humulin 70 30

Humulin 70/30 contains a combination of insulin isophane and insulin regular. Insulin isophane and insulin regular are man-made forma of a hormone that is produced in the body. It works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Humulin 70/30 is an intermediate-acting insulin.

Humulin 70/30 is used to treat diabetes.

Humulin 70/30 may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

Do not use Humulin 70/30 if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect of Humulin 70/30. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, hunger, sweating, pale skin, irritability, dizziness, feeling shaky, or trouble concentrating. 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.

Before using Humulin 70/30?

Do not use Humulin 70/30 if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

To make sure you can safely use Humulin 70/30, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially oral diabetes medications such as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (which are sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medications while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

FDA pregnancy category B. Humulin 70/30 is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

It is not known whether insulin isophane and insulin regular passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Humulin 70/30?

Use Humulin 70/30 exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use Humulin 70/30 in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests at your doctor"s office.

Humulin 70/30 is injected under the skin. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Use a different place on your stomach, thigh, or upper arm each time you give the injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Shake the insulin vial (bottle) several times to thoroughly mix the Humulin 70/30 before each use. Shake the mixture until it looks cloudy or milky.

Do not use Humulin 70/30 if it has clumps or white particles in it after mixing, or if the white substance remains at the bottom of the vial. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Use a disposable needle only once, then throw away in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Never share a Humulin 70/30 injection pen or cartridge with another person. Sharing injection pens or cartridges can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, pale skin, irritability, dizziness, feeling shaky, or trouble concentrating. Always keep a source of sugar with you in case you have low blood sugar. Sugar sources include fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, and non-diet soda. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use a glucagon injection. Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to use it.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, and weight loss.

Check your blood sugar carefully during times of stress, travel, illness, surgery or medical emergency, vigorous exercise, or if you drink alcohol or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your dose needs may also change. Do not change Humulin 70/30 dose or dosing schedule without your doctor"s advice.

Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you have diabetes, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are diabetic.

Storing unopened Humulin 70/30 vials or injection pens: Keep in the carton and store in a refrigerator, protected from light. Throw away any insulin not used before the expiration date on the Humulin 70/30 label.

Storing Humulin 70/30 after your first use: Keep "in-use" vials, injection pens, or prefilled syringes at cool room temperature, protected from heat and sunlight. In-use insulin is only stable for a certain number of days or weeks. Throw away the medicine after the number of days or weeks shown in the storage directions provided with your insulin.

Do not freeze Humulin 70/30, and throw away the medication if it has become frozen.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra Humulin 70/30 to make up the missed dose.

It is important to keep Humulin 70/30 on hand at all times. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

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.

What should I avoid?

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

Avoid drinking alcohol. Your blood sugar may become dangerously low if you drink alcohol while using Humulin 70/30.

Humulin 70/30 side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Humulin 70/30: itching skin rash over the entire body, wheezing, trouble breathing, fast heart rate, sweating, or feeling like you might pass out.

Call your doctor at once if you have shortness of breath, swelling in your hands or feet, or rapid weight gain (especially if you are taking an oral diabetes medication).

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect of insulin. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, hunger, sweating, pale skin, irritability, dizziness, feeling shaky, or trouble concentrating. 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.

Tell your doctor if you have itching, swelling, redness, or thickening of the skin where you inject Humulin 70/30.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Humulin 70/30?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Humulin 70/30, especially:

• aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto Bismol);

• birth control pills;

• a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);

• oral diabetes medications;

• steroids (prednisone and others);

• sulfa drugs (Bactrim, SMZ-TMP, and others); or

• thyroid medicine.

This list is not complete and many other medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin on lowering your blood sugar. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.