What Is Insulin Detemir?
Insulin is a hormonal substance that is responsible for reducing the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin detemir is a manufactured long-acting insulin that begins to function after several hours following the injection and continues to work continuously for 24 hours.
Insulin detemir can be used to control blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes mellitus.Insulin detemir is a medication that can be used in children and adults aged 2 or more years.Insulin detemir cannot be used to treat diabetes ketoacidosis.
Warnings
Do not share an injection pen needle with anyone else, even in the event that the needle has changed.
Before you Take this Drug
You shouldn't make use of insulin detemir in the event that you suffer from an allergic reaction to it. Don't use it in cases that are characterized by hyperglycemia (low blood sugar) or ketoacidosis due to diabetes (call your physician to seek advice).
To ensure that you are safe from insulin detemir, you should inform your doctor that you've had:
- Low levels of potassium present in the blood (hypokalemia)
- Kidney or liver disease.
Inform your physician if you are also taking pioglitazone or the drug rosiglitazone (sometimes included in combination with glimepiride as well as metformin). Certain oral diabetes medications when you are taking insulin detemir could increase the risk of having serious heart issues.Inform your doctor if you are nursing or pregnant.
Follow your doctor's advice on the use of insulin detemir if you are expecting or get pregnant. Controlling diabetes is crucial during pregnancy, and having a high blood sugar level could cause complications both for the mother and the infant.
How to take Insulin detemir?
Follow the exact instructions for insulin detemir as recommended by your physician. Follow the directions on your prescription label, and review all medication guides and instructions on the label.
Insulin detemir is injected beneath the skin. Healthcare professionals can teach you the proper use of the drug on your own.Be sure to read and adhere to any instructions that are included with your medication. Consult your physician or pharmacist to clarify any instructions.Prepare an insulin detemir injector only when you are ready to administer it. Avoid using the medication when it appears unclear, has changed color, or contains articles. Consult your pharmacist about new medications.Your doctor will inform you of the best place on your body to inject the insulin. You should use a different spot every time you administer an injection. Don't inject the same spot twice in one row.
Avoid injecting insulin detemir into skin that is injured, tender, bruised, or pitted. It should not be injected into skin that is thickened, pitted, scaly, or has a hard or abrasive lump.If you take insulin detemir daily, you should take the injection prior to dinnertime or before going to bed. If you take the medication twice a day, take your dose in the evening, within 12 hours of the dose you took in the morning.Your doctor might advise you to use short-acting insulin. Always inject your insulin separately. Insulin detemir is not to be administered using an insulin pump or combined with any other insulin. Don't inject into a vein or muscle.
If you are using injectors, you should only use the one that comes with insulin detemir. Use a fresh needle prior to every use. Don't transfer the insulin pen to the needle.Do not use the syringe or injection pen with someone else, even after the needle has been replaced. Sharing these instruments can lead to the spread of disease or infection from one person to the next.Make use of the needle and the syringe once only and place them into a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Make sure you follow local or state laws regarding how to dispose of the container. Be sure to keep it safe from your reach for children and pets.
It is possible that you have lower glucose levels (hypoglycemia) and experience extreme hunger, dizziness, or irritability. It can also make you feel confused or anxious. You may also feel shaky, nervous, or anxious. To treat hypoglycemia quickly, consume or drink a rapid-acting sugar source (fruit juice crackers, hard candy, raisins, or any sugar-free soda).
The doctor might prescribe the use of a glucagon injection kit if you suffer from severe hypoglycemia. It is important that your family or your closest friends know how to administer this injection in the event of an emergency.Be aware of symptoms of the presence of high glucose levels (hyperglycemia), like an increase in thirst or increased urination.The levels of blood sugar can change due to stress or illness, surgical procedures, exercise, drinking, or not eating meals. Consult your physician prior to making changes to your medication or dosage schedule.
Insulin detemir is a small part of a total treatment plan that can include exercise, diet, and weight management, as well as regular blood sugar testing and specialized medical treatment. Follow the instructions of your doctor carefully.Store insulin detemir inside the original container, protected from light and heat. Do not inject insulin from the vial into a syringe when you're ready for an injection. Don't freeze insulin or keep it in the vicinity of the cooling element of the refrigerator. Discard any insulin that is stored in the freezer.Storing the unopened (not used) insulin detemir
- Use and store in the refrigerator until time of expiration
- Keep it at room temperature and use it within 42 calendar days.
Storing opened (in use) insulin detemir:
- Keep the vial in the fridge or in a room at room temperature. make use of it within 42 days.
- The injection pen should be stored at ambient temperature (do not freeze) and used within 42 days. Don't keep the injection pen with the needle attached.
In the event of an emergency, you should wear or carry a medical ID to inform others that you suffer from diabetes.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Consult your physician for guidance if you missed the dose. Always have a supply of insulin throughout the day. Make sure you refill your prescription before you run out of medication completely.
What Happens If I Overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek immediate attention. Additionally, you can contact an emergency medical service or call toll-free the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.A high dose of insulin can lead to dangerous hypoglycemia. Symptoms include drowsiness and blurred vision and tingling or numbness in your mouth, difficulty speaking muscles, muscle weakening, jerky or clumsy motions, seizures (convulsions) or loss of consciousness.
What Should be Avoided?
Insulin can lead to low blood sugar levels. Do not drive or operate machines until you are aware of the effects of insulin detemir on your blood sugar levels.Make sure you read the label on your medicine prior to injecting insulin.Beware of drinking alcohol.
Side effects Of Insulin detemir
Seek medical attention immediately. If you exhibit indications of an allergic reaction to insulin detemir, swelling or redness in the area at the site of an injection, itchy skin all over the body, difficulty breathing or heart beats that are fast, and the feeling that you may be passing out or experience swelling of your throat or tongue.
Contact your doctor immediately if you are suffering from:
- Liquid retention: weight gain, swelling of your feet or hands, feeling short of breath,
- Low potassium causes leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering around your chest, thirst, or urination. You may also experience numbness, the sensation of tingling, muscle weakness, or a feeling of limpness.
Common side effects of insulin detemir include:
- Blood sugar levels are low;
- Weight gain
- Swelling of your feet and hands
- Itching, or rash;
- The hollowing or thickening of the skin area where you injected the medication
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
A variety of other medications can alter the blood sugar levels in your body, and certain medications can enhance or reduce your insulin's effects. Certain medications can result in fewer symptoms of hypoglycemia. This makes it difficult to know when your blood sugar levels are low. Inform all of your healthcare providers about the medicines you take currently and all medicines that you decide to stop or change the dosage of. This includes prescription and non-prescription medicine, vitamins, and herbal remedies.
