Insulin is a hormone that can help control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This eMedTV page offers an overview of this hormone and medication, including a description of various types, information on how it works, and possible side effects.
Skin reactions at the injection site and low blood sugar levels are potential insulin side effects. This eMedTV Web resource describes other possible side effects, including a list of warning signs for potentially serious problems.
Weight gain is a possible side effect that may occur with the use of insulin. This page from the eMedTV Web library provides more detailed information on insulin and weight gain, and explains what your doctor may recommend if weight gain occurs.
Insulin is used for controlling blood sugar levels in adults and children who have diabetes. This eMedTV Web segment further describes the uses of this medication, including how this hormone works and possible off-label uses.
To help determine your insulin dosage, your doctor may recommend carbohydrate counting. This eMedTV page covers dosing guidelines in more detail, including information on how to determine an appropriate dosage and tips on taking this medicine.
Beta blockers, MAOIs, and sulfa drugs can cause insulin drug interactions. As this eMedTV article explains, drug interactions with this medication may lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels, which could cause life-threatening problems very quickly.
You may not be able to use insulin if you have manual dexterity problems, or liver or kidney disease. This eMedTV page discusses other important insulin warnings and precautions, including what to tell your healthcare provider before starting the drug.
There are four types of insulin (rapid-acting, short-acting, long-acting, and intermediate-acting). This eMedTV page explains why many people may need to take more than one kind of insulin and describes how these various forms of insulin work.
Make sure to check the information packet on your particular insulin product for storage guidelines. This eMedTV page lists several insulin storage tips that generally apply to most insulins; however, the guidelines will vary depending on the insulin.
An insulin overdose may lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels (which can be lethal). This article from the eMedTV Web library explains how to identify possible symptoms of an overdose and describes how this type of overdose may be treated.
The safety of using insulin during pregnancy will depend on which form of insulin you are using. This eMedTV article contains more information about this topic, and explains the importance of controlling your blood sugar during pregnancy.
Insulin is generally considered safe for women who are breastfeeding and their infants. This eMedTV resource takes a look at insulin and breastfeeding, including information on why it probably doesn't matter if insulin passes through breast milk.
Generic "biologic" drugs, including insulin, are not allowed to be manufactured in the United States. This eMedTV page discusses why there may never be generic insulin available and explains why insurance companies may only cover certain insulins.
