I have a prescription for: ____________________________________

You are being given a small dose of insulin to prevent your blood glucose (sugar) from going too high, so that you will have a normal blood glucose level. It is safe and rarely causes low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). It is very important to measure your blood glucose with your blood glucose meter. While you are adjusting your insulin, you should measure and record (in your glucose diary) readings in the morning and before lunch and supper as often as possible.

• Start with a dose of 10 units of insulin at bedtime if you are taking NPH, or if you are taking Lantus or Levemir you can take it at anytime as long as it is the same each day.
  
• Measure your blood glucose every morning before breakfast.
  
• If your before-breakfast glucose value is higher than 7.0 for 3 days in a row, you should increase your insulin dose by 2 units (that is, from 10 units to 12 units).
  
• Whenever you have a glucose level higher than 7.0 for 3 days in a row, you will increase your insulin by 2 units.
  
• You should consider testing your blood glucose at 3:00 AM occasionally to ensure you are not having low overnight blood glucose levels.
  
• Do not go above a daily dose of 30 units of insulin without discussing with your health care professional. Your goal is to achieve before-breakfast glucose levels between 4.0 and 7.0.
  
• If you have a low blood glucose (hypoglycemic) reaction during the night, decrease the insulin dose by 2 units.
  
• If you have a before-breakfast glucose reading below 4.0 for 2 days in a row, decrease the insulin dose by 2 units.
  

If you have any problems or questions, please call your doctor at:________________________

For emergencies outside office hours, call: ___________________________________________