Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.  

This is Humulin-N. It lowers blood sugar in people with diabetes. Humulin-N is a medium-acting insulin. It starts working in about 90 minutes, and the effects can last for several hours. 

You should use this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your doctor will teach you how to inject a dose. You should read the full 'Instructions for Use'. 

Before each dose, you should remember to do two things:
- Read the label on the VIAL to make sure you are using the correct insulin.
- And, gently roll and invert the vial to make the medicine cloudy. 

If you still have questions, your doctor or pharmacist can help.

Most people tolerate Humulin-N well. Common side effects include weight gain and mild reactions at the injection site, like redness, swelling or itching. At first, some people notice mild swelling of the hands or feet. Over time, Humulin-N can cause the skin to have lumps or scar tissue. You can reduce these skin problems by rotating injection sites.

As with any medicine, more serious effects could occur. With Humulin-N, these include an allergic reaction and low blood sugar. You should read the Patient Information sheet to know which symptoms to watch for. Also, you should make a plan with your doctor to manage blood sugar levels when they are low or high. 

You should check with your doctor before you take new medicines, before you drink alcohol, and before you travel. Also, you should always call your doctor if you become sick or stressed, or if you have changes to your diet, weight or exercise level.

For best results with Humulin-N, follow your doctor's orders for checking your blood sugar.