If your OTC insulin comes in a vial, you will need to purchase syringes to measure and administer the medicine.
“These are not necessarily easy-to-use pens like we have now that you just click,” says Sack. “You have to make sure you know what you’re doing with the vial and syringe and how to measure [the dose].”
It’s also important to understand how long it works in your body. If you’re switching from newer formulations to OTC insulin, you may need to adjust your dosing schedule. For example, Sack says the short-acting OTC insulins need to be taken earlier before a meal, so they have time to work. This may require you to plan specifically when you’re going to eat your meals and what you’re going to eat.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re taking the correct dosage of OTC insulin. “The amount of insulin somebody needs is really hard to figure out,” says Sack. Careful monitoring of your blood glucose levels with the assistance of your healthcare provider is essential for determining your ideal dose, he adds.
- Sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shaking
- Confusion
- Hunger
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Paleness
- Anxiety or irritability
- Vision problems
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
Storage of OTC insulin is the same as prescribed insulin, says Dr. Dominguez. “Unopened insulin should be refrigerated, and opened insulin can be kept at room temperature,” she explains.
You should avoid freezing the insulin vials or exposing them to excessive heat. Dominguez says the insulin should be discarded 28 days after the date of opening.
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