FAQs

Because you can’t take the therapy orally, it must be injected with a syringe, pump, or insulin pen.

The type of injection method you get prescription for will depend on your personal preference, your health status, and the type of insurance you have.

Before you start taking the therapy, your healthcare provider or a diabetes educator will teach you how to administer the injection on yourself or a loved one. You’ll also learn how much insulin you need.

Parts of the body that you can inject include:

• Upper arm

• Abdomen

• Thigh

• Buttocks

Some people only need to inject themselves once a day. Others will need to inject themselves several times a day and take other diabetes medication such as Metformin. Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine the right amount (units) of insulin required and whether you need rapid-acting, long-acting, or both. Most people need two up to three vials per month for optimal diabetes care. You can change the site location of your injection each time in order to prevent thickening of your skin, bruising or local infection.

Be careful not to inject it within two inches of your belly button. Your body won’t absorb it as well at this location.

People with low blood sugar, liver problems, decreased kidney function, and low amounts of potassium in the blood shouldn’t take this therapy. If you have these health problems, make sure to inform a healthcare provider about them. They will determine whether it’s safe to take and buy insulin and make the best recommendation for your condition.

The answer to this question depends on the type of therapy. For instance, rapid-acting insulins start working within 15 to 30 minutes after the injection, and its effects peak within 60 minutes while their length lasts two to four hours.

On the flip side, regular- or short-acting insulins takes 30 minutes to work but its effects last longer around three to six hours. The effects peak within two to three hours, however.

When it comes to intermediate-acting insulins, it takes around four hours to work, the effects peak in four to 12 hours whereas the duration is 12 to 18 hours. Long-acting insulins starts working within two hours and its duration is 24 hours, while ultra-long type starts working within six hours and its effects last 36 hours or longer.

Buy insulin your trusted healthcare provider recommends.

When taking this therapy you should avoid injecting it in the same exact place every time. Doing so could lead to lipodystrophy, the breakdown of fat under the skin, or the formation of lumps and indentations that obstruct the absorption of this hormone. For that reason, it is necessary to rotate injection sites, as many insulin manufacturers advise.

Additionally, avoid injecting it too deeply. Otherwise, it could enter the muscle, and the body could absorb it too quickly. Avoid waiting more than 15 minutes to eat after taking mealtime therapy.

Also, you should avoid an unhealthy diet, especially refined carbs. And most importantly, it is necessary to avoid taking it with certain medications to avoid interactions. It may interact with other antidiabetics, antidepressants, anti-hypertensive medications, some pain relievers, therapies for cholesterol, somatostatin analogs, protease inhibitors, some antibiotics, and others.

If you’re taking medications with which this therapy interacts, make sure to inform the healthcare provider beforehand.

This hormone helps blood sugar enter the cells, which then use it for energy. Plus, it sends a signal to the liver to store blood sugar for later use. When a person injects it, it helps move blood sugar out of the bloodstream into the cells. The cells use a portion of that sugar for energy, while the remainder is stored in the liver, muscles, and fat. As blood sugar moves to cells, its levels should return to normal.

It is not the same as sugar. Blood glucose (sugar) is the main sugar in your body. Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by beta cells of pancreatic islets. The main function of this hormone is to regulate blood sugar. Since both play an important role in diabetes, it’s easy to assume they’re the same. However, they are different things with entirely different functions.

Like other medications for the management of this lifelong condition, it usually requires a prescription. In some cases, patients can get it over the counter, but this is rare. While insulin prices have increased over the years and vary based on the insurance coverage, you can enroll in savings program specifically created to help people get therapy they need with cost savings. You can also connect with diabetes community to share experiences and learn more about different prices, pharmacies, and even get useful tips for better quality of life.

A healthcare provider issues a prescription to a patient with T1DM or T2DM. Besides standard appointments at a doctor’s office in a hospital or clinic, patients can also access doctors from websites and online platforms. This makes the whole process a lot faster and you can buy insulin easier, especially for patients with a busy lifestyles. The only thing necessary is to pick up your monthly supply at retail pharmacies close to you.

Healthcare providers usually recommend basal therapy, i.e., intermediate-acting and/or long-acting forms. The greatest advantage of these types of insulins is that they help regulate blood sugar levels throughout the day. The most common insulins in terms of strength in the United States are U-100, i.e., 100 units of the hormone per milliliter of fluid, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Yes. You can use an insulin pen. They usually have a cartridge filled with solution that you can insert into the pen and discard after all the medication has been used. The dose that you need can be dialed on the pen. The solution is injected through a needle, like a syringe.

Another method of administration is through an insulin pump. These pumps help you manage your complicated condition by giving you this hormone 24 hours a day. This is done through a catheter which is placed under your skin. The pump allows you to control the number of hormones your body gets.

This therapy is a must for people with T1DM. It may also be used for people who have T2DM whose blood sugar levels aren’t well-controlled by medication alone.

If you get diagnosed with diabetes, a healthcare team will help you create an insulin program that will help keep your blood sugar levels normal, along with setting you up with a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Many people with diabetes usually start out by taking two injections per day and gradually go up to three or four injections per day. They may take one or two types of insulin, depending on their blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Keeping track of your blood sugar levels over time can help you understand how exercise, stress, or different types of food can affect your levels. You can use this data to predict how your body will react to the therapy and you will have a better chance of avoiding episodes of hyperglycemia (high sugar levels) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).

There are a few factors that can affect how your blood sugar levels fluctuate, including:

• When and how much you exercise

• The type of foods you eat

• The injection site

• Time of day and frequency of injections

• Stress

• Illness