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          InsulinFree Publications For Women Insulin
  
  	
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Insulin Safety Tips
	My Insulin Guide
	Types of Insulin
	Insulin DevicesInsulin helps to take the sugar in your blood to other parts of your body. Diabetes affects how your body makes or uses insulin. Diabetes can make it hard to control how much sugar is in your blood.

**There is hope!**

There are different kinds of insulin that people with diabetes can use every day to help them stay healthy.

This booklet gives some basic facts about insulin. Use this booklet to help you talk to your doctor about the kind of insulin that you are taking.

**Do not wait. Diabetes is a serious illness.**

Diabetes can cause a heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage and other serious health problems. This is why it is so important for you to get treatment for your diabetes. Treatment can help prevent or slow some of these serious health problems. Exercise, eat a balanced diet, and take your diabetes medicines. You can do it.

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**Insulin Safety Tips**

Never drink insulin.
	Do not share insulin needles, pens, or cartridges with anyone else.
	Talk to your doctor before you change or stop using your insulin.
	Do not inject your insulin in the exact same spot each time.
	Throw away needles in a hard container that can be closed like a laundry detergent bottle.
	Check the expiration date on the insulin before you use it.
	Plan how to take care of your insulin when you travel and during an emergency.**Check the FDA website to learn more about Women and Diabetes: www.fda.gov/womens**

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**My Insulin**

**Ask your healthcare provider these questions before you start using your insulin.**

How will my insulin affect my blood sugar?
	Will it affect my other medicines?
	What are the side effects?
	What do I do if I start having side effects?
	When should I check my blood sugar?
	What are the signs that my blood sugar might be too low or too high?
	Should I carry glucose tabs with me and how should I use them?
	What should I do if I am pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding?
	What else should I know about my diabetes medicines?**Write down the facts about your insulin the next time you talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.**

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Doctor: ___________________________________________________________

Pharmacy: ________________________________________________________

My Glucose Meter:__________________________________________________

My Insulin Device:__________________________________________________

Name of Insulin
			How Much Do I Take
			When Do I Take It
			What I Should Know

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**Type 1 Diabetes**

People with type 1 diabetes make very little or no insulin in their bodies. They must take insulin every day to stay alive.

**Type 2 Diabetes**

People with type 2 diabetes do not make enough insulin or do not use it well enough. Some people with type 2 diabetes can use pills or other medicines that are injected into the body. Other people with type 2 also need insulin to help control their diabetes.

**Gestational Diabetes**

Some women develop diabetes for the first time when they become pregnant. This is called gestational (jes-Tay-shun-ul) diabetes. Some women with gestational diabetes need to use insulin to control their blood sugar.

**How often should I inject my insulin?**

Each person is different. Some people need to inject insulin one time each day. Others need to inject insulin more often. Many things affect how much insulin you need each day:

Type of Insulin You Use
	What You Eat
	Your Activity Level
	Your Other Health Conditions**Your doctor will tell you how often you should inject your insulin.**

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**Types of Insulin**

There are many different types of insulin. The type lets you know how fast the insulin starts working or how long it lasts in your body. Your health care provider will help you find the insulin that is best for you.

**Rapid-Acting -**This insulin starts working within 15 minutes after you use it. It is mostly gone out of your body after a few hours. It should be taken just before or just after you eat.
	**Short-Acting** - This insulin starts working within 30 minutes to 1 hour after you use it. It is mostly gone out of your body after a few hours. It should be taken 30-45 minutes before you eat.
	**Intermediate-Acting** - This insulin starts working within 2-4 hours after you use it. It reaches its highest level in your blood around 6-8 hours after you use it. It is often used to help control your blood sugar between meals. Some people use this type of insulin in the morning, at bedtime, or both.
	**Long-Acting** - This insulin starts working within 2 to 4 hours after you use it. It can last in the body for up to 24 hours. It is often used in the morning or at bedtime to help control your blood sugar throughout the day.
	**Pre-Mixed** - This is a mix of two different types of insulin. It includes one type that helps to control your blood sugar at meals and another type that helps between meals.

Brand Name
			Other Names
			Type of Insulin
			(How Fast Insulin Works)Admelog
			insulin lispro injection
			Rapid-ActingAfrezza (inhalation powder)
			regular human insulin
			Rapid-ActingApidra
			Apidra Solostar
			insulin glulisine
			Rapid-ActingFiasp
			Fiasp Flextouch
			insulin aspart
			Rapid-ActingHumalog
			Humalog Pen
			Humalog Kwikpen
			insulin lispro
			Rapid-ActingNovolog
			insulin aspart
			Rapid-ActingHumulin R
			Humulin R Pen
			regular human insulin
			Short-ActingNovolin R
			regular human insulin
			Short-ActingHumulin N
			NPH human insulin
			(human insulin isophane suspension)
			Intermediate-ActingNovolin N
			NPH human insulin
			(human insulin isophane suspension)
			Intermediate-ActingBasaglar KwikPen
			insulin glargine
			Long-ActingLantus
			Lantus Solostar
			insulin glargine
			Long-ActingLevemir
			insulin detemir
			Long-ActingToujeo
			Toujeo Max
			insulin glargine
			Long-ActingTresiba FlexTouch
			insulin degludec
			Long-ActingHumalog Mix 75/25
			Humalog Mix 75/25 KwikPen
			75% insulin lispro protamine suspension
			25% insulin lispro injection
			Intermediate- and Rapid-ActingHumalog 70/30
			70% human insulin isophane suspension
			30% human insulin injection
			Intermediate- and Rapid-ActingHumalog Mix 50/50
			Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen
			50% insulin lispro protamine suspension
			50% insulin lispro injection
			Intermediate- and Rapid-ActingNovoLog Mix 70/30
			NovoLog Mix 70/30 FlexPen
			70% insulin aspart protamine suspension
			30% insulin aspart injection
			Intermediate- and Rapid-ActingRyzodeg 70/30 FlexTouch
			70% insulin degludec

			30% insulin aspart
			Long- and Rapid-ActingHumulin 70/30
			Humulin 70/30 KwikPen
			70% NPH human insulin
			30% regular human insulin injection
			Intermediate- and Short-ActingNovolin 70/30
			70% NPH Human Insulin
			30% Regular Human Insulin Injection
			Intermediate- and Short-Acting

**Insulin Tip**: Do not store your insulin in a place that is very hot or very cold.

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**Insulin Side Effects**

Insulin affects each person differently. Insulin can sometimes cause side effects. The side effects will depend on your body and the type of insulin you are taking. Follow these tips to help you learn how to handle side effects.

**Get the facts.** Ask your health care provider for the side effects, warnings, and other facts for your insulin. This booklet does not give all facts for each kind of insulin.
	**Speak up.** Tell someone about any problems you may be having with your insulin. Your doctor may change your prescription or give you tips to help you deal with the side effects.
	**Check the FDA website.** You can find up-to-date safety information about your insulin at: www.fda.gov
	**Report serious problems with your insulin or device.**You or your doctor can tell the FDA about serious problems with your medicines.
	Call FDA at 1-800-332-1088 to report serious side effects.Learn how to report an Adverse Event or serious problem to FDA**Insulin Tip:** Talk to your doctor before you change or stop taking your insulin.

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**Insulin Devices**

There are many different ways to inject your insulin. Some people use a needle and syringe to inject their insulin. Others use an insulin pen, jet injectors, inhaler, or pump. Read the information in this section about the different kinds of insulin devices. Then, talk to healthcare provider about the kind that is best for you.

**Insulin Needles and Syringes**

Needles and syringes are used to inject insulin under the skin. Insulin needles come in different sizes. Most needles have a special coating to help them go through the skin with as little pain as possible.

Do not share your needles or syringes with others.
	Ask your healthcare provider which kind of needle is right for you.**Insulin Pens**

Insulin pens are devices that look like regular pens with a fine short needle on the tip. The pens have enough insulin in them for a few injections. Some pens have a case filled with insulin that you change when it is empty. Other pens are thrown away when the case is empty.

Put a new needle on the tip of the pen each time you give yourself an injection (shot).
	Make sure that you use the type of insulin and needle for your kind of pen.
	Do not share your insulin pen or cartridge with others.**Insulin Jet Injectors**

Insulin jet injectors use strong air pressure to spray insulin through the skin.

Insulin jet injectors do not use needles.
	Ask your health care provider to show you how to safely use your jet injector.**Insulin Pumps**

Insulin pumps are worn on the outside of your body. The pump is connected to your body by a flexible tube that has a tip that sticks under your skin. A cartridge of insulin is put in the pump. The insulin flows through the tube into your body.

The pump controls how much insulin goes into your body.
	The pump can give you insulin 24 hours a day.**Insulin Inhalers**

Insulin inhalers are used to take a form of insulin that is breathed-in through your lungs (inhaled). A cartridge of insulin is put in the inhaler. After you put in the cartridge, keep the inhaler level so the drug powder does not come out.

Do not turn the inhaler upside down.
	Do not point the mouthpiece down.
	Do not shake or drop the inhaler.**Insulin Tip**: There are tools called injection aids that can make it easier for you to inject your insulin. There are tools to help people that have problems seeing and people with physical disabilities. Ask your healthcare provider about tools to help you inject your insulin.

**Tips for Insulin Devices**

Each insulin device is different. This page lists some basic tips about insulin devices. Talk to your health care provider to learn everything you should know about your insulin device.

**General Tips**

Never share insulin needles (syringes) or devices.
	Ask your doctor or nurse to show you how to inject your insulin.
	Always wash your hands before you inject your insulin.
	Do not inject your insulin in the exact same spot on your body each time.
	The skin may get thick or thin if you use the same spot.
		Inject in the same general area of your body.
	Do not use your insulin if it looks cloudy or looks like something is floating in it. Take it back to the drug store for a new one.
	Do not use insulin needles (syringes), pens, and injectors after the expiration date printed on the label or on the box.**How to Throw Away Used Devices**

Follow the directions on when to throw away the needles, pens or injectors.
	You should throw away your used needles in a hard container like an empty laundry detergent bottle or a metal coffee can.
	Make sure the needles cannot poke through the container.
		Put a label on the container to warn people that it is dangerous.
		Keep the container where children cannot get to it.
		Always put a lid or top on the container.Back to Top

**You Can Control Your Diabetes**

**Make a plan**. Work with your healthcare team to plan how you will manage your diabetes.
	**Check your blood sugar**. Use your glucose meter to test your blood glucose (sugar) level.
	**Watch what you eat**. Work with your healthcare team to make a meal plan just for you.
	**Use medicines wisely**. Ask your health care provider when and how to safely use your diabetes medicines or insulin.
	**Be active and get exercise**. Dance, take a walk, or join an exercise class. Check with your doctor about safe ways to be more active.
	**Watch your overall mental and physical health**. Work with your healthcare team to keep your feet, eyes, heart, and teeth healthy.This page should not be used in place of talking to your doctor or reading the label on your medicine. The drug and risk information on this page may change. Check the FDA website for the latest facts on each product. www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/

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Other Diabetes Resources

Tips on Storing Insulin and Switching Between Products in an Emergency
	Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices
	FDA Diabetes Information for Patients
	National Diabetes Education Program
	American Diabetes AssociationResources For You

Women and Diabetes
	Your Glucose Meter
	Get Other FDA Publications for Women
	For Women Homepage

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      05/22/2019
              
              
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			  DiabetesFree publications for women

          
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