Insulin Detemir (rDNA Origin) Injection

What is Insulin Detemir (rDNA Origin) Injection?

Insulin detemir is used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not produce insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). It is also used to treat people with type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) who need insulin to control their diabetes. Insulin detemir is a long-acting, man-made version of human insulin. It works by helping move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. It also stops the liver from producing more sugar.

How

Use a different site for each injection, about 1 inch away from the previous injection but in the same general area (for example, the thigh). Use all available sites in the same general area before switching to a different area (for example, the upper arm). Do not use the same injection site more often than once every month.

Wash your hands.

If you are using a new bottle, flip off the plastic cap, but do not remove the stopper.

Wipe the top of the bottle with an alcohol swab.

Pull back the plunger of the syringe until the top of the plunger is even with the dose your doctor told you to inject.

Push the needle through the rubber stopper on the bottle.

Push down on the plunger to inject the air into the bottle.

Turn the bottle upside down without removing the syringe.

Be sure the tip of the needle is under the liquid in the bottle. Slowly pull back on the plunger until the top of the plunger is even with the dose your doctor told you to inject.

While the needle is still in the bottle, check whether there are air bubbles in the syringe. If there are bubbles, hold the syringe upright and tap on it to push the bubbles to the top. Push the plunger up to move the bubbles out of the syringe, and then pull the plunger back down to the correct dose.

Remove the needle from the bottle and lay the syringe down so that the needle is not touching anything.

Use an alcohol pad to wipe the area where you plan to inject your medication.

Pinch up a large area of skin, or spread the skin flat with your hands.

Insert the needle into your skin. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to do this.

If you are using a syringe, push the plunger all the way down. If you are using a pen, follow the manufacturer's instructions for dispensing a dose.

Pull the needle out and press down on the spot for several seconds, but do not rub it.

Side Effects

redness, swelling, or itching at the site of the injection

changes in the feel of your skin, skin thickening (fat build-up), or a little depression in the skin (fat breakdown)

Insulin detemir may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

extreme thirst

frequent urination

extreme hunger

weakness

blurred vision

dry mouth

upset stomach and vomiting

shortness of breath

breath that smells fruity

decreased consciousness

shakiness

dizziness or lightheadedness

sweating

nervousness or irritability

sudden changes in behavior or mood

headache

numbness or tingling around the mouth

weakness

pale skin

hunger

clumsy or jerky movements

confusion

seizures

loss of consciousness

Precautions

Before using insulin detemir,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to insulin (Humulin, Iletin, Novolin, Velosulin, others) or any other medications.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril, (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); antihistamines; beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); clonidine (Catapres, Catapres-TTS); danazol (Danocrine); disopyramide (Norpace, Norpace CR); diuretics ('water pills'); fenofibrate (Lofibra, TriCor); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); gemfibrozil (Lopid); guanethidine (Ismelin); hormone replacement therapy; isoniazid (INH, Laniazid, Nydrazid); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithotabs); medications for asthma, colds, mental illness, and nausea; monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oral medications for diabetes; oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam 300); propoxyphene (Darvon); reserpine (Serpalan, Serpasil); salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (Tricosal, Trilisate), choline salicylate (Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Doan?s, others), and salsalate (Argesic, Disalcid, Salgesic); sulfa antibiotics; and thyroid medications. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had nerve damage caused by your diabetes or kidney or liver disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using insulin detemir, call your doctor.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using insulin detemir.

ask your doctor what to do if you get sick, experience unusual stress, plan to travel across more than two time zones, or change your exercise or activity schedule. These changes can affect your dosing schedule and the amount of insulin you will need.

Overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

seizure

loss of consciousness

confusion

What If I Forget

If you remember your dose shortly after the time you were supposed to take it, inject the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If some time has passed since your regular dosing time, call your doctor to find out whether you should inject the missed dose. Do not inject a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Storage

Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Dietary Restrictions

Alcohol may cause a decrease in blood sugar. Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are using insulin detemir.

Miscellaneous

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Other Uses

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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