A medicine is only made available to the public if the clinical trials have shown that the benefits of taking the medicine outweigh the risks.
Once a medicine has been licensed, information on the medicine's effects, both intended and unintended, is continuously recorded and updated.
Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience. Very occasionally, certain side-effects can be beneficial.
Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.
Uncommon: Between 0.1% and 1% of people who take Actrapid
Very rare: Less than 0.01% of people who take Actrapid
The frequency of these side-effects is unknown
- allergic reactions
- decreased blood sugar levels – very low blood sugar levels may lead to loss of consciousness, impairment of brain function, convulsions or death. If your blood sugar levels are low or you are having warning signs of low blood sugar levels you will need to have some sugar. Suitable foods include dextrose tablets, sweets, biscuits, sugary fruit juice or sugar. Your prescriber may have also prescribed you glucagon. Glucagon is an emergency treatment for people with very low blood sugar levels. If you have been prescribed glucagon, make sure you or your carer knows when to use it, where it is stored and how to use it
- very high blood sugar levels which may lead to ketoacidosis - both of these may be life-threatening.
If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice. If you feel very ill, get medical help straight away. Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, nurse or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.