Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml contains human insulin, used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. It maintains blood sugar levels in both adults and children. Diabetes mellitus is a condition that affects the way your body processes glucose. In Diabetes Mellitus Type 1, the body does not make enough insulin to control blood sugar levels. In Diabetes Mellitus type 2, either the body stops producing enough insulin (the hormone which helps to decrease sugar levels in the blood) or there is resistance to the action of insulin. As a result, insulin is produced in large amounts but it is not able to act on the organs of the body.

Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml works by ensuring rapid and consistent sugar control. Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml is a fast-acting type of insulin which helps to decrease blood sugar levels after the intake of meals. It prevents the chances of developing serious complications of diabetes. It facilitates the reuptake of sugar in muscle and fat cells and thus, suppresses the production of sugar in the liver.

Your doctor will advise you on how to use this medicine. It is advised to get it administered by a healthcare professional. It should be taken 15 minutes prior to the meal or within 20 minutes after you start having a meal. In some cases, you may experience injection site reactions like redness or swelling. Some people gain weight while taking insulin. You may also experience symptoms of hypoglycemia such as cold sweat, cool pale skin, nervousness or tremor, anxious feeling, unusual tiredness or weakness, confusion, difficulty in concentration, drowsiness, excessive hunger, temporary vision changes, headache, nausea and palpitation. Most of these side effects of Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.

Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. Let your doctor know about this, as it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Do not take this medicine if you have any low blood glucose levels, kidney, liver or heart problems or problems with alcohol or other prescription recreational drugs. Along with this medicine, you should take a healthy diet, do regular exercise and maintain weight as advised by your doctor. Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml is a cold chain medicine and so it has to be stored in the refrigerator between 2-8 degrees Celsius else its efficiency may be lost. Do not store in the freezer of the refrigerator.

Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml should never be administered intravenously (into the vein). It is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen or thigh region. Take Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml as advised by the doctor. If you are not well trained to self-administer Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml, ask a healthcare professional to administer it.

When you take Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml, it works by ensuring rapid and consistent sugar control. It facilitates the reuptake of sugar in muscle and fat cells and thus, suppresses the production of sugar in the liver.  It helps to decrease blood sugar levels after the intake of meals. It prevents the chances of developing serious complications of diabetes. Besides this, Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml can be safely prescribed to the diabetic mother in the pregnancy as well as lactation stage. Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml helps in improving the glycaemic control which in turn decreases the risk of progression of complications of diabetes like damage of retina (retinopathy), damage of kidney (nephropathy), damage of nerve cells (neuropathy), delayed wound healing, diabetic foot ulcer and others.

Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml is for subcutaneous use only and should never be administered intravenously (IV) or in the veins. If you are changing the brand of insulin, it should be done under strict medical supervision. Cases of heart failure have been reported when pioglitazone was used with insulin especially in patients who are at high risk of cardiac heart failure. The first symptoms of hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar level) may include symptoms like excessive thirst, dry mouth, increased frequency of urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, flushed dry skin, loss of appetite and acetone odour of breath. You should closely monitor these symptoms. Symptoms like heart failure, weight gain and oedema (fluid deposition in tissue) should not be overruled. You are recommended not to consume alcohol as it may increase or decrease your blood glucose level. Care should be taken when you are traveling across more than 2 time zones. Your doctor may adjust your insulin schedule. Insulatard HM Penfill 3 ml may decrease level of potassium leading to state of hypokalaemia that, if left untreated, may lead to respiratory paralysis, irregular heartbeat rhythm, coma and even death. Do not take this medicine if you have any low blood glucose levels, kidney, liver, or heart problems, or problems with alcohol or other prescription recreational drugs.

• Exercise may lower your body’s need for insulin during and for some time after the physical activity.

• Exercise may also speed up the effect of an insulin dose, especially if the exercise involves the area of injection site (for example, the leg should not be used for injection just prior to running).

• Discuss with your doctor how you should adjust your insulin regimen to accommodate exercise. 

• Avoid eating sugar food and prefer food cooked food low in calories.

• When traveling across more than 2 time zones, you should talk to your doctor concerning adjustments in your insulin schedule.

• Your doctor may advice HbA1c regularly to monitor your sugar levels and dose adjustments.

• If traveling across time zones, ask your doctor about how to adjust your insulin schedule. Take extra insulin and supplies with you.

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 amount but is unable to act on the tissues of the organs.