What is insulin isophane?
Insulin isophane 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 isophane is a long-acting form of insulin that is
slightly different from other forms of insulin that are not man-made.
Insulin isophane is used to treat diabetes.
Insulin isophane may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking insulin isophane?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of
hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Before using insulin isophane, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including any oral (by mouth) diabetes
medications.
Insulin isophane is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet,
exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your
diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your
blood sugar levels.
Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn
baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether insulin isophane passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take insulin isophane?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or for
longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Insulin isophane is given as an injection (shot) under your skin. Your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist will give you specific instructions on how and where to inject this medicine. Do not
self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of
used needles and syringes.
Choose a different place in your injection skin area each time you use this medication. Do not
inject into the same place two times in a row.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof
container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container
out of the reach of children and pets.
Some insulin needles can be used more than once, depending on needle brand and type. But a
reused needle must be properly cleaned, recapped, and inspected for bending or breakage. Reusing
needles also increases your risk of infection. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you are able to
reuse your insulin needles.
Never share an injection pen or cartridge with another person. Sharing injection pens or
cartridges can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.
Check your blood sugar carefully during a time of stress or illness, if you travel, exercise more
than usual, or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your insulin dose needs may
also change.
Watch for signs of blood sugar that is too high (
hyperglycemia
). These
symptoms include increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness,
dry skin, and dry mouth. Check your blood sugar levels and ask your doctor how to adjust your insulin
doses if needed.
Ask your doctor how to adjust your insulin isophane dose if needed.
Do not
change your dose without first talking to your doctor.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you have diabetes, in case of
emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that
you are diabetic.
Storing unopened vials, cartridges, injection pens:
Keep in the
carton and store in a refrigerator, protected from light. Throw away any insulin not used before the
expiration date on the medicine label.
Unopened vials
may also be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days,
away from heat and bright light. Throw away any insulin not used within 28 days.
Storing after your first use:
Keep the "in-use" vials, cartridges, or
prefilled syringes at room temperature and use prior to the expiration date. Keep the in-use injection
pen at room temperature and use it within 14 days.
Do not refrigerate.
Do not freeze insulin isophane
, and throw away the medication if it has
become frozen.
What happens if I miss a dose of insulin isophane?
Since insulin isophane is used before meals or snacks, you may not be on a timed dosing
schedule. Whenever you use insulin isophane, be sure to eat a meal or snack within 30 to 60 minutes.
Do not
use extra insulin isophane to make up a missed dose.
It is important to keep insulin isophane on hand at all times. Get your prescription refilled
before you run out of medicine completely.
Where can I get more information about insulin isophane?
Your pharmacist has information about insulin isophane written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of insulin isophane?
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 isophane. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, nausea, hunger, confusion,
drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, trouble concentrating,
confusion, or seizure (convulsions). Watch for signs of low blood sugar. Carry a piece of non-dietetic
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 isophane.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any
unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about insulin isophane?
Take care to keep your blood sugar from getting too low, causing
hypoglycemia
. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, nausea, hunger, confusion,
drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, or trouble
concentrating. Carry a piece of non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have
low blood sugar. Also be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.
Also watch for signs of blood sugar that is too high (
hyperglycemia
). These
symptoms include increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness,
dry skin, and dry mouth. Check your blood sugar levels and ask your doctor how to adjust your insulin
doses if needed.
Never share an injection pen or cartridge with another person. Sharing injection pens or
cartridges can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.
Insulin isophane is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet,
exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your
diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your
blood sugar levels.
What should I avoid while taking insulin isophane?
Do not change the brand of insulin isophane or syringe you are using
without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Your blood sugar may become dangerously low if you drink
alcohol while using insulin isophane.
What other drugs will affect insulin isophane?
Using certain medicines can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Tell
your doctor if you use any of the following:
-
albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin);
-
clonidine (Catapres);
-
reserpine;
-
guanethidine (Ismelin); or
-
beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol
(Zebeta), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard),
propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), timolol (Blocadren), and others.
There are many other medicines that can increase or
decrease the effects of insulin isophane on lowering your blood sugar.
Tell your doctor
about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without
telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or
other healthcare provider who treats you.
What happens if I have an overdose of insulin isophane?
