Insulin Therapy

Why Do I Need to Take Insulin?

When you have diabetes, it means your pancreas no longer produces insulin. Insulin is
necessary to process the glucose that ends up in your bloodstream as a result of the food
you eat. So, since you cannot produce insulin on your own, you must get it from another
source.
GOAL:
Maintain blood sugar levels within your target range. It is dministered in the fat under your
skin using a syringe, insulin pen or insulin pump depending on factors including the type of
diabetes you have, how much your blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day and your
lifestyle.
Each insulin type is characterized by:
Onset how long it takes to begin working
!eak when it"s working the hardest
#uration how long it lasts
What Type o Insulin Is !est or "y Diabetes?
$our doctor will work with you to prescribe the type of insulin that is best for you and your
diabetes. #eciding what type of insulin might be best for you will depend on many factors,
including%
$our body"s individuali&ed response to insulin 'how long it takes insulin to be absorbed in the
body and remain active in the body varies slightly from person to person(.
$our own lifestyle choices )) for instance, the type of food you eat, if*how much alcohol you
drink, or how much e+ercise you get )) are all factors that influence your body"s processing of insulin.
,ow willing you are to give yourself multiple in-ections per day.
,ow fre.uently you are willing to check your blood sugar level.
$our age.
$our blood sugar management goals.
Type of Insulin
/ 0rand 1ames
Onset !eak #uration 2ole in 0lood Sugar Management
2apid)3cting
,umalog or
lispro
45)67
min.
67)87 min 6)5 hours
2apid)acting insulin covers insulin needs for
meals eaten at the same time as the in-ection.
This type of insulin is used with longer)acting
insulin.
1ovolog or
aspart
47)97
min.
:7)57 min. 6)5 hours
3pidra or
glulisine
97)67
min.
67)87 min.
4)9;
hours
Short)3cting
2egular '2(
humulin or
novolin
67 min.
)4 hour
9)5 hours 5)< hours
Short)acting insulin covers insulin needs for
meals eaten within 67)=7 minutes
>elosulin 'for
use in the
insulin pump(
67 min.)
4 hour
9)6 hours 9)6 hours
Intermediate)3cting
1!, '1(
4)9
hours
:)49 hours
4<)9:
hours
Intermediate)acting insulin covers insulin
needs for about half the day or overnight. This
type of insulin is often combined with rapid) or
short)acting insulin.
?ente '?(
4)9;
hours
6)47 hours
4<)9:
hours
?ong)3cting
@ltralente '@(
67 min.)
6 hours
47)97 hours
97)6=
hours
?ong)acting insulin covers insulin needs for
about one full day. This type of insulin is often
combined, when needed, with rapid) or short)
acting insulin.
?antus
4)4;
hour
1o peak timeA
insulin is delivered
at a steady level
97)9:
hours
?evemir or
detemir
4)9
hours
=)< hours
@p to 9:
hours
!re)Mi+edB
,umulin C7*67 67 min. 9): hours
4:)9:
hours
These products are generally taken twice a
day before mealtime.
1ovolin C7*67 67 min. 9)49 hours
@p to 9:
hours
1ovolog C7*67
47)97
min.
4): hours
@p to 9:
hours
,umulin 57*57 67 min. 9)5 hours
4<)9:
hours
,umalog mi+
C5*95
45 min. 67 min.)9; hours
4=)97
hours
B!remi+ed insulins are a combination of specific proportions of intermediate)acting and short)acting insulin
in one bottle or insulin pen 'the numbers following the brand name indicate the percentage of each type of
insulin(.

#apid actin$ insulins) $ou should self)in-ect about 47 minutes before mealtime.
%hort&actin$ insulins&Such as regular insulin, should be taken 67 to =7 minutes before a meal.
Intermediate)acting insulins should be taken up to 4 hour prior to a meal.
're&(i)ed insulins )!remi+ed solutions should be taken 47 minutes or 67 to :5 minutes before
mealtime.
E)ceptions to Insulin Dosin$ and Ti(in$
In-ections of long)acting insulins are not DtimedD to mealtime because of their long duration of
action.
?antus is only administered once a day 'and should be administered at the same time each
day(. Eeep in mind that these long)acting insulins may need to be given with shorter)acting
insulin products ))depending on your individual situation )) that will likely need to be DtimedD
with mealtime.
Finally, the rapid)acting products can also be taken immediately after a meal 'rather than 45
minutes before mealtime(. Some products can also be administered at bedtime.
Insulin Ad(inistration Tips
1. Wash your hands.
2. *hoose the in+ection site G do not use the same area and always rotate the area for less pain
and easy distribution of medicine 'insulin(. The main in-ecting sites are the abdomen, thighs, and
back of the upper arms. The abdomen is most commonly usedA it is easy to reach, and the insulin
is best absorbed. #o not choose a site too close to moles or scars.
3. "edicine te(perature ) always keep the usable medicine at room temperature, because
in-ecting refrigerated medicine can be painful. Furthermore, insulin stay well for one month at
room temperature without refrigeration, as long as the room temperature is under <= deg F '69
deg H( .
4. *lean in+ection site G may be with alcohol)dipped cotton and make it dry.
5. Inspect the insulin ) 2apid and short)acting insulin should look clear, but intermediate and long)
acting insulin should look cloudy without clumps or crystals. If the insulin looks different from
actual, it may be gotten spoiled to throw away or claim e+change.
6. "i) ,ell ) Intermediate or long)acting insulin is cloudy nature, and it needs to be properly mi+ed
by rolling between hand, but do not shake vigorously.
7. -nits re.uired ) Honfirm your unit re.uirement, pull back the plunger to that number, -ust to draw
air in it.
8. Air ill Insulin bottle ) Insulin bottle in upright position, insert the needle slightly -ust to put the
measured air in the syringe.
9. /or (i)ed (edicine user ) repeat the step < for second medicine.
10. Take out (edicine ) 1eedle still in the bottle turns the medicine bottle upside)down. Then pull
out the plunger to measure our slightly higher medicine than actual need.
11. "easure e)act (edicine ,ithout air ) Tap the syringe side gently to make it rise to the top,
push out the air and e+cess medicine, and measure out correct units.
12. Double conir( the nu(ber o unit is correct.
13. /or (i)ed (edicine user ) repeat steps 47 to 49 for your second medicine.
14. 0old the syrin$e similar to a pencil, look at the needle, and confirm correct angled position as
per diabetes educator advice.
15. Gently insert the needle under the skin. Slowly, and steadily, press the plunger with thumb until
the insulin in completed.
16. 'ull out the e(pty syrin$e $ently. !ress the in-ection site for some seconds to prevent insulin
leak out.
17. Massage gently the in-ected site for better distribution and absorption of medicine.
Where %hould I In+ect "y Insulin?
Where you in-ect your insulin has an effect on how .uickly it goes to work in your body. For
e+ample, insulin in-ected into your abdomen works faster than when you in-ect it into your
thigh or buttock. ItIs usually preferable to in-ect the insulin in the same muscle group each time
so you can predict speed of delivery. !ut it is i(portant that you rotate the e)act location o
the in+ection to a1oid de1elopin$ lu(ps under the skin2
E3A"'LE% O/ IN%-LIN and IN%-LIN AD"INI%T#ATION

Insulin Example
Insulin 'en 4Apidra 4short actin$ insulin5 and Lantus 4lon$
actin$ insulin55
Tuberculin Syringe
Parts of Insulin Pen