Proper Use
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
When you start using this medicine, it is very important that you check your blood sugar often, especially before and after meals and at bedtime. This will help lower the chance of having very low blood sugar.
A nurse or other trained health professional may give you this medicine. You may also be taught how to give your medicine at home. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
Always double-check both the concentration (strength) of your insulin and your dose. Concentration and dose are not the same. The dose is how many units of insulin you will use. The concentration tells how many units of insulin are in each milliliter (mL), such as 100 units/mL (U-100), but this does not mean you will use 100 units at a time.
This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Each package of insulin degludec contains a patient information sheet. Read this sheet carefully and make sure you understand:
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How to prepare the medicine.
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How to inject the medicine.
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How to dispose of syringes, needles, and injection devices.
This medicine is given as a shot under the skin of your stomach, upper arm, or thighs. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections.
Since insulin degludec lowers the blood glucose over 24 hours, it is best to use it at about the same time every day.
Check the liquid in the FlexTouch® pen or vial. It should be clear and colorless. Do not use it if it looks cloudy, thick, or discolored, or if it has particles in it.
Use a new needle for the prefilled pen each time you give yourself an injection. Always remove and throw the needle after each injection from the pen. Store it without a needle attached.
Follow carefully the special meal plan your doctor gave you. This is the most important part of controlling your condition, and is necessary if the medicine is to work properly. Also, exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
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For injection dosage form (solution):
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For Type 1 diabetes:
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Adults and children 1 year of age and older—Dose is based on your blood sugar and must be determined by your doctor.
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Children up to 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
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For Type 2 diabetes:
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Adults and children 1 year of age and older—Dose is based on your blood sugar and must be determined by your doctor.
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Children up to 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
If you missed a dose, make sure that there are at least 8 hours between doses.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Unopened prefilled pen or vial: Store in the refrigerator. You may also store the medicine at room temperature for 56 days. Protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not use the medicine if it has been frozen.
Opened prefilled pen or vial: Store in the refrigerator. You may store the medicine at room temperature, away from direct heat and light. Use within 56 days. Throw away any opened pen or vial away after 56 days, even if there is still insulin in it.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024
Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.