Be careful! It is unsafe to take insulin randomly or reactively to a high glucose reading. Sliding scale insulin should be used hours after the last dose of short acting insulin, usually just before a meal where it is added to meal time insulin. Taking insulin 5-20 minutes before eating can drastically improve post meal glucose response.
Most patients on a normal day take mealtime insulin and correction dose before meals three times per day.
Some patients are prescribed sliding scale insulin before bed ONLY if glucose levels are above goal. Avoid taking meal time insulin at bedtime if you are not eating a meal.
