Managing your blood sugar can be a balancing act. It involves keeping track of a lot of things, such as your meals, your exercise routine, and your diabetes medication. It sounds like a lot, but most people find that it may get easier as they get into the swing of things.
To stay on top of diabetes, it's important to keep track of your blood sugar levels at home with a glucose meter. Most companies that make blood glucose meters offer them free to patients who ask, so if you don't have one, ask your healthcare professional for a meter recommendation, and check online to see how to get one.
Whenever you check your blood sugar levels with a meter, write down the results in your blood sugar diary. This helps you and your healthcare provider see how you are progressing.
To help manage your blood sugar, download our blood sugar diary.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) suggests the following blood sugar goals (measured before meals) for adults with diabetes. Talk to your healthcare professional about your individual goals.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR APIDRA®
Apidra® is for adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes for the control of high
blood sugar. Apidra® should normally be used with a longer-acting insulin. Do
not use Apidra® during a low blood sugar reaction (hypoglycemia) or if you are
allergic to insulin glulisine.
Apidra® differs from regular human insulin by its rapid onset and shorter
duration of action. When used as a mealtime insulin, Apidra® should be given
within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal. Due to the
short duration of action of Apidra®, patients also require a longer-acting insulin
or insulin infusion pump therapy. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously
and only under medical supervision. Tell your doctor about all other
medicines and supplements you are taking. Glucose monitoring is recommended for
all patients with diabetes.
Possible side effects may include low blood sugar; injection site reactions, such
as changes in fat tissue at the injection site; and allergic reactions, such as
itching and rash. Less common, but potentially more serious or life-threatening,
is generalized allergy to insulin, including anaphylactic reactions.
When used in a pump, do not mix Apidra® with any other insulin or liquid.
If the pump or infusion set does not work right, you may not receive the right amount
of insulin. Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or ketosis can happen. Problems should
be identified and corrected as quickly as possible.
Exercise or activity level may change the way your body uses insulin. Check with your healthcare provider before you start an exercise program because your dose may need to be changed.
Click here for additional important information for Apidra®.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR LANTUS®
Prescription Lantus® is for adults with type 2 diabetes or adults and children (6
years and older) with type 1 diabetes who require long-acting insulin for the control
of high blood sugar.
DO NOT DILUTE OR MIX LANTUS® WITH ANY OTHER INSULIN OR SOLUTION. It will not work as intended, and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be serious. Do not change your insulin without talking with your doctor. The syringe must not contain any other medication or residue. You should not use Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin. Lantus® is a long-acting insulin you inject just once a day, at the same time each day. You must test your blood sugar levels while using an insulin such as Lantus®.
The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus®, is hypoglycemia, which may be serious. Other possible side effects may include injection site reactions, including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including itching and rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life threatening. Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they can change the way insulin works.
Click here for additional important information for Lantus®.
