Insulin Prescription
Being prescribed with insulin can be daunting, this Diabetes.co.uk section aims to answer insulin prescription questions. If you cannot find the answers that you need here, please ask a question in the Diabetes.co.uk Forum.
Diabetics in the UK who require insulin are usually get a prescription, rather than buying insulin, as is the case in some countries. Insulin prescription is usually given to type 1 diabetics shortly after diagnosis, but type 2 diabetics can require an insulin prescription if diet and exercise cannot control their blood sugar levels adequately. In the UK , there should be no need for diabetics to buy insulin, but nevertheless there are a variety of insulin-related products on the market, including insulin pumps, insulin pens, wallets for insulin storage and much more.
For more insulin information, please see:
Common insulin brands include Iletin, Novolin, Humulin, Humalog and Apidra. For more information about insulin types, please see:
Why are diabetics given insulin on prescription?
Insulin is either prescribed to type 1 diabetics when their bodies cannot naturally regulate blood sugar levels. When a healthy diet and regular exercise cannot correct blood sugar levels, insulin is prescribed. Using the links above, you can explore what insulin is.
Diabetics either do not make enough insulin, or they cannot use the insulin that is available. Type 1 diabetics require insulin for life and will need a regular prescription to keep their blood sugar levels stable.
