In type 2 diabetes, as the beta-cells produce less and less insulin, it is necessary to start injecting insulin to increase your body’s levels of insulin to control your blood sugar (glucose) levels, in combination with your oral tablets. You must not stop taking your oral tablets unless your doctor has advised you to do so.
Your doctor may prescribe an intermediate-acting insulin (Biosulin® N; Humulin® N; Protaphane®) or he may prescribe a long-acting basal insulin (Lantus®; Levemir®).
If your doctor has prescribed an intermediate insulin, you should inject it as close as possible to 10 pm. This insulin has a peak action after 4 hours of injecting and if taken too early can increase your risk of over-night hypoglycaemia. Your doctor may suggest that you inject your insulin in the morning with your breakfast.
Always Remember: You Should Not Miss A Meal Once You Have Injected Your Insulin.
Intermediate acting insulin should always be gently shaken/mixed before injecting, to make sure that all the insulin is mixed up properly in the liquid. The insulin should look “milky” before you inject it. Your doctor will show you how to mix (re-suspend) your insulin.
If your doctor has prescribed a long-acting basal insulin, you can inject this in the morning or the evening [any time from dinner time up until bedtime], but once you have decided on a time, you should inject at the same time every day.
Long-acting basal insulin is a clear and colourless insulin, so there is no need to shake/mix the insulin before injecting.