Velosulin BR

 
Generic Name: insulin regular

Brands: Humulin R, Iletin II Regular Pork, Insulin Purified Regular Pork, Novolin R, Velosulin BR

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What is the most important information I should know about Velosulin BR?

· Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which include shaking; nausea; headache; drowsiness; weakness; dizziness; fast heartbeat; sweating; pale, cool skin; anxiety; and difficulty concentrating. Carry a piece of candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.

· Follow any diet and exercise plan that you have developed with your doctor or nurse. Changes in what you eat or how much you exercise can change the amount of insulin that you need to control your blood sugar levels.

· Ask your doctor or nurse what to do if you are sick with a cold, flu, or fever. These illnesses may change your insulin requirements.

· Do not change the brand of Velosulin BR or syringe that you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Some brands of Velosulin BR and syringes are interchangeable, while others are not. Your doctor and/or pharmacist know which brands can be substituted for one another.

 

What is Velosulin BR?

· Insulin is a hormone naturally produced by the pancreas. Insulin enables the body to use the sugar in food as a source of energy. When the body does not produce enough insulin, or when the insulin produced by the body is not effective enough, the condition is called diabetes mellitus. This condition allows sugar levels in the blood to become very high. Diabetics must use man-made insulin or insulin that comes from pigs (which is very similar to human insulin) to lower these high blood sugar levels.

· Velosulin BR is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

· Velosulin BR may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Velosulin BR?

· Do not use Velosulin BR without first talking to your doctor if you are allergic to insulin or if you have intolerance to a certain Velosulin BR product.

· Before using Velosulin BR, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions or if you take other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements.

· Before using Velosulin BR, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

· Velosulin BR can usually be used during pregnancy and breast-feeding. It is not expected to be harmful to a baby. It is very important to control blood sugar levels during pregnancy and breast-feeding and insulin is often chosen as the treatment. Some types of insulin may be better than others for use during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Talk to your doctor about the use of insulin during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

 

How should I use Velosulin BR?

· Use Velosulin BR exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.

· If the insulin has been stored in the refrigerator, it can be warmed to room temperature before use.

· Do not use any insulin that is discolored, looks thick, has particles in it, or looks different from previous bottles, cartridges, or pens of Velosulin BR.

· Use only the approved delivery device(s) for cartridges or prefilled syringes of insulin.

· If you are mixing different types of insulins in the same syringe, follow your doctor's directions and always draw up the different insulins in the same order (usually the clear insulin first). This may help prevent a dosage error. Do not mix different insulins in the same syringe unless specifically directed to do so by your doctor. Some types of insulin should not be mixed.

· Change your injection sites exactly as directed by your doctor. Usually, you should not inject within 1 inch of the same site within 1 month.

· Never reuse a needle or syringe. Dispose of all needles and syringes in an appropriate, puncture-resistant disposal container.

· Do not change the insulin strength (e.g., U-100) or insulin type (e.g., regular, lispro, glargine, etc.) unless your doctor approves a change for you.

· Do not change the brand of Velosulin BR or syringe that you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Some brands of Velosulin BR and syringes are interchangeable, while others are not. Your doctor and/or pharmacist know which brands can be substituted for one another.

· Follow any diet and exercise plan that you have developed with your doctor or nurse. Changes in what you eat or how much you exercise can change the amount of insulin that you need to control your blood sugar levels.

· Ask your doctor or nurse what to do if you are sick with a cold, flu, or fever. These illnesses may change your insulin requirements.

· Wear some type of medical identification bracelet, necklace, or other alert tag to inform others that you have diabetes and that you require insulin in the case of an emergency.

· Your healthcare provider may recommend regular monitoring of blood sugar levels with blood or urine tests.

· Proper foot care, eye care, dental care, and overall proper health care are important for people with diabetes. Visit your doctor, dentist, eye doctor, and other heath care practitioners as recommended by your doctor.

· Store unopened vials and cartridges of Velosulin BR in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius). Do not store Velosulin BR in the freezer and do not allow it to freeze. Do not use Velosulin BR if it has been frozen. Throw away any expired Velosulin BR.

· Vials and cartridges of insulin can be kept unrefrigerated for up to 28 days, but should not be exposed to excessive heat or sunlight.

· Once punctured, the vial or cartridge of insulin in use, whether stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature, must be used within 28 days. Throw away any unused insulin 28 days after the vial is first punctured.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Follow your doctor's directions if you miss a dose of insulin. To prevent missed doses, be sure to always have enough insulin on hand, especially if you are going on vacation.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

· Symptoms of an insulin overdose reflect very low blood sugar levels and include headache, irregular heartbeat, increased heart rate or pulse, sweating, tremor, nausea, increased hunger, and anxiety.

 

What should I avoid while using Velosulin BR?

· Do not use alcohol without first talking to your doctor. It lowers blood sugar, and you may experience dangerously low blood sugar levels.

· Follow any diet and exercise plan that you have developed with your doctor or nurse. Changes in what you eat or how much you exercise can change the amount of insulin you need to control your blood sugar levels.

 

What are the possible side effects of Velosulin BR?

· Rarely, people have allergic reactions to insulin. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

· The side effects of insulin therapy result mostly from blood sugar levels that are either too high or too low. You should be familiar with the symptoms of both high and low blood sugar levels and know how to treat both conditions. Also, be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

· Low blood sugar may occur when too much insulin is used; when meals are missed or delayed; if you exercise more than usual; during illness, especially with vomiting or diarrhea; if you take other medications; after drinking alcohol; and in other situations.

· Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, has the following symptoms: shaking; nausea; headache; drowsiness; weakness; dizziness; fast heartbeat; sweating; pale, cool skin; anxiety; and difficulty concentrating.

· Keep sugary candy, fruit juice, or glucose tablets on hand to treat episodes of low blood sugar.

· Increased blood sugar may occur if not enough insulin is used, if you eat significantly more food than usual, if you exercise less than usual, if you take other medications, if you have a fever or other illness, and in other situations.

· Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, has the following symptoms: increased thirst, increased hunger, and increased urination.

· Monitor your blood sugar levels and ask your doctor how to adjust your insulin doses if your blood sugar levels are too high.

· Side effects may also occur at the site of injection. If the area becomes thickened, hard, or pitted, talk to your doctor before injecting at that site again.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Velosulin BR?

· Many drugs can interact with insulin or affect blood sugar levels. Do not take any other medicines prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist during treatment with insulin.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Velosulin BR written for health professionals that you may read.

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