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What is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the body. It works by helping your body to use sugar properly. This lowers the amount of glucose in the blood, which helps to treat diabetes. Insulin aspart is a fast-acting form of insulin.
Insulin is used to treat type 1 diabetes in adults and children who are at least 2 years old. Insulin aspart is usually given together with another long-acting form. Type 2 diabetes (non insulin dependent) is normally treated with other medications such as Januvia, Byetta, glyburide or metformin.
This medication may also be used for other purposes not listed in this leaflet.
Important information about insulin
Insulin aspart is a fast-acting insulin that begins to work very quickly. After using it, you should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes.
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, fruity breath odor, 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.
How should I use insulin?
Use insulin 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 is given as an injection (shot) under your skin, using a needle and syringe or an insulin pump. 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.
Insulin aspart is a fast-acting medication that begins to work very quickly. After it, you should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes.
Insulin aspart should be thin, clear, and colorless. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
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.
If you use this medication with an insulin pump, do not mix or dilute insulin aspart with any other insulin. Call your doctor at once if you think your infusion pump is not working properly.
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 needles.
Infusion pump tubing, catheters, and the needle location on your skin should be changed every 48 hours. Throw away any medication leftover in the reservoir.
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, fruity breath odor, 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 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, or 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, cartridges, or injection pens 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 injection pens at room temperature and use within 28 days. Do not refrigerate.
Do not freeze this medicine, and throw away the medication if it has become frozen.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since insulin is used before meals, you may not be on a timed dosing schedule. Whenever you use this medication, be sure to eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes. Do not use extra insulin to make up a missed dose.
It is important to keep insulin aspart on hand at all times. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Insulin side effects
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.
Call your doctor if you have a serious side effect such as:
* swelling in your hands or feet; or
* low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling).
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect of insulin. 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.
Insulin aspart can also cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood). Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms such as dry mouth, increased thirst, increased urination, uneven heartbeats, muscle pain or weakness, leg pain or discomfort, or confusion.
Tell your doctor if you have itching, swelling, redness, or thickening of the skin where you inject insulin.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect insulin?
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
* a beta-blocker 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 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.
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