insulin
a pancreatic HORMONE , produced in the ISLETS OF LANGERHANS , that initiates uptake of glucose by body CELLS and thereby controls the level of glucose in the blood. It works by stimulating proteins on cell surfaces within muscles and other TISSUE to take up glucose for their activity. A lack of hormone results in the sugar derived from food being excreted in the urine - the condition DIABETES MELLITUS . In such cases, insulin can be administered by injection.
Human insulin is used to control blood sugar in people who have type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not make insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) or in people who have type 2 diabetes (condition in which the blood sugar is too high because the body does not produce or use insulin normally) that cannot be controlled with oral medications alone. Human insulin is in a class of medications called hormones. Human insulin is used to take the place of insulin that is normally produced by the body. It works by helping move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. It also stops the liver from producing more sugar. All of the types of insulin that are available work in this way. The types of insulin differ only in how quickly they begin to work and how long they continue to control blood sugar. Over time, people who have diabetes and high blood sugar can develop serious or life-threatening complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, nerve damage, and eye problems. Using medication(s), making lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, quitting smoking), and regularly checking your blood sugar may help to manage your diabetes and improve your health. This therapy may also decrease your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes-related complications such as kidney failure, nerve damage (numb, cold legs or feet; decreased sexual ability in men and women), eye problems, including changes or loss of vision, or gum disease. Your doctor and other healthcare providers will talk to you about the best way to manage your diabetes.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking insulin affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
Insulin glargine is not expected to make it harder to become pregnant. As always, questions about fertility and diabetes management should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Does taking insulin increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. The fact sheet notes that in more than 800 reports of people who took insulin glargine during pregnancy, an increase in the chance of miscarriage was not reported. Your healthcare provider can talk with you about your individual situation.
Does taking insulin increase the risk of birth defects?
Every pregnancy starts with a background risk of 3–5% for birth defects. According to the fact sheet, in more than 800 reports of people who took insulin glargine during pregnancy, an increase in birth defects above the background risk was not reported, including in studies comparing it to other diabetes medications. Decisions about diabetes treatment in pregnancy should be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking insulin during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
The fact sheet states it is not clear whether insulin glargine can increase the chance of issues like preterm birth or low birth weight. One study found more reports of small-for-gestational-age babies when comparing insulin glargine to another specific insulin, but this was not seen when compared to insulin treatments overall for type 1 diabetes. Poorly controlled diabetes itself raises the risk of complications, so management should be discussed closely with your healthcare provider.
Can taking insulin during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
The fact sheet indicates that studies have not been done to see whether insulin glargine causes behavior or learning problems in the child. Any concerns about long-term child development should be raised with your healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking insulin?
According to the fact sheet, insulin glargine is a normal part of breast milk, and its use during breastfeeding is not expected to cause problems for a nursing baby. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any questions related to breastfeeding and diabetes management.
Source: National Library of Medicine
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