Hypoglycaemia
is the most frequent undesirable effect of insulin therapy that a
patient with diabetes may suffer. Severe hypoglycaemia may lead to
loss of consciousness, and in extreme cases, death. No specific
frequency for hypoglycaemia is presented, since hypoglycaemia is a
result of both the insulin dose and other factors e.g. a patient`s
level of diet and exercise.
Local
allergy in patients is common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10). Redness,
swelling, and itching can occur at the site of insulin injection.
This condition usually resolves in a few days to a few weeks. In some
instances, local reactions may be related to factors other than
insulin, such as irritants in the skin cleansing agent or poor
injection technique.
Systemic
allergy, which is very rare (< 1/10,000) but potentially more
serious, is a generalised allergy to insulin. It may cause rash over
the whole body, shortness of breath, wheezing, reduction in blood
pressure, fast pulse, or sweating. Severe cases of generalised
allergy may be life-threatening. In the rare event of a severe
allergy to Humulin, treatment is required immediately. A change of
insulin or desensitisation may be required.
Lipodystrophy
at the injection site is uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100).
Skin
and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Frequency “unknown”:
Cutaneous amyloidosis
Skin
and subcutaneous tissue disorders:
Lipodystrophy
and cutaneous amyloidosis may occur at the injection site and delay
local insulin absorption. Continuous rotation of the injection site
within the given injection area may help to reduce or prevent these
reactions.
Cases
of oedema have been reported with insulin therapy, particularly if
previous poor metabolic control is improved by intensified insulin
therapy.
Reference
Humulin
S (soluble insulin) 100 cartridge Summary of Product Characteristics
Humulin
S 100 vial Summary of Product Characteristics
Humulin
I (isophane insulin) 100 cartridge Summary
of Product Characteristics
Humulin
I 100 SPC KwikPen Summary
of Product Characteristics
Humulin
I 100 SPC vial Summary
of Product Characteristics
Humulin
M3 (30% soluble/70% isophane insulin) 100 cartridge Summary
of Product Characteristics
Humulin
M3 100 KwikPen Summary
of Product Characteristics
Humulin
M3 100 vial Summary
of Product Characteristics