Insulin Isophane
About
Insulin Isophane 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.
Insulin Isophane works by ensuring rapid and consistent sugar control. Insulin Isophane 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 Insulin Isophane 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. Insulin Isophane 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.
Uses of Insulin Isophane
Medicinal Benefits
When you take Insulin Isophane, 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, Insulin Isophane can be safely prescribed to the diabetic mother in the pregnancy as well as lactation stage. Insulin Isophane 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.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Insulin Isophane
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Confusion
- Difficulty in concentration
- Drowsiness
- Excessive hunger
- Temporary vision changes
- Headache
- Nausea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Insulin Isophane 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. Insulin Isophane 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.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: This medicine may have an interaction with anti-depressants (phenelzine, iproniazid, isocarboxazid, nialamide, imipramine, desipramine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide), anti Parkinson’s drug (selegiline), antibiotic (linezolid), (lithium, tryptophan), migraines drug (sumatriptan), pain killer (tramadol), anti-ulcer (cimetidine, lansoprazole, omeprazole), anti-fungal (fluconazole), anti-stroke pills (ticlopidine), blood-thinners (warfarin, dipyridamole, and phenprocoumon), antimalarial (mefloquine), heart-related drug (flecainide, propafenone), and medicines that decrease blood levels of potassium or magnesium, as these increase the risk of life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. Besides this, the use of oral antidiabetic pills like pramlintide and antibiotics (pentamidine) may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level).
Drug-Food Interaction: Try to avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Insulin Isophane as it may increase or decrease your blood sugar level.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Insulin Isophane should not be given to patients with kidney disease, liver disease, low potassium level (hypokalaemia) and low blood sugar/glucose level (hypoglycaemia).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Insulin Isophane to avoid unpleasant side-effects. Alcohol may either decrease or increase the blood sugar level which can be fatal.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedPlease 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
safe if prescribedPlease inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding as a dose adjustment may be required.
Driving
cautionDrive with caution, Insulin Isophane usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability. Your ability to concentrate and react may be reduced if you have hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
Liver
cautionInsulin Isophane to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionInsulin 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 Isophane can be given safely to children provided, dose has to be prescribed by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- 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.
Special Advise
- 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.
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 amount but is unable to act on the tissues of the organs.
FAQs
If you use more than recommended dose of Insulin Isophane, your blood sugar may become low (you feel dizzy and drowsy). Please inform your doctor immediately and do as advised to avoid any unpleasant side effect.
If you use less Insulin Isophane than you should, your blood sugar levels may increase. Please check your blood sugar. And also, do not inject a double dose to make up for a forgotten/missed dose.
Yes, Insulin Isophane can cause oedema (e.g. swelling in arms, ankles; fluid retention), specially at the start of insulin therapy or during a change in therapy to improve control of your blood glucose. If it persists, please consult your doctor.
Insulin Isophane can be given to treat both the condition of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, your doctor will decide whether Insulin Isophane can be given to you or not depending on your present condition. Insulin Isophane should be avoided in patients who are allergic to Insulin Isophane or other forms of insulin. It should be avoided in patients suffering from low potassium level (hypokalemia), moderate to severe kidney disease or liver disease. Inform doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Insulin Isophane shows its effect within half an hour after you take it. It shows maximum effect between 1-4 hours after you take and its effects lasts up to 24 hours. But the effect may change from person to person, consult your doctor for further information.
Insulin Isophane is a cold chain medicine which has to be stored 2-8 degree celsius only else its efficiency of reducing blood glucose level declines. Do not keep inside the freezer. So, if it is not stored between 2-8 degree celsius its efficiency may decrease.
Yes, you should inform your doctor before travelling specially when travelling to a different time zone as dose adjustment may be required.
Insulin Isophane should not given into the veins or intravenously (IV) route. It should be only administered in the subcutaneous region below the skin. Abdomen regions (stomach) is the best site for the injecting Insulin Isophane. However, you can also inject Insulin Isophane in the upper arm, or thigh region, as suggested by your doctor.
Yes. Prolonged administration of Insulin Isophane may lower your potassium level. So, close monitoring of potassium level is required. So, it is advisable to have regular medical test of potassium level.
