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Treatment for an Insulin Overdose

Insulin is taken to lower blood sugar in diabetics. However, if a diabetic takes too much insulin, low blood sugar results. Insulin overdose and low blood sugar have the same symptoms: pale pallor, sweaty hands, confusion, trembling and intense anxiety. Take action at once to prevent further complications.

  1. Drink

    • The first step in counteracting an insulin overdose is to raise the blood sugar quickly. If you are suffering from an insulin overdose, drink a soda product with sugar in it to get sugar into the system as quickly as possible. Drinks make it into the bloodstream much faster than food. Diabetics should keep sugar soda on hand in case of a low blood sugar episode. If you don't have sugar soda on hand, eat something high in sugar such as a piece of candy or a cookie.

    Monitor

    • After drinking, check your blood glucose level with a home monitor device (see Resources below). If it is still low, drink a bit more soda. Eat something high in sugar, such as a piece of fruit or another cookie. Do not be concerned at this point with high blood sugar; eat and drink until your home monitor says you are in the safe zone or higher.

    Attentiveness

    • Pay attention to your body for at least the next 2 hours after the insulin overdose episode. Do not go to bed. You may have to eat more or drink more to maintain acceptable blood glucose readings. If you feel you cannot maintain consciousness call for emergency help immediately.

    Medical Assistance

    • If the home treatments are not working and your blood sugar remains unacceptably low 2 hours after the insulin overdose, call your health care provider or go to the emergency room. Do not drive. Call 911 and request an ambulance take you to the nearest hospital.

    Insulin Antidote

    • If you are prone to low blood sugar in general, you should ask your health care provider if you might keep glucagon for an emergency. The hospital uses this insulin antidote if you need to go to the emergency room. Injecting glucagon into the body will raise your blood sugar immediately.

    Education

    • If you live with others make sure they know the treatments you will need in case of accidental insulin overdose. You may not be able to help yourself because you might be confused or even pass out. Write out instructions and run practice drills so all family members know what to do in case of insulin overdose.

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