Insulin Question

athomas91 · Mar 24, 2004

individual dependent. - there is not a set dose that is lethal

Lilith · Mar 25, 2004

The recommended dosage is 0.5-1.0U/kg/day. Toxicity from a hypoglycemic reaction would depend on a number of factors including kidney and liver function, how much the person had to eat, or continued to eat after the injection, rate of absorption relative to percentage of SC fat etc. Also depends on what type of insulin....I'm assuming we're talking about Regular, where a rapid, immediate blood sugar fall could be a problem. IV administration recommends pushing no more that 50U over a 1 minute period....if that gives you an idea of where the danger zone might lie.

Blackcat99 · Mar 25, 2004

:chuckle If you are planning to kill someone with an insulin overdose make sure they are truly diabetic! I remember hearing about that prison nurse who killed her husband with an insulin overdose. The only problem was that he was not a diabetic and so she got busted and went to prison. :chuckle

sharann, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2004

How much did the person in the incident receive and were they in DKA or diabetic at all?

Lilith · Mar 25, 2004

:chuckle If you are planning to kill someone with an insulin overdose make sure they are truly diabetic! I remember hearing about that prison nurse who killed her husband with an insulin overdose. The only problem was that he was not a diabetic and so she got busted and went to prison. :chuckle

:rotfl: WAY too funny....I wonder if she used to list "strong critical thinking skills" on her nursing resume......

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2004

Like Morphine, it is pretty dependant on the individual. I have had a nursing instructor that tooh around 200u Q4, and still crank high blood sugars. And then I have had 4u crash someone out.

mbess02 · Mar 28, 2004

For a type 1 diabetic, they are much more insulin sensitive than a type 2, and less insulin will cause more violent hypoglycemia more rapidly. This is also because the type 1's counterregulatory process (ie release of glucagon) is impaired compared to a type 2 or a regular patient.