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Your Insulin Doses - Getting Ready to Leave the Hospital

Blood Sugar Goal: ____________

 

My Testing Schedule

 

Meal

Before

2 Hours After

Breakfast

 

 

Lunch

 

 

Dinner

 

 

Bedtime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Doses    (Please be sure to confirm your final doses with the nurse or pharmacist.)

 

Breakfast

 

______ units of __________

 

______ units of __________

 

 

____ Take correction insulin if your blood glucose is higher than ______ mg/dL.

Lunch

 

______ units of __________

 

____ Take correction insulin if your blood glucose is higher than ______ mg/dL.

 

Evening Meal

 

______ units of __________

 

______ units of __________

 

 

____ Take correction insulin if your blood glucose is higher than ______ mg/dL.

Bedtime

 

______ units of __________

 

 

 

____ Take correction insulin if your blood glucose is higher than ______ mg/dL.

 

Key Points about Your Insulin

 

The chart below tells you more about each insulin you take. Onset means how long it takes to start to work. Peak means when it works at its best. Duration means how long it affects your blood sugars.

Insulin Name

Onset

Peak

Duration

Key Points

Novolog® (aspart)/ Humalog® (lispro)

5-15 minutes

1-2 hours

4-6 hours

Take within 10 minutes before or after eating.

Regular

30-60 minutes

2-4 hours

6-10 hours

Take within 30 minutes of eating.

NPH

1-2 hours

4-8 hours

10-20 hours

This insulin is cloudy. Always roll the bottle before using.

Glargine (Lantus®)

1-2 hours

None

24 + hours

Take at the same time each day. Never mix in the same syringe with any other insulin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes Once You Leave the Hospital

 

Many things can change once you go home. Your activity and diet may change. Your medications may change as well. All of these changes may affect how much insulin you need. Be sure to contact your doctor if your blood sugars are not within your goal range.

 

Insulin Expiration

 

Type of Insulin

Refrigerated or not, once opened, the insulin expires in

Pre-filled Insulin Pens
  • 70/30, 50/50, 75/25 (cloudy)
  • NPH  (cloudy)
  • Glargine, Regular, Humalog®, and Novolog® (clear)

*(do not refrigerate pens in use)

10 days

14 days

28 days

 

Insulin Cartridges
  • 70/30, 50/50, 75/25 (cloudy)
  • NPH (cloudy)
  • Regular, Novolog®, and Humalog® (clear)

*(do not refrigerate pens in use)

7 days

7 days

28 days

Insulin Vials
  • Detemir (Levemir®)  
  • All other types of insulin

 

42 days

28 days

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 10/28/2008

Copyright © 10/24/2008 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5986

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