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Is It Safe To Change Insulin Close To Delivery Date?
Question: Hi, my sister-in-law, a Type-2 diabetic since 5 years is 36 week into her second pregnancy. She has been on insulin (Novorapid, Human Insulatard) thru out her pregnancy until a week back. She visited a new Endo doc and since her sugar was not in control he insisted she change her insulin. Now she is taking Novorapid & Lantus and her sugars are more in control.
Questions:
1. Is it alright for her to change her insulin so close to the delivery date in her pregnancy
2. Also is Lantus safe for pregnant women & the baby ?
3. She is taking 185 units a day, is this too high consumption ? Her current dosage (in units) is as per below
Novorapid: 46 (BF) - 36 (BL) - 36 (BD)
Lantus: 26 - 0 - 40
4. Are there any ill effects to the baby by her taking Lantus or changing of insulin type so close to the due-date ?
Questions:
1. Is it alright for her to change her insulin so close to the delivery date in her pregnancy
2. Also is Lantus safe for pregnant women & the baby ?
3. She is taking 185 units a day, is this too high consumption ? Her current dosage (in units) is as per below
Novorapid: 46 (BF) - 36 (BL) - 36 (BD)
Lantus: 26 - 0 - 40
4. Are there any ill effects to the baby by her taking Lantus or changing of insulin type so close to the due-date ?
Brief Answer:
Lantus not harmful
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. I would answer as per your questions.
1. Yes, it is alright for her to change the insulin close to her delivery date. It is highly required to maintain the blood sugar levels within normal range in third trimester of pregnancy, as deranged sugar levels can lead to sudden intrauterine death. Insulin can be very safely changed to control the blood sugars.
2. Lantus is insulin glargine which is a pregnancy category C drug, means that animal studies with this drug has shown some adverse effects ( dilatation of cerebral ventricle) on fetus, however no controlled human studies have been done, and such a drug should be given if the potential benefits outweigh the risks associated. It has no adverse effect on pregnant women.
3. The dose of the insulin us decided by the blood sugar levels, and it generally greatly increases in third trimester due to hormonal changes in pregnancy. It is safe to take this dose, but she should check her blood sugar levels each time before taking insulin and should not take insulin if levels are below 70 mg/ dl. Moreover, she should recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia and should always keep candy, sweet biscuits, glucose packet close to her reach , so that she can take them immediately in case of hypoglycemia
4. No, there are no adverse effects on mother or fetus by lantus or changing the insulin type so close to pregnancy.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you both good health.
Regards,
Dr Deepti Verma
Lantus not harmful
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. I would answer as per your questions.
1. Yes, it is alright for her to change the insulin close to her delivery date. It is highly required to maintain the blood sugar levels within normal range in third trimester of pregnancy, as deranged sugar levels can lead to sudden intrauterine death. Insulin can be very safely changed to control the blood sugars.
2. Lantus is insulin glargine which is a pregnancy category C drug, means that animal studies with this drug has shown some adverse effects ( dilatation of cerebral ventricle) on fetus, however no controlled human studies have been done, and such a drug should be given if the potential benefits outweigh the risks associated. It has no adverse effect on pregnant women.
3. The dose of the insulin us decided by the blood sugar levels, and it generally greatly increases in third trimester due to hormonal changes in pregnancy. It is safe to take this dose, but she should check her blood sugar levels each time before taking insulin and should not take insulin if levels are below 70 mg/ dl. Moreover, she should recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia and should always keep candy, sweet biscuits, glucose packet close to her reach , so that she can take them immediately in case of hypoglycemia
4. No, there are no adverse effects on mother or fetus by lantus or changing the insulin type so close to pregnancy.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you both good health.
Regards,
Dr Deepti Verma
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Deepti Verma
OBGYN, Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Practicing since :2009
Answered : 5064 Questions
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