• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Novorapid overdose

S

staceface

Member
Messages
19
Location
London
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I am new to diabetes and insulin and tonight I took 10 units of Novorapid (instead of Levomir) when I normally would have taken 2 units for the meal I had. I immediately realised so drank a little bit of lucozade and then ate my meal. I'm pregnant so test 1 hour after eating and my blood sugar was within range, but I have kept testing and it is continuing to fall now at 4.9 (two hours after testing). I want to go to sleep and I'm scared of having a hypo.

My question is how long will the Novorapid continue to work and should I stay awake and keep testing or am I ok to go to bed? Thank you
 
It will last for about 5 hours although the biggest peak is around the 90 minute mark. I would want to stay awake until it's worn off and keep plenty of hypo treatments ready.

 
Do you count carbs and know your insulin to,carb ratio? If so, eat the 'missing' carbs - perhaps something like biscuits so that you don't get too full.

Novorapid can vary in its length of action but is around 5 hours. As you're pregnant, I'd test frequently - say every 20 or 30 mins so that you can watch for any drop.

Don't worry. You'll be ok. You may just miss a little sleep as it would be wise to,set an alarm to test once or,twice during the night too.
 
Thank you. I don't count carbs. I just need to give 2 or 4 to allow me to eat a few more carbs as I was eating too few for my pregnancy. I will keep testing. If it stabilises then will I be ok to go to sleep? Would a hypo wake me up from my sleep? I've never had one. I only started the Novorapid about 10 days ago.
 
@staceface . novorapid can be effective up to and beyond 5 hrs in some cases.
Although the lucozade was a good idea you really need food that is going to stay in your system. Something carb like is needed..
Some cereal, a sandwich anything to act alongside the extra novorapid in your system.
Unfortunately you wil have to be extra cautious and keep testing.
Last time I made this mistake I had to have 2 breakfasts instead of 1.
If your still unsure keep posting and they'll always be someone here to advise.
Have you got anyone with you to keep an extra eye on you?
 

When did you have the Novorapid? I'd stay awake and keep testing for a while. If also set an alarm to test during the night, and possibly a second alarm too. A hypo may wake you but it may not, especially as you've taken more Novorapid than normal so could drop quickly.

What did you eat for your meal?

Edited to add that @therower 's idea of cereal is an excellent one.
 
Thank you. I took only about 60 mls of lucozade and then ate a meal of meat with brown basmati rice and veg - which was what I planned to eat (with 2 units of Levomir).
My blood sugar has gone back up from 4.9 at its lowest about 30 mins ago to 5.3 now. Does that mean I am out of the woods? My husband is here with me. Thank you all so much for your help and support
 
I ate a meal of meat with brown basmati rice and veg
Do you think I need to eat some cereal now? My blood sugar is 5.3 and has gone up from 4.9 30 mins ago.
 
Ok, so unless you had a tiny amount of rice that suggests that your normal 2 units covers a reasonable amount of carbs. So taking 10 units will mean you definitely need to eat some more carbs. You could spread them out a little if you can't eat lots now. Try a bowl of cereal as suggested and get something like biscuits or fruit as well as the Lucozade (for if your blood sugar suddenly drops).

If you had the Novorapid at 7.30pm, I'd stay up until 12.30am. Then I'd set an alarm for 2am too to be safe.
 
 
Hi,

If I was to suggest anything? Stay awake, keep testing. & if hovering or dipping around 4.9 to 5.3 (which isn't much of a change in my book.) drink milk. In my experience a steadier "hit."
 
robert72 said:
Also, did you take the Levemir as well?
Click to expand...
Yes - aboout 20 mins later I took 10 units of Levomir. I am currently increasing it by 2 units every two days as my fasting sugars are above 5.3 (pregnancy range) and today is my first day of 10 units.
 
Jaylee said:
Hi,

If I was to suggest anything? Stay awake, keep testing. & if hovering or dipping around 4.9 to 5.3 (which isn't much of a change in my book.) drink milk. In my experience a steadier "hit."
Click to expand...
Thank you - I'm lactose intolerant so can't drink milk. I have unsweetened almond milk in cereal
 
Thank you - shall i have my low GI cereal or regular cereal which would be more carbs?
 
staceface said:
10 weeks - hence I'm exhausted and usually asleep by 9.30 pm! So staying awake is going to be a massive struggle
!!
Click to expand...

Ok You could doze and keep setting an alarm to test, with your husband staying awake maybe.

Early in pregnancy, the pregnancy hormones can make hypos more likely. That's why Lucozade is often recommended - it works very quickly for a hypo.

If you think of your insulin (Novorapid) as 'matching up' to the amount of carbs you eat, then you've taken a lot more than needed for the carbs (rice) you ate. That's why you need to eat more carbs - to 'use' that insulin you took.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…