HUMULIN - Medsafe

1 HUMULIN . CARTRIDGES. Biosynthetic Human Insulin (rbe). Consumer Medicine Information What is in this leaflet site, blood flow, temperature and level of physical activity. This leaflet answers some common Your doctor may tell you to use a questions about HUMULIN . What HUMULIN is short acting human insulin such as used for HUMULIN R in combination with a It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the longer acting human insulin such as HUMULIN is used to reduce high place of talking with your doctor or HUMULIN NPH. blood sugar (glucose) levels in pharmacist. patients with diabetes mellitus. The abbreviation "rbe" indicates the The information in this leaflet was method of genetic engineering used Diabetes is a condition in which your last updated on the date shown on the to manufacture the insulin.

2 Pancreas does not produce enough final page. More recent information insulin to control your blood sugar This medicine is not addictive. on this medicine may be available. level. Extra insulin is therefore This medicine is available only with Make sure you speak to your needed. a doctor's prescription. pharmacist, nurse or doctor to obtain There are two types of diabetes Ask your doctor if you have any the most up to date information on mellitus: questions about why this medicine this medicine. You can also Type 1 diabetes - also called juvenile has been prescribed for you. download the most up to date leaflet from The updated onset diabetes.

3 Leaflet may contain important Type 2 diabetes - also called maturity information about HUMULIN and its onset diabetes. use that you should be aware of. Before you use Patients with type 1 diabetes always HUMULIN . All medicines have risks and require insulin to control their blood benefits. sugar levels. When you must not use it Your doctor has weighed the risks Some patients with type 2 diabetes of you taking HUMULIN against may also require insulin after initial Do not use HUMULIN if: the benefits they expect it will have treatment with diet, exercise and 1. you have an allergy to: for you. tablets. any medicine containing insulin If you have any concerns about HUMULIN is identical to the insulin any of the ingredients listed at the using this medicine, ask your produced by the pancreas.

4 End of this leaflet. doctor or pharmacist. There are 3 different types of Some of the symptoms of an allergic Keep this leaflet with this HUMULIN cartridges: reaction may include: medicine. HUMULIN R. redness, swelling, rash and You may need to read it again. HUMULIN NPH itching at the injection site HUMULIN 30/70. rash, itching or hives on the skin Your doctor will tell you the type of shortness of breath HUMULIN that is best suited to you. wheezing or difficulty breathing The duration of action of the insulin swelling of the face, lips, tongue you inject will vary according to the or other parts of the body. type being used, the dose, injection HUMULIN CARTRIDGES 1.

5 The only time you would take this Tell your doctor if you are breast- be an increased risk of fluid medicine if you have an allergy to it, feeding or plan to breast-feed. retention and heart disease. is if your doctor has you on a Your doctor/pharmacist can discuss Tell your doctor about any other desensitisation program to minimise with you the risks and benefits medicines that you are taking. allergic reactions. involved. This is very important. Your doctor 2. you are experiencing low blood If you have not told your doctor will advise you if it is all right to sugar levels (a "hypo"). about any of the above, tell them keep taking them or if you should If you have a lot of hypos discuss before you start using HUMULIN .

6 Stop taking them. appropriate treatment with your Your doctor and pharmacist have doctor. Taking other medicines more information on medicines to be Do not use this medicine after the Tell your doctor or pharmacist if careful with or avoid while using this expiry date on the pack or if the you are taking any other medicine. packaging is torn or shows signs of medicines, including any that you tampering. get without a prescription from If it has expired or is damaged, return your pharmacy, supermarket or it to your pharmacist for disposal. health food shop. How to use HUMULIN . If you are not sure whether you Some medicines may affect the way HUMULIN works.

7 Your doctor, diabetes education should start using this medicine, nurse or pharmacist will have talk to your doctor. These include: shown you how to use HUMULIN . oral hypoglycaemic medicines Carefully follow all the directions. Before you start to use it that are used to treat type 2. Tell your doctor if you have any diabetes They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet. allergies to any other medicines, medicines that affect your foods, preservatives or dyes. Do not inject HUMULIN into a metabolism (corticosteroids such vein or muscle. Tell your doctor if you have or as prednisone, cortisone). have had any of the following Any change in dose or type of medicines used for oral medical conditions: contraception insulin should be made cautiously kidney problems and only under medical medicines used in thyroid supervision.

8 Liver problems replacement therapy If you change the type of insulin that overactive thyroid glands certain medicines used to treat you use, you may have to use more (hyperthyroidism) tuberculosis, such as isoniazid or less than before. This may happen overactive adrenal glands medicines such as aspirin or other with the first dose or over a period of (Cushing's Syndrome) salicylates time. enlargement of the face, hands certain medicines used to treat If you do not understand the and feet (acromegaly) depression instructions, ask your doctor or a tumour of the adrenal gland certain medicines used to treat pharmacist for help. (phaeochromocytoma) asthma, such as salbutamol or terbutaline How much to use fluid retention especially in the hands, ankles or feet some antibiotics Your doctor will tell you how much HUMULIN you need to use each heart disease.

9 Certain medicines used to treat day. Tell your doctor if you are high blood pressure or other heart conditions It is very important that you manage pregnant or plan to become your diabetes carefully. Too much or pregnant. certain medicines used to treat too little insulin can cause serious Pregnancy may make managing your people with growth disorders and effects. diabetes more difficult. Insulin needs tumours, such as octreotide usually decrease during the first three alcohol When to use it months of pregnancy and increase thiazolidinediones (TZDs), also during the last six months. Your Your doctor will tell you when to use used to treat type 2 diabetes; HUMULIN .

10 Doctor can discuss with you the risks when used with insulin there may and benefits involved. HUMULIN CARTRIDGES 2. How to use it the gauge is about 20 units. If Injecting a dose there is not enough for your dose, Choose a site for injection. Checking your HUMULIN . change the cartridge. cartridge Inject HUMULIN in the upper arms, 3. If you are using a cloudy insulin, thighs, buttocks or abdomen. Check the HUMULIN cartridge just before use, roll the before each preparation and Change the injection site so that cartridge/pen between the palms injection. Make sure you are using the same position is not used more 10 times and invert 10 times until the correct cartridge.