An Introduction to the Side Effects of Regular Insulin
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
regular insulin (Humulin
® R, Novolin
® R). The most important side effect that can occur with regular
insulin is low blood sugar, although other side effects are also possible.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with regular insulin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of regular insulin side effects with you.)
Warning Signs of Serious Regular Insulin Side Effects
Some side effects with regular insulin are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. Some of the warning signs of these serious side effects include:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
- An unexplained rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Swelling of the mouth or throat
- Wheezing or other difficulty breathing
- Symptoms of low blood sugar, such as:
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Changes in behavior, such as irritability or mood swings
- Cold sweats
- Shakiness
- Difficulty speaking
- Loss of coordination
- Extreme hunger
- Blurry vision
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness.
Make sure those around you know how to recognize your particular signs of low blood sugar, since you may be too confused (due to low blood sugar) to recognize and adequately respond to low blood sugar. Different people may have different signs of low blood sugar.
