General medical information about
Insulin aspart Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
which include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness,
fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece
of candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of
low blood sugar.
Follow any diet and exercise plan
that you have developed with your doctor or nurse. Changes
in what
you eat or how much you exercise can change the
amount of Insulin that you need to control blood sugar levels.
Ask your doctor or nurse what to do if you are sick
with a cold, flu, or fever. These illnesses may change your
Insulin requirements.
Insulin aspart differs from
regular human Insulin by how quickly it begins to work and
the amount of time it continues to be effective. Because
Insulin aspart begins to work soon after it is injected,
the injection of Insulin aspart should immediately be followed
by a meal. Because of the short amount of time that Insulin
aspart continues to be effective, a longer-acting Insulin
may also be required.
Do not change the brand of
Insulin aspart or syringe that you are using without first
talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Some brands of Insulin
aspart and syringes are interchangeable, while others are
not. Your doctor and/or pharmacist know which brands can
be substituted for one another.
What is Insulin aspart Insulin is a hormone naturally produced by the pancreas.
Insulin enables the body to use the sugar in food as a source
of energy. When the body does not produce enough Insulin,
or when the Insulin produced by the body is not effective
enough, the condition is called diabetes mellitus. This
condition allows sugar levels in the blood to become very
high. Diabetics must use man-made Insulin or Insulin that
comes from pigs (which is very similar to human Insulin)
to lower these high blood sugar levels.
There are
three types of Insulin, which differ in how soon they begin
to work and how long their effects last. Insulin aspart
is one type of Insulin that begins to work very quickly
and its effects that last for approximately 3 to 5 hours.
Insulin aspart is usually used in combination with another
longer-acting Insulin.
Insulin aspart may also be
used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What you should discuss with your doctor before
using Insulin aspart Do not use Insulin aspart if you are allergic to
Insulin or if you have an intolerance of a certain Insulin
aspart product.
Before using Insulin aspart, tell
your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may
require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
treatment.
Insulin aspart is in the FDA pregnancy
category C. This means that it is not known whether it will
be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is
not known whether Insulin aspart passes into breast milk.
Do not use this medication without first talking to your
doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should you use Insulin aspart Use Insulin aspart exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.
Insulin
aspart differs from regular human Insulin by how quickly
it begins to work and the amount of time it continues to
be effective. Because Insulin aspart begins to work soon
after it is injected, the injection of Insulin aspart should
immediately be followed by a meal. Because of the short
amount of time that Insulin aspart continues to be effective,
a longer-acting Insulin may also be required.
Insulin
aspart is usually used immediately before a meal (a meal
should be started within 5 to 10 minutes after injecting
the medication). Follow your doctor's instructions.
Rotate injection sites as directed by your doctor. Usually,
you should not inject within 1 inch of the same site within
1 month.
Never reuse a needle or syringe. The syringes
used must not contain any other medicinal product or residue.
Dispose of all needles and syringes in an appropriate, puncture-resistant
disposal container.
Do not change the Insulin strength
(e.g., U-100) or Insulin type (e.g., aspart) unless your
doctor recommends a change for you.
Do not change
the brand of Insulin aspart or syringe that you are using
without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Some
brands of Insulin and syringes are interchangeable, while
others are not. Your doctor and/or pharmacist know which
brands can be substituted for one another.
Follow
any diet and exercise plan that you have developed with
your doctor or nurse. Changes in what
you eat or how much
you exercise can change the amount of Insulin that you need
to control blood sugar levels.
Ask your doctor or
nurse what to do if you are sick with a cold, flu, or fever.
These illnesses may change your Insulin requirements.
Wear some type of medical identification bracelet, necklace,
or other alert tag to inform others that you have diabetes
and that you require Insulin in the case of an emergency.
To adequately control diabetes, proper foot care,
eye care, dental care, and overall proper health care are
necessary. Visit your doctor, dentist, eye doctor, and other
heath care practitioners as recommended by your doctor.
Do not use any Insulin that is discolored, looks
thick, has particles in it, or looks different from your
previous bottles or cartridges of Insulin aspart.
Store unopened bottles and cartridges of Insulin aspart
in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit
(2 and 8 degrees Celsius). Do not store Insulin aspart in
the freezer and do not allow it to freeze. Do not use Insulin
aspart if it has been frozen. Throw away any expired Insulin
aspart.
Vials or cartridges of Insulin aspart in
use can be kept unrefrigerated at room temperature, below
86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), for up to 28
days but should not be exposed to excessive heat or sunlight.
If you miss a dose: Follow your doctor's directions if you miss a dose
of Insulin. To prevent missed doses, be sure to always have
enough Insulin on hand, especially if you are going on vacation.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of an Insulin overdose reflect very low blood sugar levels
and include headache, irregular heartbeat, increased heart
rate or pulse, sweating, tremor, nausea, increased hunger,
and anxiety.
What should you avoid while using Insulin aspart Do not use alcohol without first talking to your
doctor. It lowers blood sugar, and you may experience dangerously
low blood sugar levels.
Follow any diet and exercise
plan that you have developed with your doctor or nurse.
Changes in what
you eat or how much you exercise can change
the amount of Insulin that you need to control blood sugar
levels.
Possible side effects of Insulin aspart Rarely, people have allergic reactions to Insulin.
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
The side effects of Insulin therapy result mostly from blood
sugar levels that are either too high or too low. You should
be familiar with the symptoms of both high and low blood
sugar levels and know how to treat both conditions. Also,
be sure your family and close friends know how to help you
in an emergency.
Low blood sugar may occur when too
much Insulin is used; when meals are missed or delayed;
if you exercise more than usual; during illness, especially
with vomiting or diarrhea; if you take other medications;
after drinking alcohol; and in other situations.
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, has the following symptoms:
shaking, headache, cold sweats, pale, cool skin, anxiety,
and difficulty concentrating.
Keep sugary candy;
fruit juice; or glucose tablets on hand to treat episodes
of low blood sugar.
Increased blood sugar may occur
if not enough Insulin is used, if you eat significantly
more food then usual, if you exercise less than usual, if
you take other medications, if you have a fever or other
illness, and in other situations.
Hyperglycemia,
or high blood sugar, has the following symptoms: increased
thirst, increased hunger, and increased urination.
Monitor your blood sugar levels and ask your doctor how
to adjust your Insulin doses if your blood sugar levels
are too high.
Side effects may also occur at the
site of injection. If the area becomes thickened, hard,
or pitted, talk to your doctor before injecting at that
site again.
Side effects other than those listed
here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side
effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Insulin aspart
Many
drugs can interact with Insulin or affect blood sugar levels.
Do not take any other medicines, including prescription products
or over-the-counter medicines or supplements, without first
talking to your doctor or pharmacist during treatment with
Insulin. |
