Diabetes Insulin Preparation—Two Kinds

Please read and practice preparing One Kind of insulin (see Insulin preparation - One Kind). Here are the steps for drawing up two kinds of insulin in one syringe:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.

2. Check the expiration date on the bottle (s). Do not use if the bottle (s) are expired.

3. Store your extra bottles of insulin in the refrigerator. The insulin bottles you are using may be stored at room temperature. Store these bottles of insulin between 40-86 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Gently mix the insulin by rolling between your hands. Look at the insulin; if there are clumps of insulin in the bottle after mixing or if there are particles of insulin (flakes) stuck to the bottle, do not use it.

5. If you have a new vial, remove the flat, colored cap. Do not remove the rubber stopper or metal band under the cap. Clean the rubber stopper with alcohol.

6. Write down your doses of mixed insulins like this:

   Humalog® or Regular (clear)	_____ units
   NPH, Lente or Ultralente (cloudy)	_____ units
   Total insulin	_____ units

7. Take your syringe and remove the needle cover or cap.

8. Pull the plunger out to draw air into the syringe equal to the amount of NPH, Lente, or Ultralente (or cloudy) insulin that you need. Inject this air into the cloudy insulin bottle. Do NOT pull insulin into the syringe. Take the needle out of the bottle.

9. Pull the plunger out to draw air into the syringe equal to the amount of Humalog® or Regular (or clear) insulin that you need. Inject this air into the clear insulin bottle. Turn the bottle and syringe upside down. The tip of the needle should be in the insulin.

10. Pull the plunger out to the amount of regular insulin you take. If you have air bubbles, push the insulin back into the bottle to get rid of the air bubbles. Then, pull the plunger out to the number of units you need for the regular insulin.

11. Check for air bubbles. Repeat step #10 until all air bubbles are gone. Take the needle out of the regular insulin bottle.

12. Insert the needle into the bottle of cloudy insulin. Turn the bottle and syringe upside down. Pull the plunger back until you have the TOTAL units you need. (REMEMBER: Total units equal clear insulin units plus cloudy insulin units.)

13. BE CAREFUL not to push any of the clear insulin into the cloudy insulin vial.

14. Remove the needle from the bottle. Put the cover back on your needle. You are ready to give your insulin.

15. A mixture of Humalog® and NPH or Ultralente insulin should be given within 15 minutes after it is drawn into the syringe. A mixture of Regular and Ultralente insulin should also be given within 15 minutes after it is drawn into the syringe.

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    See related Patient Textbooks about Internal Medicine.

    See related Patient Topics About Your Medicines, Child and Teen Health, Diabetes, Endocrine System (Hormones), Endocrinology, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Immune System/AIDS, Internal Medicine, Juvenile Diabetes, Procedures and Therapies or Seniors' Health.

    See related Provider Textbooks about Internal Medicine.

    See related Provider Topics About Your Medicines, Child and Teen Health, Diabetes, Endocrine System (Hormones), Endocrinology, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Immune System/AIDS, Internal Medicine, Procedures and Therapies or Seniors' Health.

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