Insulin Overdose: Reasons, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Diabetes happens due to insulin resistance, where the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use what it makes effectively. External insulin is needed to move sugar from food into the body’s cells. However, calculating the right insulin dose is critical—too much can result in a dangerous insulin overdose and life-threatening hypoglycemia.
What causes an insulin overdose?
Insulin needs differ from person to person. A dose that works for one may be too high for another. Dosage also changes through the day. For example, breakfast may need more insulin than lunch due to hormones or prior activity. There are also differences in the speed of insulin action—fast-acting (bolus) insulin taken at meals vs. slow-acting (basal) insulin taken to manage sugar between meals. The insulin’s strength can vary too—from U100 to as strong as U500 depending on individual requirements.
Basal insulin keeps sugar stable through the day, while bolus insulin covers blood sugar spikes caused by meals. If either type is taken incorrectly—wrong dose, wrong time, or wrong type—an overdose can occur, resulting in hypoglycemia.
What does hypoglycemia look like?
When blood sugar drops too low, symptoms may include confusion, foggy thinking, mood swings, weakness, dizziness, fast heart rate, sweating, chills, blurred vision, and even unconsciousness in extreme cases.
How to treat insulin overdose
For mild hypoglycemia, test your sugar levels. If they’re below 70 mg/dl, drink a fast-acting sugar drink like juice or soda, or eat candy. If the issue was due to missed food, follow up with a proper meal. Rest and recheck your sugar in 15 minutes. If it remains low, repeat the steps or seek medical help.
In severe cases where the person is confused or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth. Rub honey or glucose gel inside the cheek. If available, inject a glucagon shot from a glucagon kit. Always carry a medical ID so people around can help appropriately. Even if the person recovers, they must visit a hospital, where a dextrose drip and monitoring are essential.
How to avoid insulin overdose
Prevention lies in awareness and habits. Always read insulin labels, double-check your insulin type and timing, and keep proper records. Mistaking a bolus dose for a basal one is common and dangerous. Never take insulin before a meal unless the food is ready. Skipping meals after taking insulin is another major cause of overdose. Use apps to calculate carb-insulin ratios accurately. If multiple people in your home use insulin, store each person’s separately. Lastly, always keep your doctor informed of any changes to your doses or lifestyle.
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