Regular insulin

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Regular insulin
File:Actrapid vial.jpg
A vial of regular human insulin
Clinical data
Trade namesHumulin R, Novolin R, Actrapid, others[1][2]
Other namesinsulin injection (soluble),[2] neutral insulin,[2] regular human insulin, human insulin (regular), Toronto insulin
BiosimilarsMyxredlin[3]
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa682611
License data
Routes of
administration
Subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous[2]
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Onset of action30 minutes
Duration of action8 hours
Identifiers
CAS Number
ChemSpider
  • none
UNII

Regular insulin, also known as neutral insulin and soluble insulin, is a type of short-acting medical insulin.[2] It is used to treat type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and complications of diabetes such as diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic states.[5] It is also used along with glucose to treat high blood potassium levels.[6] Typically it is given by injection under the skin, but may also be used by injection into a vein or muscle.[2] Onset of effect is typically in 30 minutes and it typically lasts for 8 hours.[5] The common side effect is low blood sugar.[5] Other side effects may include pain or skin changes at the sites of injection, low blood potassium, and allergic reactions.[5] Use during pregnancy is relatively safe for the baby.[5] Regular insulin can be made from the pancreas of pigs or cows.[2] Human versions can be made either by modifying pig versions or recombinant technology.[2] Insulin was first used as a medication in Canada by Charles Best and Frederick Banting in 1922.[7] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[8] In 2017, it was the 209th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.[9] Versions are also available mixed with longer-acting versions of insulin, such as NPH insulin.[2] In 2020, the combination of human insulin with insulin isophane was the 246th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.[10][11]

Medical uses

Regular insulin is used for the long-term management of diabetes.[5] It is the treatment of choice for the two diabetic emergencies diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic states.[5] It may also be used in combination with glucose to lower potassium levels in those with hyperkalemia.[6]

Side effects

Side effects may include: low blood sugar levels, skin reactions at the site of injection and low potassium levels among others.[5]

Manufacture

Humulin, one brand name for a group of biosynthetic human insulin products, is synthesized in a laboratory strain of Escherichia coli bacteria which has been genetically altered with recombinant DNA to produce biosynthetic human insulin. Humulin R consists of zinc-insulin crystals dissolved in a clear fluid.[citation needed]

Formulations

It is sold by many manufacturers in a number of different forms. By Eli Lilly these include:[citation needed]

  • Humulin R (REGULAR human insulin injection [rDNA origin]) is a short-acting insulin that has a relatively short duration of activity as compared with other insulins.
  • Humulin R Regular U-500 (Concentrated) insulin human injection, USP (rDNA Origin) is a stronger concentration (500 units/mL) of Humulin R.
  • Humulin 70/30 (70% human insulin isophane suspension, 30% human insulin injection [rDNA origin]) is a mixture insulin. It is an intermediate-acting insulin combined with the onset of action of Humulin
  • Humulin 50/50 (50% human insulin isophane suspension, 50% human insulin injection [rDNA origin]) is a mixture insulin. It is an intermediate-acting insulin combined with the onset of action of Humulin R.

In UK these include:[12]

  • Actrapid
  • Humulin S
  • Insuman Rapid

References

  1. "insulin regular human (OTC) – Humulin R, Novolin R". Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 British national formulary : BNF 69 (69th ed.). British Medical Association. 2015. p. 464472. ISBN 9780857111562.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Summary Basis of Decision - Myxredlin". Health Canada. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  4. "Humulin R U-500- insulin human injection, solution Humulin R U-500 Kwikpen- insulin human injection, solution". DailyMed. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. "Insulin Human". drugs.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Mahoney BA, Smith WA, Lo DS, Tsoi K, Tonelli M, Clase CM (April 2005). "Emergency interventions for hyperkalaemia". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2005 (2): CD003235. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003235.pub2. PMC 6457842. PMID 15846652.
  7. Fleishman JL, Kohler JS, Schindler S (2009). Casebook for The Foundation a Great American Secret. New York: PublicAffairs. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-7867-3425-2. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017.
  8. World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
  9. "Insulin Human - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  10. "The Top 300 of 2020". ClinCalc. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  11. "Insulin Human; Insulin Isophane Human - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  12. "Human Insulin - Types, Production, Action, History". Retrieved 17 November 2017.