Insulin Regular - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Who should not use insulin regular?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use insulin regular.

• Insulin regular
• Humulin R
• Myxredlin
• Novolin R
• ReliOn
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific insulin regular products they stock.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Insulin regular should not be used when you have low blood sugar. Be familiar with the symptoms of low blood sugar, including dizziness, sweating, confusion, and shakiness. Ask your health care provider about your blood sugar levels and when to check them.

What should I know about insulin regular before using it?

Do not use insulin regular unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed. Any changes in your insulin regimen can increase your risk of having high or low blood sugar. Follow all instructions from your health care provider, including how often to check your blood sugar.

Do not share insulin regular with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them. Do not reuse or share needles or syringes with another person because you may get a serious infection. Always use a new needle or syringe for each injection.

Keep insulin regular out of the reach of children. Since this medicine may be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

This medicine is injected under the skin. There are multiple forms of insulin regular available. Read and follow the instructions for the product you have and make sure you understand how to prepare and use it properly. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

If you are using multiple insulin products, accidentally mixing them up and using the wrong insulin or the wrong dose can cause low blood sugar. Always check the label on your insulin products before using them to make sure you are using the correct insulin and dose. Call your health care provider right away if you have any symptoms of low blood sugar.

Do not use the same exact spot for each injection of insulin regular. This can increase your risk of having pits or lumps where the medicine is injected. Do not inject where your skin is thickened, lumpy, bruised, tender, hard, or damaged. 

Insulin regular can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how insulin regular affects you.

What should I tell my health care provider before using insulin regular?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if insulin regular is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Insulin regular may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using insulin regular, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Kidney or liver problems 
• Heart problems (including heart failure)
• Unable to tell when you have low blood sugar

Diet and Lifestyle Changes. Tell your health care provider if you have any changes in your diet, level of physical activity, or illnesses. These may affect the amount of insulin regular you need.

Pregnancy. Insulin regular has not been shown to cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use insulin regular while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of harm to a mother and fetus. Talk with your health care provider about the best way to manage your blood sugar.

Breastfeeding. Insulin regular may pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use insulin regular while breastfeeding.