This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: Canada
Awiqli
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to help control blood sugar in people with diabetes.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?
- If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have any of these health problems: Acidic blood problem or low blood sugar.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
- Do not drive if your blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of you having a crash.
- Wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
- Have your blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by your doctor.
- Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
- Follow the diet and exercise plan that your doctor told you about.
- Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or take products that have alcohol in them.
- Do not change the insulin you take unless your doctor tells you to.
- Low blood sugar may happen with this drug. Very low blood sugar can lead to seizures, passing out, long lasting brain damage, and sometimes death. Talk with the doctor.
- It may be harder to control blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. A change in physical activity, exercise, or diet may also affect blood sugar.
- If you have diarrhea, are throwing up, or do not eat as much as normal, talk with your doctor. If you want to make changes to your diet or exercise more than normal, talk with your doctor. You may need to change how much insulin you use.
- Low blood potassium may happen with this drug. If not treated, this can lead to a heartbeat that is not normal, very bad breathing problems, and sometimes death. Talk with the doctor.
- Some diabetes drugs like pioglitazone or rosiglitazone may cause heart failure or make it worse in people who already have it. Using insulin with these drugs may increase this risk. If you also take one of these drugs, talk with the doctor.
- Be sure you have the right insulin product. Insulin products come in many containers like vials, cartridges, and pens. Be sure that you know how to measure and get your dose ready. If you have any questions, call your doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not share your insulin product with another person. This includes any pens, cartridge devices, needles, or syringes, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing may pass infections from one person to another. This includes infections you may not know you have.
- Do not stop taking this drug without talking with your doctor. Using doses that are too low or stopping this drug may raise the risk of high blood sugar or an acidic blood problem.
- If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
- This drug is not approved for use in children. Talk with the doctor.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat. Rarely, some allergic reactions have been life-threatening.
- Signs of low potassium levels like muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or a heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Bruising, redness, swelling, or other reaction where the injection was given.
- Thick skin, pits, or lumps where the injection was given.
- Swelling in the arms or legs.
- Sweating a lot.
- Low blood sugar may happen. Signs may be dizziness or passing out, blurred eyesight, mood changes, slurred speech, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, sweating, or seizures. Call the doctor right away if any of these signs happen. Follow what you have been told to do if low blood sugar happens. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
- Weight gain.
- Pain, itching, or other irritation where the injection was given.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
How is this drug best taken?
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- This drug is given as an injection into the fatty part of the skin on the top of the thigh, belly area, or upper arm. This drug must not be injected into a vein or muscle.
- If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
- This drug is only taken 1 time each week. Take on the same day each week.
- Wash your hands before use.
- Remove all pen needle covers before injecting a dose (there may be 2). If you are not sure what type of pen needle you have or how to use it, talk with the doctor.
- This drug is clear and colorless. Do not use if it changes color. Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
- Move site where you give the shot each time.
- Do not give into skin within 2 inches (5 cm) of the belly button.
- Do not give into skin that is irritated, tender, bruised, red, scaly, hard, thickened, scarred, or has pits, lumps, or stretch marks.
- Do not move this drug from the pen to a syringe.
- Do not mix this insulin in the same syringe with other types of insulin.
- Do not mix with other liquids.
- This drug must not be used in an insulin pump. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- Do not drop the pen or knock it against hard surfaces. Do not try to repair the pen or pull it apart. Do not use if the pen is damaged.
- If you have trouble seeing, have someone else give the shot.
- This product may make a clicking sound as you prepare the dose. Do not prepare the dose by counting the clicks. Doing so could lead to using the wrong dose.
- Take off the needle after each shot. Do not store this device with the needle on it.
- Keep the cap on the pen when not in use.
- Do not wash or soak the pen. It may be cleaned with mild soap on a damp cloth.
- Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it within 4 days. Start a new weekly schedule based on when the missed dose was taken.
- If it has been more than 4 days since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal day.
- Check your blood sugar more often after a missed dose.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store unopened pens in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
- Do not use if it has been frozen.
- You may store unopened pens at room temperature for up to 12 weeks. If stored at room temperature, throw away any part not used after 12 weeks.
- If stored in the refrigerator, do not store right next to the cooling element.
- Protect from heat and sunlight. Keep away from microwaves.
- After opening, store at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Throw away any part not used after 12 weeks.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2026-04-21
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