If you have recently been prescribed insulin, or have switched to a new type of insulin, you may be concerned about the side effects.
You might also be experiencing side effects and not know where they are coming from.
Similarly, you may be looking for information for a friend or family member.
What are the side effects of insulin?
Insulin side effects amongst diabetics are rare, but when they do occur, allergic reactions can be severe and can pose a significant risk to health.
What do I do if I have an adverse reaction to my insulin?
If you experience mild allergic reactions such as swelling, itching or redness around the injection site, experts advise diabetics to consult their GPs. Similarly, sustained nausea and vomiting are signs of insulin allergy.
How do I know if my insulin is working?
When taking insulin, diabetics are advised by experts to regularly check blood glucose levels using testing kits.
If blood glucose tests show fluctuating or above-average blood sugar levels, diabetes is not being properly controlled and insulin is not working.
Avoiding infection when taking insulin
When taking insulin, try to avoid infection by using disposable needles and syringes, and sterilising any reusable equipment.
Do some drugs interact with insulin?
Some drugs are known to interact with insulin, and diabetics should be aware of this list. Your GP or physician should provide detailed information of how any extra drug affects insulin.
Some medications that are known to influence insulin are shown below, but diabetics should consult their GP for further information:
- ACE inhibitors – Accupril and Lotensin
- Anabolic steroids – Anadrol-50
- Appetite suppressants – Tenuate
- Aspirin
- Beta-blocking blood pressure medicines – Tenormin and Lopressor
- Diuretics – Lasix and Dyazide
- Epinephrine (EpiPen)
- Estrogens – Premarin
- Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
- Major tranquilizers – Mellaril and Thorazine
- MAO inhibitors (antidepressants Nardil and Parnate)
- Niacin (Nicobid)
- Octreotide (Sandostatin)
- Oral contraceptives
- Oral drugs for diabetes – Diabinese and Orinase
- Phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Steroid medications – prednisone
- Sulfa antibiotics – Bactrim and Septra
- Thyroid medications – Synthroid
If you cannot find the answers that you need here, please ask a question in the Diabetes Forum
