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Diabetes Information for Caregivers

Diabetes success is about more than making healthy lifestyle choices and medication. It’s about support.

Friends and family of people with diabetes can be a very important part of managing the disease. Caregivers can help, encourage, and educate. And that can make living with diabetes easier for those who have it.

If you find yourself caring for a person with diabetes, here is some information that can help.

Encourage doctor visits
Frequent doctor’s appointments are so important. It can be difficult to get in the habit of making (and keeping) visits to a doctor, a certified diabetes educator, or a dietician. Caregivers should remind their friends and family with diabetes to check in with their diabetes team on a regular basis.

Make mealtimes easy
Many people with diabetes have to monitor what food they eat. This sometimes means cutting back on the amount of sugar they eat. By keeping a healthy kitchen full of vegetables and whole grains, you can not only help someone with diabetes—you can help the whole household eat healthier.

Set up a routine
One of the most important things about starting long-acting insulin is routine—making sure insulin is taken at the same time every day. It also means following a diet and exercise plan that the doctor recommends. It can be difficult for people with diabetes to remember everything they need to do. When caregivers can help set up and maintain a diabetes management routine, it makes staying on track that much easier.


LANTUS® SoloSTAR® Pen Video

Watch this video to learn more about the LANTUS® SoloSTAR® Pen.

LANTUS® Injection Video

Learn how to inject LANTUS® with this easy-to-follow injection video.

Important Safety Information for Lantus®

Do not take Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin or any of the inactive ingredients in Lantus®.

You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Lantus®. Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision.

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. Lantus® must only be used if the solution is clear and colorless with no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with others.

The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus®, is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision. Severe hypoglycemia can be dangerous and can cause harm to your heart or brain. It may cause unconsciousness, seizures, or death. 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. Before starting Lantus®, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including if you have liver or kidney problems, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed.

Indications and Usage for Lantus®

Prescription Lantus® is a long-acting insulin used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and adults and children (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes for the control of high blood sugar. It should be taken once a day at the same time each day to lower blood glucose.

Do not use Lantus® to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.

Lantus® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin pen.

Click here for additional important information for Lantus®.

Important Safety Information for Apidra® (insulin glulisine [rDNA origin] injection)

Do not use Apidra® during a low blood sugar reaction (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Apidra.

You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Apidra®. Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision. Apidra® must only be used if the solution is clear and colorless with no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with others.

Apidra®, when given by injection under the skin, should not be mixed with insulins other than NPH. Do not mix Apidra® with any insulin when used in the pump or for intravenous administration.

The most common side effect of insulin, including Apidra®, is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision. Severe hypoglycemia can be dangerous and can cause harm to your heart or brain. It may cause unconsciousness, seizures, or death. Other possible side effects may include low blood potassium, 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.

Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they can change the way insulin works. Before starting Apidra®, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including if you have liver or kidney problems, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed.

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. Change the Apidra® in the pump reservoir every 48 hours.

Indications and Usage for Apidra®

Prescription Apidra® is for adults with type 2 diabetes or adults and children (4 years and older) with type 1 diabetes to improve blood sugar control. Apidra® is usually used with a longer-acting insulin. When used as a mealtime insulin, Apidra® should be given within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.

Click here for additional important information for Apidra®.

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The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your health or treatment.