Insulin is a hormonal substance that your pancreas releases to permit cells to utilize glucose. If your body isn’t producing or using insulin in the way it should, you may make insulin in order to regulate your blood sugar.3 Types Of Insulin Use In Diabetes,Long Acting Insulin
Different forms of insulin are used to help treat diabetes in a variety of ways. They’re classified by how quickly they begin working and the length of time their effects last.
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The insulin types include:
- Rapid-acting. It begins to function within a couple of minutes and lasts for a few hours
- Short- or regular-acting that takes around 30 minutes to complete and lasts between 3 and 6 hours
- Intermediate-acting takes between about 2 to 4 hours for it to fully work and 18 hours effect.
- Long-acting, which is able to work throughout the day
- Pre-mixed
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Long acting insulin
Long-acting insulin doesn’t peak as short-acting insulins. They can manage blood sugar throughout the day. This action is similar to insulin that your pancreas normally produces to control blood sugar between meals.
Basal and background insulins are long-acting insulins. They work in the background to maintain your blood sugar levels throughout your day.
There are currently four long-acting insulin products:
- Insulin glargine ( Lantus) lasts for up to 24 hours
- Insulin detemir ( Levemir), lasts from 18 to 23 hours
- Insulin glargine ( Toujeo) lasts for more than 24 hours
- Insulin degludec ( Tresiba) lasts for up to 42 hours
- Insulin glargine ( Basaglar) lasts for up to 24 hours
Lantus and Toujeo both contain insulin glargine products manufactured by the same manufacturer. However, dosing might need to differ slightly. Because they use different formula concentrations, their blood sugar control may be slightly different.
Long-acting insulin
Long-acting insulin is usually injected once per day to maintain your blood sugar levels. To administer the injection, you will need a pen or needle. To avoid insulin coverage lags or stacking, inject long-acting insulin every day at the same time. Stacking is when you take your insulin doses too close together. This can cause their activity to overlap.
To prevent blood sugar spikes after eating, your doctor may recommend short-acting insulin.
You may need to take a different dose if you switch brands of long-acting insulin. If you need to change insulin brands, talk to your doctor.
Long-acting insulin can cause side effects
Insulin injections, like all medicines, can have side effects.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is one possible side effect. Low blood sugar can cause symptoms such asTrusted Source:
- dizziness
- Chills
- Blurred vision
- Weakness
- Kopfschmerz
- fainting
Another possible side effect of insulin injections is pain, redness, swelling, and/or redness at the injection site.
Sometimes insulin can be given with thiazolidinediones. This drug group includes oral diabetes drugs such as Actos or Avandia. Insulin with thiazolidinediones can increase fluid retention and cause heart failure.
Due to the long-lasting effects of degludec on the body, it is possible that precautions are necessary. Your doctor might recommend that you increase your dose gradually, at least 3-4 days apart
What Kind of Insulin is Best for my Type of Diabetes?
Your doctor will collaborate with you to recommend the type of insulin that is best for your needs and your diabetes. The decision to make will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- How insulin affects you. (How the time it requires for the body to absorb it , and the length of time it is active will vary from person to.)
- Lifestyle choices. The kind of food you consume as well as the amount of alcohol you consume, or the amount of exercise you do will affect the way that your body utilizes insulin.
- Your willingness to receive several injections daily
- How often do you check your blood sugar level?
- Your age
- Your goals in controlling your blood sugar levels
It is possible to need insulin more often than you do daily or spread your doses over the course of the day or take other medications.
Afrezza Afrezza, an inhaled insulin that is fast-acting that is FDA-approved to be used prior to meals for types 1 and 2 of diabetes. The drug is able to peak in blood levels in around 15 minutes, and is cleared from the body within 2 to 3 hours. It is recommended to use it in conjunction with insulin that is long-acting in those who suffer from type 1 diabetes.
What Doses Planned?
Follow the instructions of your physician regarding when you should get your dose of insulin. The time between the shot and meal can vary based on the type of insulin you are using.
In general, you should schedule your injection with eating. You should make sure that the glucose in your meals enters your system at around the time when the insulin begins to work. This will assist your body make use of the glucose and help avoid the effects of low blood sugar. In the chart on page 1: The “onset” column indicates the time when insulin begins to function within your body. You’d like that to happen while that you are absorbing food. A good timing can ensure that you don’t have low blood sugar levels.
- Insulins that act quickly: About 15 minutes prior to the mealtime
- Insulins that short-act 30 to 60 mins prior to the meal
- Intermediate-acting insulins For up to an hour prior to eating
- Pre-mixed insulins Based on the type of product between 10 and 30 to 45 mins prior to the mealtime
Exclusivity in the Insulin Dosing as well as Timing
Long-acting insulins aren’t tied down to meals or times of eating. It is recommended to take detemir (Levemir) at least once or twice every day, no matter what time you consume food. You’ll also take Glargine (Basaglar, Lantus, Toujeo) every day and always simultaneously. Deglutec is taken only once per daily, so the exact time of day is flexible. Some people require pairing an insulin that is long-acting with a type that is shorter-acting or another medication which does require taking during mealtimes.
These products are also able to be taken after you consume food, not 15 minutes prior to dinnertime. You may also take a portion of them before time of bed.
For more details on when you should take insulin, check out the “dosing and administration” section in the package insert included with your insulin package or speak with your physician.
Insulin’s Effects on Insulin
The main ones include:
- Low blood sugar
- Weight gain after you begin using it
- Scars or lumps that show up after you’ve received too many injections
- There is a rash at the point of injection or, in rare instances all over your body
In the case of inhaled insulin, it’s possible that your lungs may get tighter suddenly if you suffer from asthma or COPD lung disease.
Storing Injectable Insulin
Always keep at least two bottles each type you’re using in your inventory. It is not necessary to freeze insulin vials used. The best general rule is that If the temperature is comfortable for you, then the medication is considered safe. It is possible to store the bottle in a the room temperature (not greater than 80 F) for up to 30 days. It is important to ensure that it doesn’t be too hot or cold, so make sure to ensure that it is kept out of the direct sunlight.
Make sure you have spare bottles inside the fridge. When you go to bed the night before you’re scheduled to begin using a brand new bottle, open it and allow it to warm up. Don’t let your insulin freeze.
Always check the insulin in the bottle prior to you inject your syringe. Short-acting, rapid-acting and certain types of long-acting are transparent. Some forms might appear cloudy but they shouldn’t contain the appearance of clumps.
If you have an empty bottle make sure you don’t shake it. It creates air bubbles which could alter what amount of insulin that you receive when you take it out to take an injection.
For insulin pens, consult the insert of the package for storage guidelines
