Humulin 70/30 Inj, 3ml

Insulin lowers blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. Insulin inhibits lipolysis and proteolysis, and enhances protein synthesis. It facilitates the entry of glucose into cells, primarily muscle and adipose tissue, and promotes the conversion of glucose to glycogen for storage in the liver and muscle.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever)
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Some allergic reactions can be life-threatening, so it's essential to seek help right away.
Signs of low potassium levels, including:
+ Muscle pain or weakness
+ Muscle cramps
+ An irregular heartbeat
Thick skin, pits, or lumps at the injection site
Swelling in the arms or legs
Low blood sugar, which may cause:
+ Dizziness or fainting
+ Blurred vision
+ Mood changes
+ Slurred speech
+ Headache
+ Feeling sleepy or weak
+ Shaking
+ Fast heartbeat
+ Confusion
+ Hunger
+ Sweating
+ Seizures

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. If you have low blood sugar, follow the instructions you've been given, which may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. However, many people do not experience any side effects or only have mild ones. If you notice any of the following side effects or any other unusual symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical help:

Weight gain
Irritation at the injection site

This is not a comprehensive list of all possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, any of its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

This is not an exhaustive list of potential interactions. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss all of your medications, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural products, and vitamins, with your doctor and pharmacist. Additionally, share any health problems you have to ensure safe use of this medication.

To guarantee your safety, do not start, stop, or modify the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor. This precaution is vital to prevent potential interactions and ensure the effectiveness of your treatment regimen.

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.

Be aware that this drug can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, permanent brain damage, and even death if not treated promptly. Discuss this risk with your doctor to understand how to manage it.

Additionally, this medication can cause low blood potassium (hypokalemia), which, if left untreated, may result in abnormal heart rhythms, severe breathing difficulties, and potentially death. Consult your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

Until you understand how this medication affects you, avoid driving and other activities that require your full attention. Certain diabetes medications, such as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone, may increase the risk of heart failure, especially when used with insulin. If you are taking one of these medications, discuss this risk with your doctor.

Ensure you have the correct insulin product and understand how to measure and prepare your dose, as insulin products come in various containers, including vials, cartridges, and pens. If you have any questions, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Be aware that stress, such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery, can make it more challenging to control your blood sugar levels. Changes in physical activity, exercise, or diet can also impact your blood sugar control.

Wear a medical alert identification to ensure prompt care in case of an emergency. Monitor your blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor and undergo blood tests as scheduled to ensure your treatment plan is working effectively.

Do not drive if you have experienced low blood sugar, as this can increase your risk of being involved in an accident. Consult your doctor before consuming alcohol or using products containing alcohol.

Adhere to the diet and exercise plan recommended by your doctor to maintain optimal blood sugar control. Never share your insulin product, including pens, cartridge devices, needles, or syringes, with another person, even if the needle has been changed, as this can transmit infections.

If you are 65 or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, as you will need to discuss the potential benefits and risks to you and your baby.

• Beta-blockers (may mask symptoms of hypoglycemia, prolong recovery from hypoglycemia)
• Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) - e.g., pioglitazone, rosiglitazone (increased risk of fluid retention and heart failure when co-administered with insulin)
• Alcohol (can potentiate hypoglycemic effect)
• Certain atypical antipsychotics (e.g., clozapine, olanzapine) (may cause hyperglycemia)

• Oral antidiabetic agents (sulfonylureas, metformin, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors) (increased risk of hypoglycemia)
• Corticosteroids (may increase blood glucose, requiring higher insulin doses)
• Diuretics (thiazide and loop diuretics) (may cause hyperglycemia)
• Sympathomimetics (e.g., decongestants, bronchodilators) (may increase blood glucose)
• Niacin (may increase blood glucose)
• Protease inhibitors (may affect glucose metabolism)
• Salicylates (e.g., aspirin in high doses) (may enhance hypoglycemic effect)
• ACE inhibitors (may enhance hypoglycemic effect)
• Somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide) (may affect insulin secretion and glucose levels)

• Certain antidepressants (MAOIs, SSRIs) (may affect glucose metabolism)
• Thyroid hormones (may affect glucose metabolism)

• Hypoglycemia: sweating, shakiness, dizziness, confusion, hunger, irritability, headache, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, weakness, slurred speech, seizures, unconsciousness.
• Hyperglycemia: increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, blurred vision, headache, nausea, vomiting, fruity breath odor (ketoacidosis).

Insulin is the preferred treatment for diabetes in pregnancy (pre-existing or gestational diabetes) due to its efficacy and safety profile. It does not cross the placenta in significant amounts. Close monitoring of blood glucose is essential.

Insulin is compatible with breastfeeding. It is a large protein molecule and is not excreted into breast milk in clinically significant amounts. Insulin requirements may change during lactation.

Dosing must be highly individualized and adjusted frequently based on growth, pubertal status, activity levels, and carbohydrate intake. Close monitoring for hypoglycemia is crucial, especially in younger children who may not recognize symptoms. Education of parents/caregivers is vital.

Older adults may be more susceptible to hypoglycemia due to impaired renal/hepatic function, polypharmacy, and reduced counter-regulatory responses. Dosing should be conservative, and glycemic targets may be less stringent to avoid hypoglycemia. Close monitoring of blood glucose and renal function is important.

• Humulin 70/30 is a fixed-ratio combination; it cannot be adjusted for its individual components. If a patient needs more rapid-acting or more intermediate-acting insulin, a different regimen (e.g., basal-bolus) may be more appropriate.
• Always inspect the vial for clarity (Regular insulin should be clear, NPH should be cloudy). Humulin 70/30 should be uniformly cloudy after gentle mixing.
• Gently roll the vial between palms 10 times and invert 10 times immediately before drawing up the dose to ensure uniform suspension of NPH.
• Administer 30-45 minutes before a meal to allow the Regular insulin component to start working.
• Educate patients on proper injection technique, site rotation, and safe disposal of needles/syringes.
• Stress the importance of consistent meal times and carbohydrate intake to match the insulin's action profile.
• Patients should always have a source of fast-acting sugar readily available to treat hypoglycemia.

• Basal insulins (e.g., insulin glargine, insulin detemir, insulin degludec)
• Bolus/prandial insulins (e.g., insulin aspart, insulin lispro, insulin glulisine, insulin regular)
• Oral antidiabetic agents (e.g., metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists)
• Non-insulin injectable agents (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists, amylin analogs)

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor promptly. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so it's a good idea to check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't hesitate to discuss them with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide detailed information about the overdose, including the substance taken, the amount, and the time it occurred.