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What is insulin glulisine?

Insulin glulisine is a hormone that is produced in the body. It works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin glulisine is a faster-acting form of insulin than regular human insulin.

Insulin glulisine is used to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes in adults. It is usually given together with another long-acting insulin.

Insulin glulisine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Precautions

Instructions

Side-effects

Interactions

Precautions

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Before using insulin glulisine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including any oral (taken by mouth) diabetes medications.

Insulin glulisine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether insulin glulisine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not change the brand of insulin glulisine or syringe you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Your blood sugar may become dangerously low if you drink alcohol while using insulin glulisine.

Do not expose insulin glulisine to high heat. Throw the medication away if it becomes hotter than 98 degrees F.

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Instructions

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An insulin overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

Since insulin glulisine is used before meals, you may not be on a timed dosing schedule. Whenever you use insulin glulisine, be sure to eat a meal within 15 minutes. Do not use extra insulin glulisine to make up a missed dose.

It is important to keep insulin glulisine on hand at all times. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

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Side-effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of insulin allergy: itching skin rash over the entire body, wheezing, trouble breathing, fast heart rate, sweating, or feeling like you might pass out.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect of insulin glulisine. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, nausea, hunger, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, trouble concentrating, confusion, or seizure (convulsions). Watch for signs of low blood sugar. Carry a piece of non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar.

Insulin glulisine can also cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood). Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms such as dry mouth, increased thirst, increased urination, uneven heartbeats, muscle pain or weakness, leg pain or discomfort, or confusion.

Tell your doctor if you have itching, swelling, redness, or thickening of the skin where you inject insulin glulisine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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Interactions

Using certain medicines can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Tell your doctor if you use any of the following:

• clonidine (Catapres);
• reserpine;
• guanethidine (Ismelin); or
• beta-blockers such as albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin), atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), timolol (Blocadren), and others.

There are many other medicines that can increase or decrease the effects of insulin glulisine on lowering your blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

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