Insulatard is a long-acting insulin. This means that it will start to lower your blood sugar about 1½ hours after you take it, and the effect will last for approximately 24 hours. Insulatard is often given in combination with fast-acting insulin products.

How to use this insulin

Insulatard is for injection under the skin (subcutaneously). Never inject your insulin directly into a vein or muscle. Always vary the sites you inject, to avoid lumps (see 5 Possible side effects). The best place to give yourself an injection are: the front of your waist (abdomen); your buttocks; the front of your thighs or upper arms. Your insulin will work more quickly if you inject it around the waist.

Insulatard vials are for use with insulin syringes with the corresponding unit scale.

To inject Insulatard on its own

1. Just before injecting this insulin, roll the vial between your hands until the liquid is uniformly white and cloudy. Resuspending is easier if the insulin has reached room temperature
2. Draw air into the syringe, in the same amount as the dose of insulin you need
3. Inject the air into the vial: push the needle through the rubber stopper and press the plunger
4. Turn the vial and syringe upside down
5. Draw the right dose of insulin into the syringe
6. Pull the needle out of the vial
7. Make sure there is no air left in the syringe: point the needle upwards and push the air out
8. Check you have the right dose
9. Inject straight away.