Do not use insulin glulisine if you are allergic to insulin or if you have intolerance to a certain insulin product.
Before using insulin glulisine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
Before using insulin glulisine, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions or if you take other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements.
Insulin glulisine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether insulin glulisine 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 glulisine passes into breast milk. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Use insulin glulisine 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 glulisine differs from regular human insulin by how quickly it begins to work and the amount of time it continues to be effective. Because insulin glulisine begins to work soon after it is injected, the injection of insulin glulisine should be given within 15 minutes before a meal or 20 minutes after starting a meal. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may occur if eating is delayed.
If the insulin has been stored in the refrigerator, it can be warmed to room temperature before use.
Do not use any insulin that is discolored, looks thick, has particles in it, or looks different from previous bottles of insulin glulisine.
If you are mixing insulin glulisine with NPH human insulin, draw insulin glulisine into the syringe first. Inject the mixture right away. Do no mix insulin glulisine with any other type of insulin.
Change injection sites exactly 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. Dispose of all needles and syringes in an appropriate, puncture-resistant disposal container.
Do not change the insulin or syringe that you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Any change in insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or species (animal, human) may require a change in dose.
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 your 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.
Your healthcare provider may recommend regular monitoring of blood sugar levels with blood or urine tests.
Proper foot care, eye care, dental care, and overall proper health care are important for people with diabetes. Visit your doctor, dentist, eye doctor, and other heath care practitioners as recommended by your doctor.
Store
Vials of insulin glulisine can be kept unrefrigerated for up to 28 days, but should not be exposed to excessive heat or sunlight
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.
Rarely, people have allergic reactions to insulin. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the 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.
Keep hard, sugary candy; chocolate; 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.
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.
Insulin glulisine differs from regular human insulin by how quickly it begins to work and the amount of time it continues to be effective. Because insulin glulisine begins to work soon after it is injected, the injection of insulin glulisine should be given within 15 minutes before a meal or 20 minutes after starting a meal. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may occur if eating is delayed.
Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which include shaking; nausea; headache; drowsiness; weakness; dizziness; fast heartbeat; sweating; pale, cool skin; anxiety; and difficulty concentrating. 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 your 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.
Do not change the insulin or syringe that you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Any change in insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or species (animal, human) may require a change in dose.
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 you need to control your blood sugar levels.
Many drugs can interact with insulin or affect your blood sugar levels. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist during treatment with insulin.
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
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.