Category- Allopathy
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To manage type 1 and type 2 Diabetes mellitus for long term |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Stomach discomfort, gas, bloating 2. Mild diarrhea 3. Mild skin rash or itching. |
| Additional Information | 1. Take 15 to 30 minutes before meals to get maximum effect. 2. Take the medicine at a regular time daily. 3. This medicine should be stored in cold places only. 4. If you recently had vomiting or diarrhea, then taking this injection is not safe, and you should inform your doctor about your condition |
| Storage | 1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature. 2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture. 3. Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | Injected under the skin near the stomach. |
Insulin Uses
Insulin 40 iu/ml is used to manage type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus and belongs to the antidiabetic class of medicines.
Insulin side effects
More Common
- Redness, swelling around skin
- Hypersensitivity
Less Common
- Fall in blood glucose
- Peripheral edema (swelling)
How Insulin works
Insulin acts like a master key that helps sugar from food move out of the blood and into body cells for energy or storage. It also tells the liver to stop making extra sugar and helps fat and muscle store nutrients.
Safety Measures and Warning
Pregnancy
It is safe to take insulin in pregnancy
Breastfeeding
It is safe to take insulin during breastfeeding.
Kidney and Liver Problems
Patients with liver and kidney problems are more prone to get hypoglycemia due to improper excretion of insulin from the kidney, So, strict monitoring is required in patients with kidney and liver problems.
Insulin Interaction with Food Product
Alcohol and smoking can alter insulin action and blood glucose levels by affecting the liver and pancreas, sometimes causing dangerously low blood sugar, fainting, dizziness, or seizures.
Insulin Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking Insulin 40 iu/ml with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Insulin Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
(C₂₅₆H₃₈₁N₆₅O₇₇S₆)
Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take Insulin exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Overdose
It is not recommended to take more than 200 iu/ml of insulin per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like extreme drowsiness, confusion, low blood pressure, unconsciousness, sweating, and seizures. Immediately give the patient fruit or glucose-containing liquids and sugary foods to minimize the effects. If you face any of the severe effects, meet the doctor.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
Directions for use
- Take Insulin exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking Insulin without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take Insulin, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Insulin Summary
Neutral insulin is a man‑made form of the body’s natural sugar‑controlling hormone, used mainly in diabetes to bring down high blood sugar. Insulin acts like a key that lets sugar into cells for energy and tells the liver to stop making extra sugar. Its most common side effect is low sugar (hypoglycemia), which can cause sweating, shakiness, or dizziness; sometimes there may be mild skin reactions where it’s injected. Alcohol can make low sugar worse. It should be kept in the fridge (not frozen), protected from heat and light, and once opened it can stay at room temperature for about a month.
FAQ’s
Why is insulin not given orally?
Insulin cannot be given orally because stomach acid and digestive enzymes break it down like food protein, destroying its effect. That’s why it must be injected so it reaches the blood intact to lower sugar.
What are the uses of insulin 40 IU/ml?
Insulin 40 iu/ml is an antidiabetic, human-like insulin medicine and is used to control blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mainly.
What is insulin’s injection mechanism of action?
Insulin acts like a master key that helps sugar from food move out of the blood and into body cells for energy or storage. It also tells the liver to stop making extra sugar and helps fat and muscle store nutrients.
What are the side effects of insulin?
Its most common side effect is low sugar (hypoglycemia), which can cause sweating, shakiness, or dizziness; sometimes there may be mild skin reactions where it’s injected
Reference
- DiGiacinto J, Higuera V. Insulin: function, types, and how to use. [Internet]. Healthline. 2025 Apr 15 [cited 2025 Sep 23]. Available from.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Diabetes treatment: Using insulin to manage blood sugar [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2023 Aug 4 [cited 2025 Sep 23]. Available from.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 70678586, Insulin [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [cited 2025 Sep 23]. Available from.
- Stat Pearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Stat Pearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. Insulin [updated 2025 Jan 16; cited 2025 Sep 23]. Available from.
- Pope C. Insulin: uses, types, list of medications and more [Internet]. Drugs.com. 2023 Apr 14 [cited 2025 Sep 23]. Available from.
Authors
Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy affiliated to Andhra University and from his 3rd year of graduation itself he was working as a freelance Medical and Publication writer and having expertise in Systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices he also reviewed more than 100 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, Sage Journals and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in Pub Med, Scopus and Web of Science databases and received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published few systematic, narrative reviews and few chapters of international expertise.