When To Take Long-acting Insulin

Know That When You Check Your Blood Sugar The Number Tells Us How Well Your Last Dose Of Insulin Worked

Long-acting insulin: What you need to know

For example, meal rapid-acting insulin peaks in 1 to 2 hours and lasts 3 to 4 hours. Your blood sugar taken 2 hours after the meal tells us how well the peak of the insulin covered the peak of the blood sugar after you ate. Your blood sugar taken before the next meal tells us how well the insulin worked during the time your carbohydrate was breaking down.

How To Take Long

Usually, you inject long-acting insulin once a day to keep your blood sugar levels steady. You use a needle or pen device to give yourself the injection. Be sure to inject your long-acting insulin at the same time every day to avoid lags in insulin coverage or stacking your insulin doses. Stacking means taking your doses too close together, causing their activity to overlap.

Your doctor might recommend adding short-acting insulin before a meal to prevent a blood sugar spike after you eat.

If you change brands of long-acting insulin, you may need a different dose. Talk to your doctor if you change brands of any insulin.

As with any medicine you take, insulin injections can cause side effects.

One possible side effect is low blood sugar . Symptoms of low blood sugar

How Are Doses Scheduled

Follow your doctor’s guidelines on when to take your insulin. The time span between your shot and meals may vary depending on the type you use.

In general, though, you should coordinate your injection with a meal. You want to time your shot so that the glucose from your food gets into your system at about the same time that the insulin starts to work. This will help your body use the glucose and avoid low blood sugar reactions. From the chart on page 1, the “onset” column shows when the insulin will begin to work in your body. You want that to happen at the same time you’re absorbing food. Good timing will help you avoid low blood sugar levels.

Rapid acting insulins: About 15 minutes before mealtime
Short-acting insulins: 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
Intermediate-acting insulins: Up to 1 hour prior to a meal
Pre-mixed insulins: Depending on the product, between 10 minutes or 30 to 45 minutes before mealtime

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What Type Of Insulin Is Best For My Diabetes

Your doctor will work with you to prescribe the type of insulin thats best for you and your diabetes. Making that choice will depend on many things, including:

How you respond to insulin.
Lifestyle choices. The type of food you eat, how much alcohol you drink, or how much exercise you get will all affect how your body uses insulin.
Your willingness to give yourself multiple injections per day
Your goals for managing your blood sugar

Your doctor may prescribe more than one type. You might need to take insulin more than once daily, to space your doses throughout the day, or to add other medicines.

Afrezza, a rapid-acting inhaled insulin, is FDA-approved for use before meals for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The drug peaks in your blood in about 15-20 minutes and it clears your body in 2-3 hours. It must be used along with long-acting insulin in people with type 1 diabetes.

The chart below lists the types of injectable insulin with details about onset , peak and duration . These three things may vary. The final column offers some insight into the coverage provided by the different insulin types in relation to mealtime.

Type of Insulin & Brand Names

Onset

When Should I Take My Long Acting Insulin

6 Quick Memes and a Nice Chart about Insulin

When should I take insulin? If you take Regular insulin or a longer-acting insulin, you should generally take it 15 to 30 minutes before a meal. If you take insulin lispro , which works very quickly, you should generally take it less than 15 minutes before you eat.Aug 1, 1999

Basaglar is labeled to be taken once-daily, at the same time every day for instance, every night before bed at 10 pm or every day first thing in the morning at 9 am. For some people, however, the glucose-lowering effect may last less than 24 hours.

Beside this, When is the best time to take insulin morning or night?

Ideally, basal insulin should produce at most a 30 milligrams per deciliter change when blood sugar levels are stable and in your target range during sleep times. Thats why your healthcare provider will most likely advise you to inject basal insulin at night, preferably before bedtime.

Likewise, Can Basaglar be taken twice a day?

Basaglar and Levemir are each taken as a subcutaneous injection . Basaglar is typically used once each day. Levemir is used once or twice a day.

Also, How many hours does Basaglar last?

insulin glargine , lasts up to 24 hours.

What is the best time of day to take long-acting insulin?

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Always Choosing The Same Spot To Inject Insulin

Insulin is absorbed at different rates depending on where you inject it. It enters your blood fastest when you inject it into your abdomen, a little more slowly when you inject it into the upper arms, and even more slowly when you inject it into the thighs and buttocks, according to the ADA. Youll get the best results by injecting your basal or bolus insulin into the same general body area, but rotating the side of the body where you inject if from day to day. Injecting insulin in the same spot over and over can cause hard, fatty lumps to form. These lumps dont absorb insulin well. You could be injecting your usual dose of insulin into one of these areas but potentially 50 percent or less of the insulin is absorbed, Port says. She recommends checking for these hard lumps from time to time.

For more on how to use insulin properly, check out Diabetes Dailys article Habits of a Great A1C: Insulin Use Strategies!

What Is Basal Insulin

Insulin is produced by the beta cells inyour pancreas. Normally, the pancreas produces a steady amount of insulinduring the day, whether you are sleeping or awake. This is called basalinsulin. After you eat, your pancreatic beta cells produce a burst of insulin,called bolus insulin.

When you have diabetes, your pancreaticbeta cells no longer produce enough basal and/or bolus insulin. For thisreason, you need to use long-acting insulin to replacethe basal insulin, and short-acting mealtime insulin to replace your bolusinsulin.

Both long and ultra-long-acting insulinshave chemical modifications that allow them to release into your bloodstream ata steady rate to mimic basal insulin. These modifications include changes toamino acids, which are the building blocks of all proteins including insulin.

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Dont Switch Your Insulin Dose Or Stop Taking It Without Seeing Your Doctor First

Switching your insulin medication or changing the dose without asking a doctor can put you at risk for serious side effects and complications.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you should be seeing your doctor or endocrinologist for a checkup roughly every 3 to 4 months. At your appointment, your doctor can assess your individual insulin needs and give you proper training on new doses or dosing methods.

Dont Inject The Insulin Too Deep

Lispro, Aspart, NPH, and Glargine – Insulin Preparations (Rapid, Short, and Long Acting)

Insulin is supposed to be injected into the fat layer under the skin using a short needle. This is referred to as a subcutaneous injection.

If you inject the insulin too deep and it enters your muscle, your body may absorb it too quickly. The insulin might not last very long, and the injection could be very painful.

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How Much Insulin Is Too Much To Take For High Blood Sugar

Ideally, you should be able to correct your blood sugar with an appropriate insulin dose. How much insulin is too much varies based on how sensitive your body is to insulin.

If you have higher-than-expected blood sugar , you should check your urine for ketones. The presence of ketones suggests your bodys cells are having trouble getting enough glucose. You could be at risk for a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis if you have ketones in your urine.

In this instance, you need extra help correcting your blood sugar. You should seek emergency medical attention instead of trying to keep injecting insulin to lower your blood sugar.

Do Count Your Carbs Before Using Mealtime Insulin

Work with your doctor to understand the amount of mealtime insulin you need to inject. This is based on the number of servings of carbohydrates you plan on eating during a meal and your blood sugar prior to eating.

Over time, youll get better at figuring out your carb intake. In the meantime, a dietitian can help you come up with a meal plan that works for you.

There are also several smartphone applications and internet-based calculators available to help you figure out your carb intake and your corresponding insulin dosage.

Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, can happen when you take the wrong insulin dose, dont eat enough carbs after taking your insulin, exercise more than usual, or feel stressed.

You should take the time to learn the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, including:

being unable to speak or think clearly
loss of muscle coordination
visual disturbance, such as blurry vision
feeling weak, shaky, or lightheaded

You should learn how to manage hypoglycemia if it happens to you. For example, you can eat or drink glucose tablets, juice, soda, or hard candies. You should also be extra cautious after vigorous exercise, as it can lower blood sugar for hours after the workout.

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Insulin A To Z: A Guide On Different Types Of Insulin

Elizabeth Blair, A.N.P., at Joslin Diabetes Center, helps break down the different types of insulin and how they work for people with diabetes. Types of Insulin for People with Diabetes Rapid-acting: Usually taken before a meal to cover the blood glucose elevation from eating. This type of insulin is used with longer-acting insulin. Short-acting: Usually taken about 30 minutes before a meal to cover the blood glucose elevation from eating. This type of insulin is used with longer-acting insulin. Intermediate-acting: Covers the blood glucose elevations when rapid-acting insulins stop working. This type of insulin is often combined with rapid- or short-acting insulin and is usually taken twice a day. Long-acting: This type of insulin is often combined, when needed, with rapid- or short-acting insulin. It lowers blood glucose levels when rapid-acting insulins stop working. It is taken once or twice a day. A Guide on Insulin Types for People with Diabetes Type Brand Name Onset Peak Duration Rapid-acting Humalog Novolog Apidra 10 – 30 minutes 30 minutes – 3 hours 3 – 5 hours Short-acting Regular 30 minutes – 1 hour 2 – 5 hours Up to 12 hours Intermediate- acting NPH 1.5 – 4 hours 4 – 12 hours Up to 24 hours Long-acting Lantus Levemir 0.8 – 4 hours Minimal peak Up to 24 hours To make an appointment with a Joslin diabetes nurse educator, please call 732-2400.Continue reading > >

How to use basal insulin: Benefits, types, and dosage

What Is Different About Insulin Lispro

Insulin lispro is a new type of insulin. It starts working sooner than other insulin types. It also reaches peak activity faster and goes away sooner. Insulin lispro helps keep your blood sugar level from going too high after you eat. To keep your blood sugar level steady, your doctor will probably prescribe either a longer-acting insulin or another drug for you to take each day in addition to the insulin lispro.

If you need to mix insulin lispro with a longer-acting insulin, it’s best that you mix insulin lispro only with Humulin U or Humulin N, which are brand names for certain longer-acting insulins. Insulin lispro should always be drawn into the syringe first. This will keep the longer-acting insulin from getting into the insulin lispro bottle.

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How Do I Use An Insulin Pen

Select a clean, dry work area. The supplies you will need include:

The prescribed insulin pen
Pen needles and alcohol wipes
A container for used equipment. You can use a hard plastic container with a screw-on or tight lid, or a commercial sharps container.

Here are the steps you will take:

Begin by washing your hands.

Remove the cap of the insulin pen.

If the insulin in the pen appears cloudy, roll the pen in your hands and turn it from side to side for one full minute. You do not have to roll the pen if the insulin is completely clear. Do not shake the pen.

Wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol wipe.

Attach a new pen needle onto the insulin pen. Pen needles come in different sizes. Talk to your healthcare provider to choose the pen needle that is best for you.

To attach the pen needle, pull the paper tab off the pen needle, screw the new needle onto the pen, and remove the outer cap of the needle. You will need the outer cap to remove the needle from the pen when you are done with the injection. Remove the inner cap.

Prime the insulin pen. Priming means removing air bubbles from the needle, and ensures that the needle is open and working. The pen must be primed before each injection.

To prime the insulin pen, turn the dosage knob to the 2 units indicator. With the pen pointing upward, push the knob all the way. At least one drop of insulin should appear. You may need to repeat this step until a drop appears.

Limiting Yourself To Aerobic Forms Of Exercise

Any and all exercise is good for your health, stresses Port. Aerobic exercise is great for your heart and your waistline, for example. Weight-lifting and other muscle-strengthening exercises have a role to play, too, she says. Performing resistance exercise regularly helps to build and maintain lean muscle mass, which in turn improves sensitivity to all types of insulin, Port explains. Luckily, you dont even have to join a gym or lift heavy weights to get great benefits. Strengthen muscles at home with push-ups, hand weights, or simply walking up and down a flight of stairs repeatedly.

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Managing Dawn Phenomenon With Basal Insulin

The liver is a fascinating organ. It does about a hundred different things. One of its main functions is to store glucose and secrete it steadily into the bloodstream in order to provide our bodys vital organs and tissues with a constant source of fuel. This is what keeps your heart beating, brain thinking, lungs breathing and digestive system, uh, digesting, pretty much all the time.

In order to transfer the livers steady supply of glucose into the bodys cells, the pancreas normally secretes a small amount of insulin into the bloodstream every couple of minutes. This is called basal insulin. Not only does basal insulin ensure a steady energy source for the bodys cells, it also keeps the liver from dumping out too much glucose all at one. Too little basal insulin, or a complete lack of insulin, would result in a sharp rise in blood sugar levels.

So, you might say that basal insulin and the liver are in equilibrium with each other. The basal insulin should match the livers secretion of glucose throughout the day and night. In the absence of food, exercise and rapid-acting/mealtime insulin, the basal insulin should hold the blood sugar level nice & steady.

The following figures illustrate the action profiles of various types of basal insulin programs.

Basal insulin supplied by NPH at bedtime

Basal insulin supplied by NPH in the morning and evening

Basal insulin supplied by glargine or detemir

Basal insulin supplied by Glargine or Detemir plus Evening NPH

How Do I Take Insulin

Long acting insulin – Lantus, Levemir, Abasaglar, Tresiba & Toujeo

Insulin is normally injected under the skin with a very small needle. It can also be taken with an insulin pen. Your doctor will teach you exactly how to inject insulin, but here are the basics:

Wash your hands.

Take the plastic cover off the insulin bottle and wipe the top of the bottle with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Pull back the plunger of the syringe, drawing air into the syringe equal to the dose of insulin that you are taking . Put the syringe needle through the rubber top of the insulin bottle. Inject air into the bottle by pushing the syringe plunger forward. Turn the bottle upside down.

Make sure that the tip of the needle is in the insulin. Pull back on the syringe plunger to draw the correct dose of insulin into the syringe .

Make sure there are no air bubbles in the syringe before you take the needle out of the insulin bottle. If there are air bubbles, hold the syringe and the bottle straight up, tap the syringe with your finger and let the air bubbles float to the top. Push on the plunger of the syringe to move the air bubbles back into the insulin bottle. Then withdraw the correct insulin dose by pulling back on the plunger.

Clean your skin with cotton dipped in alcohol . Grab a fold of skin and inject the insulin under the skin at a 90-degree angle . PICTURE 2.

When Should I Take Insulin

You and your doctor should discuss when and how you will take your insulin. Each persons treatment is different. Some people who use regular insulin take it 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. Some people who use rapid-acting insulin take it just before they eat.

Types of insulin:

Rapid-acting insulin starts working in about 15 minutes. It lasts for 3 to 5 hours.
Short-acting insulin starts working in 30 to 60 minutes and lasts 5 to 8 hours.
Intermediate-acting insulin starts working in 1 to 3 hours and lasts 12 to 16 hours.
Long-acting insulin starts working in about 1 hour and lasts 20 to 26 hours.
Premixed insulin is a combination of 2 types of insulin .