body cannot make or use insulin correctly, artificial insulin can be applied to help control blood sugar.
Many different types of insulin can be used to treat diabetes, and are often classified according to the way insulin affects the body.
The doctor may prescribe more than one type of insulin and may need to apply insulin several times a day to dispense different doses of insulin throughout the day, and may also need to take other medications.
How is insulin applied?
Many patients use needles, syringes, refills, or prefilled insulin pens to inject insulin into the body.
It may be important to choose which part of the body to inject insulin. Insulin is most consistently absorbed via the abdomen, followed by the arms, thighs, and buttocks. The habit of injecting insulin in the same area of the body needs to be developed, but changing the precise injection site helps to reduce the formation of subcutaneous scar tissue.
In addition, there are inhaled insulin, insulin pumps, and rapid-acting insulin devices.
When should insulin be applied?
The way insulin is applied depends on its type. Time is needed after injection to ensure that insulin starts to work at the same time that glucose from food enters the body. This helps the body use the glucose and avoid hypoglycemic reactions.
For example, for those on rapid-acting insulin, insulin may need to be administered 10 minutes before or even during a meal. If you choose regular or intermediate-acting insulin, you usually need to apply it half an hour before a meal or at bedtime. Please take your medication as prescribed by your doctor.
What are the side effects of insulin?
The main side effects of insulin include the following.
- Low blood sugar.
- Weight gain on first application.
- Multiple injections of insulin resulting in mass or scar formation.
- Injection site rash and in rare cases a generalized rash may occur.
Inhaled insulin may cause sudden tightness in the lungs in people with asthma or lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
How are insulin injections stored?
Patients should have two vials of each type of insulin they are using. The vials of insulin being used do not need to be refrigerated. A good rule of thumb is that insulin is safe when the body feels it is the right temperature. Bottles of insulin in use can be stored at room temperature (no higher than 26.7°C) for 30 days. Do not store at too high or too low a temperature and avoid direct sunlight.
Spare insulin vials should be kept in the refrigerator. The night before starting new insulin, take the insulin out of the refrigerator and leave it at room temperature. Do not keep insulin frozen.
Be sure to observe the insulin in the bottle before drawing it into the syringe. Fast-acting insulins, short-acting insulins, and some long-acting insulins should be clear. Other insulins may look cloudy, but should not appear clumpy.
If you carry your insulin vial with you, be careful not to shake it. Shaking can create air bubbles that may change the amount of insulin that is pumped out during injection.
When using an insulin pen, check the package insert for storage instructions.
How is inhaled insulin stored?
Check the instructions on the inhalation insulin package. You should store your inhaled insulin in a sealed packet in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. If it is not refrigerated, it must be used within 10 days.
Incorporated insulin can be kept refrigerated after opening the package, but it needs to be at room temperature for 10 minutes before use.