Insugen 30/70 Refil 100iu Cartridge Of 3ml Suspension For Injection

Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection is a combination of two medicines, insulin isophane which is a prolonged-acting and human insulin which is a short-acting insulin. This combination acts by providing a fast as well as longer duration effect, thus helps to maintain consistent blood sugar levels. Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection is used along with other blood sugar-lowering medicines in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

This medicine helps to maintain optimum blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Insulin shall be injected at least 15 mins before or within 20 mins of starting the meal always. You should never skip the meal or the dose of insulin.

It is advised to keep on rotating the site of insulin administration. While on this Suspension For Injection, it is recommended to keep sugar candy or glucose handy as it has decreased blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) as it common side effect. However, if you experience these symptoms quite often, contact your doctor he might change the dose of this medicine.

Dosage

Overdose

• Excess of Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection will lead to low blood sugar levels, called hypoglycemia. You may experience symptoms like dizziness, fainting, sweating and tremors.
• If you have the blood glucometer with you, test immediately and confirm blood glucose levels.
• Whether you test your levels or not, it is important to take some glucose water/juice/eat sugar or chocolates immediately and then rush to your doctor.

Missed a Dose

• A missed dose may lead to high blood sugar levels which can cause symptoms like feeling thirsty, excessive urination, loss of appetite, drowsiness, a fruity smell from breath, etc.
• If you have missed taking any dose of Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection, take it as soon as you remember. If it's time for your next dose then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule.
• Do not take a double dose of this medicine to compensate for the missed one as taking double doses can cause a drastic fall in blood glucose which can be dangerous.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

• Insulin is a crucial hormone that allows the entry of blood glucose into each cell of the body. Inside the cell, this glucose is used as fuel.
• In type 1 diabetes mellitus, the body fails to produce adequate insulin and this leads to glucose accumulating in the blood and causes high blood glucose.
• This medicine lowers blood sugars by stimulating glucose uptake by cells, tissue and muscles, especially by skeletal muscles and fat and by inhibiting glucose production by the liver.

Directions for Use

• Take Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection as per the technique suggested by your doctor or nurse.
• This injection is to be taken under the skin of the thigh or upper arm or abdomen.
• Do not take this injection in the vein or in muscles.
• Pull a skin, fold up to take this injection.
• Wait for at least 6 seconds before removing the needle from the site of injection.
• Always rotate the site of injection, do not take concurrent injections at the same site.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection during pregnancy?

Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection can be used during pregnancy if your doctor recommends it. However, close monitoring of blood sugar levels is suggested as the dose requirements may change with each trimester of pregnancy.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection while breastfeeding?

Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection is usually safe during breastfeeding. Thus, it can be taken while you are nursing an infant.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection?

• Insulin is known to cause low blood sugar levels and can impair your driving abilities.
• Always keep sugar or a bar of chocolate in your car with you while driving.
• In case you experience any of the symptoms of low blood glucose levels like dizziness, drowsiness, visual disturbances and sweating, stop driving immediately and have sugar/ juice.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection?

• It is advisable not to consume alcohol when you are taking Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection as it interferes with the way insulin works.
• Consumption of alcohol may lead to an increased risk of both low blood glucose level and high blood glucose level.
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol while taking insulin.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You have recurrent low blood sugar levels.
• Be very careful about symptoms of low blood sugar like sweating, anxiety, fast heartbeats, headache, intense hunger, restlessness, dizziness, irritability. If you experience these, immediately have sugar (Do not consume artificial sweeteners). Eat something as soon as possible. Do not take insulin in such a scenario. If the symptoms persist, seek emergency medical help.
• You have frequent fever and infections.
• You have diseases related to the liver and kidney.
• You have thyroid disorders.
• You are switching to a different insulin medicine brand.
• You have pain, itching and swelling at the injection site, you should continuously change the site of injection.
• Avoid doing heavy exercise.
• You are planning to change your diet preferences.
• You should always carry a sugar candy with you.
• You are taking insulin but not taking adequate meals, your blood glucose can drop drastically.

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to insulin or any other ingredients of Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection.
• If you are having hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level).

Side effects

• Low blood sugar (Hypoglycaemia)
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Tiredness
• Feeling hungry
• Visual disturbances
• Headache
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Pale skin
• Skin rashes
• Pain, redness, swelling at the site of injection

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• You may have symptoms of low blood sugar if you are taking other medicines for diabetes, depression (fluoxetine), medicines for fever and pain (salicylates), ramipril, lisinopril.
• You may have high blood sugar if you are taking oral contraceptives, thiazide, steroids, thyroxine, medicines used to treat severe diarrhoea and abnormal growth of body organs like octreotide, lanreotide.
• If you are taking the medicine pioglitazone to treat diabetes, be cautious, as some cases of heart attack and heart failure have been reported.
• Some medicines block your body's response to low blood sugar, so you may not experience symptoms like a headache, hunger pangs, sweating, anxiety when your blood sugar drops. This can lead to a serious fall in blood sugar. Inform your doctor if you are on medicines like Beta-blockers (Metoprolol, Propranolol, Atenolol), Clonidine, Guanethidine and Reserpine.

Interactions with food items

• Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection is to be taken 15 mins before meals or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.
• Maintaining a constant meal pattern is advisable when you are taking insulin.
• Avoid skipping or delaying meals when you are taking insulin.

Storage and disposal

• Store it between 2°C to 8°C in the refrigerator.
• Do not freeze it.
• Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
• Do not open the carton of vials to protect it from light.
• Any unused portion should not be stored and should be appropriately discarded.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What food items I should avoid, as I'm a diabetic?

• Avoid maida, white bread, noodles, corn flakes, poori, biryani, naan, fried rice, etc.
• Avoid seetaphal, mango, jack fruit, fruit salads with ice cream, fruit-based desserts.
• Avoid cheese, milkshakes, ice creams.
• Try to avoid pork, beef, soft drinks, sugarcane juice, sweetened health drinks and beverages.

Can I stop taking Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection if I am feeling uncomfortable after taking this medicine?

No, you can not stop taking your insulin without speaking with a doctor. It may lead to high blood sugar levels and may worsen your disease condition and land you in complications. In case of side effects or discomforts, talk to your doctor. You may need a dose adjustment.

Why should I always change the site for taking Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection?

Taking Insugen Refil Suspension For Injection at the same site may lead to a lump formation, local irritation and itching. Thus it is advisable not to take injections at the same site or maintain a gap of at least one day.

What other lifestyle modifications I need to consider to manage diabetes?

• Diet should include chapatis, multigrain bread, puffed rice with vegetables, sprouts, roasted grams, plain cooked daal, soups, steamed vegetables, cooked vegetables with less oil, Jamun, orange, guava, apple, watermelon, papaya, cow’s milk, curd, thin buttermilk, fish (grilled, baked or steamed), peanuts, cashew nuts and walnuts (handful).
• Limit sugar intake.
• A brisk walk daily for 30 minutes.
• Exercise regularly.
• Monitor your blood glucose regularly.
• Take your anti-diabetic medication on time.

I experience low blood sugar levels often, what could be the possible reasons?

• Risk factors for developing low blood glucose levels include taking too much insulin, not taking adequate meals or missing meals, too much alcohol consumption, a fever and too much exercise.
• Some medicines, when used with insulin can result in such episodes like other diabetes medicine glimepiride, medicines used for fever and pain (salicylates), ramipril, etc.
• Report to your doctor about these episodes. You may need a dose of adjustment.