Insulin Overdose: Signs, Treatment, and Prevention

Knowing the risks of an insulin overdose is key for safe diabetes management. This guide provides an overview of overdose causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention strategies.

Insulin overdose is a risk when managing diabetes, but knowing the signs can make all the difference when treating it. This US MED guide teaches you to spot and respond to the event so you can manage your diabetes with confidence.

Insulin Overdose Guide

1. What Is An Insulin Overdose?
2. What Causes An Insulin Overdose?
3. Insulin Overdose Symptoms
   1. Mild Hypoglycemia
   2. Severe Hypoglycemia
4. Insulin Overdose Treatment
   1. Treating An Overdose Of Rapid-Acting Insulin
   2. Treating An Overdose Of Long-Acting Insulin
5. Insulin Overdose Prevention
6. Finding The Right Insulin Dose
   1. Insulin Strength
   2. Types Of Insulin And How They Work
7. How US MED Can Help
8. Insulin Overdose FAQs
   1. Can An Insulin Overdose Cause A Heart Attack?
   2. How Long Does An Insulin Overdose Last?

What Is An Insulin Overdose?

An insulin overdose happens when you receive more insulin than your body needs. This leads to hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This condition can cause a wide range of symptoms, from fatigue and confusion to severe complications like seizures and unconsciousness.

What Causes An Insulin Overdose?

There are countless reasons why you might find yourself dealing with an insulin overdose. These include, but are not limited to:

• Having trouble seeing the gradation/numbers on your insulin syringe or pen
• Using the wrong type of insulin
• Inadvertently delivering an insulin dose calculated for another meal
• Accidentally injecting insulin twice for the same dose
• Waiting too long after injecting insulin to eat a meal or snack
• Miscalculating how many carbs are in a meal

Insulin Overdose Symptoms

There are many reasons why you might find yourself dealing with an insulin overdose. These include, but are not limited to:

• Trouble seeing the gradation/numbers on your insulin syringe or pen
• Using the wrong type of insulin
• Delivering an insulin dose meant for another meal
• Accidentally injecting insulin twice for the same dose
• Waiting too long after injecting insulin to eat a meal or snack
• Miscalculating how many carbs are in a meal

Mild Hypoglycemia

If you overdose on insulin, you may notice symptoms such as:

• Dizziness
• Hunger
• Fatigue and drowsiness
• Irritability, nervousness, or a depressed mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• A rapid heartbeat
• Nausea
• Slurred speech
• Tingling sensations
• Headache
• Restlessness
• Disturbed sleep
• Pale skin
• Sweating
• Unsteady movements
• Tremors

Severe Hypoglycemia

Severe insulin overdose symptoms include:

• Seizures
• Disorientation
• Coma

Insulin Overdose Treatment

If you think you’ve overdosed on insulin, the first thing you should do is stay calm. In most cases, it won’t be life-threatening. Your next steps will vary based on the type of insulin you overdosed on.

Treating An Overdose Of Rapid-Acting Insulin

To treat a rapid-acting insulin overdose, you’ll need to determine when it took place. If it was at least 20 minutes ago, consume 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as a glucose tablet or hard candy, or drink half a cup of sweetened fruit juice. Then, check your blood glucose level 15 minutes later – a strategy known as the “15-15 rule.” 

If your blood sugar is still between 55 and 69 mg/dL, consume another 15 g of carbohydrates. Keep repeating until your blood sugar is above 70 mg/dL. After your blood glucose has stabilized, continue to eat the complex carbohydrates listed in your meal plan to reduce your risk of hypoglycemia later on.

The 15-15 rule should not be used to treat severely low blood sugar, which is blood sugar below 55 mg/dL. If your blood sugar is severely low, you may need a glucagon injection. Talk with your doctor about whether you should have a prescription for a glucagon kit.

On the other hand, you may not need to eat carbs that digest quickly if the overdose occurred less than 20 minutes ago. Still, you’ll want to consume a source of carbs that easily breaks down. Ideally, it will be one that’s low in fat because fat can slow down the effects of carbohydrates.

Treating An Overdose Of Long-Acting Insulin

Unlike rapid-acting insulin, a long-acting insulin overdose could impact your life for the next 24 hours. You should still focus on treating your overdose with fast-acting carbs, then get in touch with your healthcare team.

Meanwhile, try to keep your sugar intake higher than average for the next day if your overdose was less severe. Part of this includes testing your blood sugar regularly and consuming one to two servings of healthy carbohydrates before going to bed.

Insulin Overdose Prevention

You can greatly reduce the likelihood of an insulin overdose by:

• Following a schedule: If you plan a time to eat every day, you’ll know exactly when to take your insulin doses.
• Carefully calculating mealtime insulin doses: Double-checking your doses might seem inconvenient, but can prevent the serious risks of an insulin overdose.
• Focusing on your insulin injection: Watching TV or talking to a friend while taking insulin may seem harmless, but could cause you to forget that you’ve already taken your dose.
• Eating right after you inject insulin: Whenever possible, don’t wait to eat a meal or snack once you’ve taken insulin.
• Being extra careful with insulin when you have low blood sugar: Since you’re more likely to make mistakes when hypoglycemic, make sure your blood glucose is back to a healthy level before administering another insulin dose.
• Asking for help when you need it: The numbers and gradations on insulin pens and syringes can be hard to read, so there’s no shame in asking for help if you’re having trouble reading them.

To lower the risks of an insulin overdose, follow these steps:

• Plan ahead: Take fast-acting carbs with you everywhere you go.
• Let your loved ones know about your hypoglycemia symptoms: When your friends and family know what a hypo looks like for you, they’ll be ready to act if you overdose on insulin.
• Pick up a medical alert bracelet: A bracelet that details your insulin use will make it easier for emergency responders to help you in the case of an insulin overdose.

Finding The Right Insulin Dose

Taking the right amount of insulin is key to managing diabetes safely. The right insulin dosage varies for everyone and depends on factors like when you take it, your daily activities, and whether you’re insulin-resistant.

Insulin Strength

Most insulin is U-100, meaning it has 100 units of insulin per milliliter of liquid. For people who need more due to insulin resistance, stronger options like U-500 are available.

Types Of Insulin And How They Work

Your doctor will guide you on the proper insulin dose, but updates may be needed based on your lifestyle and health changes. Mistakes can happen, so it’s important to double-check your doses and understand how each type of insulin works.

• Basal insulin: Keeps your blood sugar steady throughout the day. It works slowly and lasts up to 24 hours.
• Mealtime insulin: Taken before meals to manage the rise in blood sugar after eating.

There are also fast-acting insulins that work within 15 minutes and long-acting insulins that start working in 30–60 minutes.

How US MED Can Help

You rely on high-quality products to manage your diabetes safely. But can you trust your diabetic supply company? Choosing a trustworthy supplier means safeguarding your health, finances, and overall well-being.

At US MED, we have over 20 years of industry experience. With our diabetes products, you’ll be ready for anything. Give US MED a try! If you’re not fully happy with your diabetes products, you can return or exchange them within 30 days at no extra cost. Simply contact our Member Service team to get started.

Insulin Overdose FAQs

Can an insulin overdose cause a heart attack?

An insulin overdose doesn’t directly cause a heart attack, but hypoglycemia can increase the risk. This is especially true in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. The key is keeping your blood sugar levels stable.

How long does an insulin overdose last?

The effects of an insulin overdose typically last around three days, but vary depending on the person and severity. Severe symptoms may last longer, so it’s crucial to have a healthcare provider monitor your condition.