What is this medication for?
Insulin is a naturally-occurring hormone made by the pancreas that helps your body use or store the glucose (sugar) it gets from food. For people with diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin to meet the body's requirements, or the body cannot properly use the insulin that is made. As a result, glucose cannot be used or stored properly and accumulates in the bloodstream. Insulin injected under the skin helps to lower blood glucose levels. Insulin glulisine is used to treat adults and children with diabetes mellitus.
Having good control of blood glucose levels is the key to reducing the risk of complications of diabetes (e.g., kidney disease, eye problems, nerve problems).
There are many different types of insulin and they are absorbed at different rates and work for varying periods of time. Insulin glulisine is a rapid-acting insulin. It takes 5 minutes to begin working after the injection, has its maximum effects between 30 and 90 minutes, and stops working after 2 to 4 hours.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you are not sure why you are using this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
Your required dose of insulin depends on how much natural insulin your pancreas is producing and how well your body is able to use the insulin. Your doctor or diabetes educator will determine the appropriate dose for you according to various lifestyle factors and the blood glucose values obtained while monitoring your blood glucose.
Your dose of insulin should be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) or used in an insulin pump exactly as instructed by your doctor or diabetes educator. Insulin glulisine may also be given by infusion into one of your veins by a health care professional only. The dose of insulin is measured in units (U). Each mL of insulin contains 100 U.
Check the label to make sure you have the correct insulin type. This is especially important if you also take long-acting insulin.
Inject insulin glulisine into the skin of your upper arm, thigh, or stomach area. Do not inject insulin glulisine into a vein or into a muscle. Change injection sites within the area you choose with each dose. Do not inject into the exact same spot for each injection.
When insulin glulisine is injected under the skin, it should be given within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal. Longer-acting insulins are often used along with insulin glulisine to cover the periods of time between doses of insulin glulisine. There are many variations of insulin dosing. To reduce irritation at the place of injection, allow insulin glulisine to reach room temperature before injecting.
Insulin glulisine should be clear and colorless. Do not use the insulin if you notice anything unusual in the appearance of the solution such as cloudiness, discoloration, or clumping.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The timing of insulin with respect to your meals is crucial to keeping blood glucose under control. Do not inject a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Keep unopened insulin glulisine in the refrigerator until needed and use it before the expiration date on the label. Never allow insulin to freeze. Open vials can be refrigerated for up to 28 days. Open vials may also be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days as long as the temperature is not greater than 77°F (25°C). Opened cartridge systems should not be refrigerated but should be kept at room temperature for no more than 28 days, as long as the temperature is not greater than 77°F (25°C).
Insulin must not be exposed to extremely hot temperatures or to sunlight. Keep insulin out of the reach of children. Insulin sets (reservoirs, tubing, and catheters) used with insulin pumps, and the insulin within them, should be discarded after no more than 2 days of use or after exposure to temperatures that are greater than 98.6°F (37°C).
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not use this medication if you:
- are allergic to insulin or any ingredients of the medication
- have hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)