Insulin Human+insulin Isophane
About Insulin Human+insulin Isophane
Insulin Human+insulin Isophane is a combination insulin injection used to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes mellitus. It combines a short-acting insulin and an intermediate-acting insulin to help control blood sugar after meals while maintaining stable blood sugar levels between meals and overnight.
For best results, inject Insulin Human+insulin Isophane consistently at the same times every day, typically shortly before a meal. Skipping meals after an injection can cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Alongside your injections, following a balanced diet plan and maintaining a regular exercise routine are crucial for managing your condition.
The most common side effect of this medicine is low blood sugar. You may also experience mild redness or swelling where you inject. If you notice signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of your throat or trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Do not take this if you are currently experiencing an episode of low blood sugar. Before starting Insulin Human+insulin Isophane, tell your doctor if you have kidney, liver, or heart problems, as your dose may need adjustment. This medicine is not suitable for individuals who have had a severe allergic reaction to any of its ingredients.
Certain medicines, alcohol, and lifestyle habits like smoking can affect how this insulin works in your body. For instance, drinking alcohol can make your blood sugar levels drop unpredictably. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure this treatment is safe for you.
Uses of Insulin Human+insulin Isophane
Medicinal Benefits
Insulin Human+insulin Isophane combines a short-acting and an intermediate-acting insulin to provide both mealtime and long-lasting blood sugar control. It helps maintain stable glucose levels throughout the day and night as part of an effective diabetes management plan.
- Provides Dual-Action Blood Sugar Control: Helps control the rise in blood sugar after meals while maintaining steady blood sugar levels between meals and overnight.
- Maintains Stable Blood Glucose Levels: Reduces fluctuations in blood sugar, supporting better day-to-day diabetes management.
- Lowers the Risk of Diabetes Complications: Good blood sugar control helps reduce the risk of complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels.
- Supports Daily Well-Being: Stable blood sugar levels may help reduce symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue while improving overall energy levels.
- Provides Convenient Insulin Coverage: Combines rapid and intermediate insulin action in a single preparation, reducing the need for multiple insulin injections in some patients.
Directions for Use
- Insulin Human+insulin Isophane should be administered approximately 30-45 minutes before a meal as prescribed by the doctor.
- Administer Insulin Human+insulin Isophane subcutaneously as instructed by the doctor. Your doctor will train you on how to use Insulin Human+insulin Isophane at home.
- Check the label for directions and use it as advised by the doctor. Insulin Human+insulin Isophane should be administered subcutaneously (under the skin) in the thighs, abdomen, buttocks, or upper arm.
- Rotate the injection site each time.
- Do not inject into the areas where the skin is tender, red, bruised, hard, scarred or has stretch marks.
Storage
Side Effects of Insulin Human+insulin Isophane
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can cause shakiness, sweating, or dizziness
- Redness, swelling, or mild itching at the site of injection
- Thickening or pitting of the skin where you inject (lipodystrophy)
- Mild weight gain as your body begins to process sugar properly
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Severe low blood sugar, marked by confusion, extreme sleepiness, slurred speech, seizures, or loss of consciousness
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, including a widespread body rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Low potassium levels in the blood, which can cause muscle cramps, severe weakness, or an irregular heartbeat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect Before Use: After gently rolling the vial or pen between your hands, the insulin should appear uniformly cloudy or milky. Do not use it if it contains clumps or white particles stuck to the container.
- Rotate Injection Sites: Alternate injection sites between the abdomen, thighs, and upper arms to reduce the risk of skin thickening or fat tissue changes and to ensure consistent insulin absorption.
- Never Share Injection Devices: Do not share insulin pens, syringes, or needles with anyone, even if the needle has been changed.
- Check the Label Before Each Injection: Always verify that you are using Insulin Human+insulin Isophane and the correct strength before administering your dose.
- Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol may cause unpredictable changes in blood sugar levels and increase the risk of severe hypoglycaemia.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact with Insulin Human+insulin Isophane:
- Other diabetes medicines, ACE inhibitors, or certain antidepressants: May increase the risk of low blood sugar when combined with Insulin Human+insulin Isophane.
- Beta-blockers: May hide the physical warning signs of low blood sugar, such as a fast or pounding heartbeat.
- Corticosteroids, thyroid medications, or oral contraceptives: May raise your blood sugar, reducing the effectiveness of Insulin Human+insulin Isophane and requiring a higher insulin dose.
Drug-Food Interactions
Certain foods and drinks may affect how Insulin Human+insulin Isophane works or influence your blood sugar levels:
- Alcohol: Can cause unpredictable fluctuations in blood sugar and significantly increases the risk of severe low blood sugar.
Drug-Disease Interactions
Certain medical conditions may affect how Insulin Human+insulin Isophane works or increase the risk of side effects:
- Kidney or liver damage: Can reduce the amount of insulin your body needs to clear from your system, increasing your risk of low blood sugar.
- Heart failure: Certain diabetes tablets taken alongside Insulin Human+insulin Isophane can cause fluid retention, which may worsen heart failure.
- Infections or high fever: Physical stress can raise your blood sugar levels, which may require your doctor to increase your dose of Insulin Human+insulin Isophane temporarily.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Insulin Human+insulin Isophane to avoid unpleasant side-effects. Alcohol may intensify and prolong the hypoglycemic effect of insulin.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorPlease inform your doctor if you are pregnant as a dose adjustment may be required. The amount of insulin you need usually falls during the first three months of pregnancy and increases for the remaining six months
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorPlease inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding, as a dose adjustment may be required. You may be advised to alter your insulin intake or to modify your diet.
Driving
cautionDrive with caution, Insulin Human+insulin Isophane usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability. Your ability to concentrate and react may be reduced if you have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Liver
cautionInsulin Human+insulin Isophane to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions.
Kidney
cautionInsulin Human+insulin Isophane to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedInsulin Human+insulin Isophane can be given safely to children provided the dose has been prescribed by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain consistent carbohydrate intake: Try to eat similar amounts of carbohydrates at the same times every day to help prevent sudden spikes or drops in blood sugar.
- Never skip meals after injecting: Always eat your meal within the timeframe recommended by your doctor after injecting Insulin Human+insulin Isophane to avoid low blood sugar.
- Carry fast-acting sugar: Keep fruit juice, hard candies, or glucose tablets with you at all times in case you experience sudden low blood sugar.
- Monitor blood sugar during exercise: Physical activity naturally lowers blood sugar, so check your levels before, during, and after exercise, and adjust your food intake as advised by your doctor.
- Keep an accurate blood sugar log: Record your daily readings, meal times, and doses to help your doctor optimise your treatment plan during checkups.
Special Advise
- If you feel any symptoms of Hypoglycemia (fatigue, dizziness ,Confusion, heart palpitations, shakiness and anxiety), consult your doctor immediately.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
In type 1 diabetes mellitus our body does not make insulin (the hormone which helps to decrease sugar levels in the blood) to control blood sugar levels.
In type 2 diabetes mellitus, either the body stops producing enough insulin, or there is resistance to the action of insulin. As a result, insulin is produced in sufficient amounts but is unable to act on the tissues of the organs.
FAQs
Insulin Human+insulin Isophane is used for the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Insulin kept out of the refrigerator will not poison you or even make you sick. It just means that your Insulin Human+insulin Isophane will not work as well or deliver its full potential dose. In simple terms, if your blood sugar is high, and you use the insulin that has been kept out, your blood sugar may not be lowered. In short efficacy of Insulin Human+insulin Isophane will be decreased if not kept in the refrigerator between 2-8 degrees Celsius.
If Insulin Human+insulin Isophane is taken in more than the recommended doses, it can cause mild to severe hypoglycemic episodes.
Symptoms of high blood sugar include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, vomiting, shortness of breath, nausea, stomach pain, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, and a fast heartbeat.
It's generally recommended to limit or avoid alcohol consumption while taking Insulin Human+insulin Isophane, as it can interact with insulin and affect blood sugar control. Alcohol can also increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If you choose to drink alcohol, it's essential to monitor your blood sugar levels closely and consult with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
Storage: Store Insulin Human+insulin Isophane in a refrigerator at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C. Do not freeze it. Please keep it away from direct heat and light. Before use, ensure the insulin appears uniformly white and cloudy after resuspension. If it does not, do not use it. Disposal: Dispose of used needles in a puncture-resistant container. Do not reuse needles. Once the Insulin Human+insulin Isophane is empty or no longer needed, dispose of it according to local regulations for medical waste. Do not throw it in household trash.
No, you should not inject Insulin Human+insulin Isophane if you are skipping a meal. Because this medicine contains a fast-acting component that lowers blood sugar quickly to handle food, skipping a meal after injecting can lead to severe low blood sugar. Talk to your doctor if you need to adjust your eating schedule.
The best areas for subcutaneous injection are your abdomen, thighs, buttocks, or the back of your upper arms. The abdomen absorbs insulin the fastest. You should rotate your injection sites within these areas for each dose. Talk to your doctor to find the best injection routine for you.
If you feel shaky, sweaty, or dizzy, consume 15 grams of fast-acting sugar immediately, such as a half-cup of fruit juice, three to four glucose tablets, or some hard candies. Recheck your blood sugar after 15 minutes. If it is still low, take another portion of sugar. Talk to your doctor if you experience frequent low blood sugar episodes.
No, you should not mix Insulin Human+insulin Isophane with other insulin formulations in the same syringe. Doing so can alter how both insulins are absorbed and make your blood sugar levels highly unpredictable. Always use Insulin Human+insulin Isophane exactly as it is supplied. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if your treatment plan requires multiple types of insulin.
Yes, keeping blood sugar well-controlled is highly important during pregnancy, and this type of insulin is commonly prescribed to pregnant women. However, your insulin needs can change significantly during pregnancy and after delivery. Talk to your doctor to adjust your dose as your pregnancy progresses.
Pain can occur from cold insulin, dull needles, or improper technique. Bumpy skin (lipodystrophy) happens if you inject into the exact same spot too many times, which causes fat tissue to swell or shrink. Always use a new needle for each injection and rotate your injection sites. Talk to your doctor if the bumps do not go away.
Yes, you can travel with Insulin Human+insulin Isophane. Carry your in-use insulin and spare supplies in your hand luggage so they do not freeze in the cargo hold of an aeroplane. Use an insulated travel bag if you are travelling in extreme heat, and never leave your insulin in a parked car. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for a travel letter if needed.
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