Insulin injections have been around for a long time and provide one of the few medical treatment options for people with diabetes. Insulin injections come in several forms, depending on the route of administration and the duration of action. According to the Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine, current options for injectable insulin include a pump, which provides a constant flow of insulin, and short, intermediate, and long-acting insulin injections. While longer acting insulin medications can provide a steady blood insulin level throughout the day, people with diabetes may also need short-acting insulin injections to lower their blood sugar after meals.
Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar is the most common, and most dangerous, side effect of insulin injections, according to Drugs.com. Symptoms of low blood sugar can be mild, such as a feeling of lightheadedness, but can also be severe. In extreme cases, low blood sugar can even lead to coma and death. Other symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, confusion and rapid breathing. Loss of consciousness is a less common, but severe symptom of low blood sugar.
Local Reaction
Because the medicine is administered by the use of a needle, people can develop side effects to the injection site. As the medicine enters the tissues under the skin, it can cause local inflammation and irritation. According to the Mayo Clinic, patients can develop pain, itching or redness at the site of the insulin injection.
Seizures
Although rare, seizures are a serious side effect of insulin injections. According to Drugs.com, people taking insulin injections can develop seizures that may lead to unconsciousness and even a coma. The seizures likely develop due to metabolic changes in brain cells due to the insulin. A person who develops a seizure after taking insulin needs immediate medical attention.
Confusion
People taking insulin injections can develop confusion as one of the side effects. The Mayo Clinic describes the sensation as similar to "being drunk." Low glucose levels in brain cells are likely the cause of that sensation. The feeling may also be accompanied by blurred vision, dizziness, headache and cold sweats.
References
- "Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine"; Marc Sabatine; 2007
- Drugs.com: Insulin
- Mayo Clinic: Glargine Insulin
