Patient was educated on how to take Novolog as follows:
- Take the Novolog insulin shot at the same time every day, to avoid forgetting the shot. This also helps to avoid lags in insulin coverage or stacking up the doses of insulin too close. Forgetting the shot can precipitate an episode of elevated blood sugars.
- Since Novolog has a very short duration of onset of action, the shot must be taken 15 minutes before meal.
- Make sure you are having your meal within 15 minutes of having the shot. Do not go ahead and take the Novolog shot, if you are getting late on your meal. In such situation, defer taking the Novolog shot until 15 minutes before your meal time. Noncompliance with this rule can precipitate an episode of dangerously low blood sugar and hypoglycemic symptoms.
- Take a blood sugar reading always before you take the Novolog shot. Maintain a log of every day blood sugar readings for comparative feedback, as to how well Novolog is helping to control the blood sugars.
- If the blood sugar is too low, despite eating regularly and without skipping a meal, you can defer taking the Novolog shot for that dose and notify your doctor regarding the same.
- Keeping a track of frequency of episodes of low blood sugars, despite eating regularly, can help your physician change the plan regarding managing your blood sugars.
- Also, notify your doctor, if the blood sugar continues to be high, despite taking Novolog as recommended, so that, your insulin dose could be revised.
- Maintain strict compliance with administration of Novolog shot as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication.
- Do not change the dose on Novolog without consulting your doctor.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. Take a blood sugar reading and make sure your blood sugars are not too low, when you are administering your Novolog shot out of your regular scheduled time. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose.
