Precautions
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Some patients who use this medicine may make antibodies in their blood which may reduce how well this medicine or the leptin in the body works. This may lead to side effects such as infection, diabetes, or an increase in the amount of fat in the blood. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have these side effects while receiving this medicine.
Using this medicine may increase your risk of getting lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system). Talk to your doctor if you or your child have concerns about this risk.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may occur when this medicine is used together with insulin or a diabetes medicine. Symptoms of low blood sugar must be treated before they lead to unconsciousness (passing out). Different people may feel different symptoms of low blood sugar. It is important that you learn which symptoms of low blood sugar you usually have so that you can treat it quickly.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include anxiety, behavior change similar to being drunk, blurred vision, cold sweats, confusion, depression, difficulty in thinking, dizziness or lightheadedness, drowsiness, excessive hunger, fast heartbeat, headache, irritability or abnormal behavior, nervousness, nightmares, restless sleep, shakiness, slurred speech, and tingling in the hands, feet, lips, or tongue.
If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, eat glucose tablets or gel to relieve the symptoms. Also, check your blood for low blood sugar. Get to a doctor or a hospital right away if the symptoms do not improve. Someone should call for emergency help immediately if severe symptoms such as seizures or unconsciousness occur . Have a glucagon kit available, along with a syringe and needle, and know how to use it. Members of your household also should know how to use it.
If you or your child develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction (including anaphylaxis) to this medicine, check with your doctor as soon as possible.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without checking first with your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
This medicine mixed with bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI) contains benzyl alcohol, which may cause serious reactions in premature or low-birth-weight infants. Sterile water for injection (WFI) is recommended for use in newborn and premature infants. Discuss this with your doctor if you are concerned.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024
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