insulin regular
Generic Name: insulin regular (IN soo lin REG yoo lar)
Brand names: Humulin R, Novolin R, Novolin R Innolet, Novolin R PenFill, ReliOn/Novolin R, Iletin II Regular Pork, Velosulin BR, Insulin Purified Regular Pork, Iletin Regular, Humulin R (Concentrated)
What is insulin regular?
Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the body. It works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin regular is a long-acting form of insulin that is slightly different from other forms of insulin that are not man-made.
Insulin regular is used to treat diabetes.
Insulin regular may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about insulin regular?
Take care to keep your blood sugar from getting too low, causing hypoglycemia. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, nausea, hunger, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, or trouble concentrating. Carry a piece of non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Also be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.
Also watch for signs of blood sugar that is too high (hyperglycemia). These symptoms include increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry skin, and dry mouth. Check your blood sugar levels and ask your doctor how to adjust your insulin doses if needed.
Never share an injection pen or cartridge with another person. Sharing injection pens or cartridges can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.Insulin is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.
Do not change the brand of insulin or syringe you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Some brands of insulin regular and syringes are interchangeable, while others are not. Your doctor and/or pharmacist know which brands can be substituted for one another.What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using insulin regular?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Before using insulin regular, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including any oral (by mouth) diabetes medications.
Insulin regular is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.
Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether insulin regular passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.How should I use insulin regular?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Insulin regular is given as an injection (shot) under your skin. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will give you specific instructions on how and where to inject this medicine. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Choose a different place in your injection skin area each time you use this medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
Insulin regular should look as clear as water. Do not use the medication if has changed colors, looks cloudy, or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Some insulin needles can be used more than once, depending on needle brand and type. But a reused needle must be properly cleaned, recapped, and inspected for bending or breakage. Reusing needles also increases your risk of infection. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you are able to reuse your insulin needles.
Do not change the brand of insulin or syringe you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Some brands of insulin regular and syringes are interchangeable, while others are not. Your doctor and/or pharmacist know which brands can be substituted for one another. Never share an injection pen or cartridge with another person. Sharing injection pens or cartridges can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.Check your blood sugar carefully during a time of stress or illness, if you travel, exercise more than usual, or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your insulin dose needs may also change.
Watch for signs of blood sugar that is too high (hyperglycemia). These symptoms include increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry skin, and dry mouth. Check your blood sugar levels and ask your doctor how to adjust your insulin doses if needed.
Ask your doctor how to adjust your insulin regular dose if needed. Do not change your dose without first talking to your doctor. Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you have diabetes, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are diabetic. Storing unopened vials and cartridges: Keep in the carton and store in a refrigerator, protected from light. Unopened vials may also be stored at room temperature, away from heat and bright light.Storing after your first use: Keep the "in-use" vials or cartridges at room temperature.
Do not freeze insulin regular, and throw away the medication if it has become frozen.
Throw away any insulin not used before the expiration date on the medicine label.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since insulin regular is used before meals or snacks, you may not be on a timed dosing schedule. Whenever you use insulin regular, be sure to eat a meal or snack within 15 to 30 minutes. Do not use extra insulin to make up a missed dose.
It is important to keep insulin regular on hand at all times. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An insulin overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
What should I avoid while using insulin regular?
Do not change the brand of insulin regular or syringe you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Avoid drinking alcohol. Your blood sugar may become dangerously low if you drink alcohol while using insulin regular.Insulin regular side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of insulin allergy: itching skin rash over the entire body, wheezing, trouble breathing, fast heart rate, sweating, or feeling like you might pass out.Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect of insulin. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, nausea, hunger, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, trouble concentrating, confusion, or seizure (convulsions). Watch for signs of low blood sugar. Carry a piece of non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar.
Tell your doctor if you have itching, swelling, redness, or thickening of the skin where you inject insulin.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Insulin regular Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Gestational Diabetes:
Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin and is generally injected subcutaneously 2-5 times daily within 30-60 minutes before a meal.
Insulin dosage should be individualized to achieve/maintain a target blood glucose level and is determined by various factors including body weight, body fat, physical activity, insulin sensitivity, blood glucose levels, and target blood glucose.
Conventional regimen: The total daily insulin dose is administered as a mixture of rapid/short-acting and intermediate-acting insulins in 1-2 injections. Twice daily injections are preferred for better glycemic control. With the 2-injection regimen, generally two-thirds of the daily dose is given before breakfast and one-third is given before the evening meal.
Intensive regimen: The total daily dose is administered as 3 or more injections or by continuous subcutaneous infusion to cover basal and pre-meal bolus insulin requirements. The basal requirement is approximately 30-50% of the total dose, given as intermediate or long-acting insulin (NPH, zinc, extended zinc, lispro-protamine, glargine), 1-2 times daily. Meal boluses are approximately 50-70% of the total dose, given as rapid/short-acting insulin (regular, aspart, lispro) 2-5 times daily before meals. Common regimens include injections of rapid/short acting insulin before each meal along with injections of intermediate or long-acting insulin in the morning and/or evening. Dosage adjustments are made to achieve target blood glucose levels and are based on frequent blood glucose measurements, diet and exercise levels.
Total daily insulin requirements:
Initial dose: 0.5-0.8 unit/kg/day subcutaneously
Honeymoon phase: 0.2-0.5 unit/kg/day subcutaneously
Split dose therapy: 0.5-1.2 unit/kg/day subcutaneously
Insulin resistance: 0.7-2.5 units/kg/day subcutaneously
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Mellitus Type I:
Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin and is generally injected subcutaneously 2-5 times daily within 30-60 minutes before a meal.
Insulin dosage should be individualized to achieve/maintain a target blood glucose level and is determined by various factors including body weight, body fat, physical activity, insulin sensitivity, blood glucose levels, and target blood glucose.
Conventional regimen: The total daily insulin dose is administered as a mixture of rapid/short-acting and intermediate-acting insulins in 1-2 injections. Twice daily injections are preferred for better glycemic control. With the 2-injection regimen, generally two-thirds of the daily dose is given before breakfast and one-third is given before the evening meal.
Intensive regimen: The total daily dose is administered as 3 or more injections or by continuous subcutaneous infusion to cover basal and pre-meal bolus insulin requirements. The basal requirement is approximately 30-50% of the total dose, given as intermediate or long-acting insulin (NPH, zinc, extended zinc, lispro-protamine, glargine), 1-2 times daily. Meal boluses are approximately 50-70% of the total dose, given as rapid/short-acting insulin (regular, aspart, lispro) 2-5 times daily before meals. Common regimens include injections of rapid/short acting insulin before each meal along with injections of intermediate or long-acting insulin in the morning and/or evening. Dosage adjustments are made to achieve target blood glucose levels and are based on frequent blood glucose measurements, diet and exercise levels.
Total daily insulin requirements:
Initial dose: 0.5-0.8 unit/kg/day subcutaneously
Honeymoon phase: 0.2-0.5 unit/kg/day subcutaneously
Split dose therapy: 0.5-1.2 unit/kg/day subcutaneously
Insulin resistance: 0.7-2.5 units/kg/day subcutaneously
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Mellitus Type II:
Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin and should be injected within 30-60 minutes before a meal.
Diet and lifestyle modifications are recommended as initial treatment for type II diabetes, followed by oral agents. Insulin may be considered if patients are very hyperglycemic or symptomatic and/or not controlled with oral agents. Insulin may exacerbate obesity, further increase insulin resistance, and increase the frequency of hypoglycemia.
Insulin dosage should be individualized to achieve/maintain a target blood glucose level and is determined by various factors including body weight, body fat, physical activity, insulin sensitivity, blood glucose levels, and target blood glucose.
Conventional regimen:
Initial dose, monotherapy: Total daily requirement: 0.1 unit/kg/day subcutaneously. When insulin is used alone, twice daily injections are recommended for better glycemic control. The total daily insulin dose is administered as a mixture of rapid/short-acting and intermediate-acting insulins in 1-2 injections. With the 2-injection regimen, generally two-thirds of the daily dose is given before breakfast and one-third is given before the evening meal. Once daily injections are sometimes used in children with suboptimal compliance; however, this may lead to more nocturia, fasting hyperglycemia, morning glucosuria, and a risk of ketoacidosis if the doses are missed.
Maintenance dose, monotherapy: Total daily insulin requirements may progress to 1.5-2.5 units/kg or higher in patients with obesity and insulin resistance.
Intensive regimen:
The necessity for and efficacy of intensive insulin therapy in type II diabetes has been controversial. The total daily dose is administered as 3 or more injections or by continuous subcutaneous infusion to cover basal and pre-meal bolus insulin requirements. This method may be appropriate for closely supervised and highly motivated older children or adolescents who are able to inject their insulin, monitor their blood glucose, and recognize hypoglycemia. The basal requirement is approximately 30-50% of the total dose, given as intermediate or long-acting insulin (NPH, zinc, extended zinc, lispro-protamine, glargine), 1-2 times daily. Meal boluses are approximately 50-70% of the total dose, given as rapid/short-acting insulin (regular, aspart, lispro) 2-5 times daily before meals. Common regimens include injections of rapid/short acting insulin before each meal along with injections of intermediate or long-acting insulin in the morning and/or evening. Dosage adjustments are made to achieve target blood glucose levels and are based on frequent blood glucose measurements, diet and exercise levels.
Initial dose, monotherapy: 0.5-1.5 unit/kg/day subcutaneously.
Maintenance dose, monotherapy: Total daily insulin requirements may progress to 2.5 units/kg or higher in patients with obesity and insulin resistance.
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetic Ketoacidosis:
Begin after intravenous fluid/electrolyte therapy has been initiated:
Initial dose: 10-20 units IV or 20 units IM or 0.1 unit/kg IM or IV.
Maintenance dose: 0.1 unit/kg/hour by continuous IV infusion in normal saline; monitor blood glucose hourly and adjust rate to gradually decrease plasma glucose. Usual range is 0.05-0.2 units/kg/hour. Switch patients to subcutaneous insulin after recovery from the acute episode.
or
5-10 units IM hourly
or
0.5-4 units/hour by continuous IV infusion to achieve a maximal blood glucose decrease of 50 mg/dL/hour.
Usual Adult Dose for Growth Hormone Reserve Test:
0.05-1.5 units/kg one time by rapid IV push. Monitor patient closely.
Usual Adult Dose for Hyperkalemia:
Begin after administration of calcium gluconate and sodium bicarbonate IV:
10-20 units IV once with 25-50 g dextrose.
Usual Adult Dose for Insulin Resistance:
Total daily insulin requirements range from 0.7 to 2.5 units/kg. Concentrated insulin (500 units/mL) may be used for patients taking more than 200 units/day to allow for reasonable subcutaneous dose volumes.
Usual Adult Dose for Nonketotic Hyperosmolar Syndrome:
Begin after intravenous fluid therapy has been initiated:
Initial dose: 5-10 units or 0.1 unit/kg IV once
Maintenance dose: 0.05-0.1 unit/kg/hour by continuous IV infusion. Monitor vital signs, cardiovascular status, I/O, and plasma glucose and potassium levels. Add potassium to the IV to correct hypokalemia. Add dextrose to the IV once glucose levels reach 250 mg/dL to avoid hypoglycemia. Switch patients to subcutaneous insulin therapy after recovery from the acute episode.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Diabetes Mellitus Type I:
Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin and is generally injected subcutaneously 2-5 times daily within 30-60 minutes before a meal.
Insulin dosage should be individualized to achieve/maintain a target blood glucose level and is determined by various factors including body weight, body fat, physical activity, insulin sensitivity, blood glucose levels, and target blood glucose.
Conventional regimen: The total daily insulin dose is administered as a mixture of rapid/short-acting and intermediate-acting insulins in 1-2 injections. Twice daily injections are recommended for better glycemic control. With the 2-injection regimen, generally two-thirds of the daily dose is given before breakfast and one-third is given before the evening meal. Once daily injections are sometimes used in children with suboptimal compliance; however, this may lead to more nocturia, fasting hyperglycemia, morning glucosuria, and a risk of ketoacidosis if the doses are missed.
Intensive regimen: The total daily dose is administered as 3 or more injections or by continuous subcutaneous infusion to cover basal and pre-meal bolus insulin requirements. This method may be appropriate for closely supervised and highly motivated older children or adolescents who are able to inject their insulin, monitor their blood glucose, and recognize hypoglycemia. The basal requirement is approximately 30-50% of the total dose, given as intermediate or long-acting insulin (NPH, zinc, extended zinc, glargine), 1-2 times daily. Meal boluses are approximately 50-70% of the total dose, given as rapid/short-acting insulin (regular, lispro) 2-5 times daily before meals. Common regimens include injections of rapid/short acting insulin before each meal along with injections of intermediate or long-acting insulin in the morning and/or evening. Dosage adjustments are made to achieve target blood glucose levels and are based on frequent blood glucose measurements, diet and exercise levels.
Total daily insulin requirements:
Initial dose: 0.5-0.8 unit/kg/day subcutaneously
Honeymoon phase: 0.2-0.5 unit/kg/day subcutaneously
Split dose therapy: 0.5-1.2 unit/kg/day subcutaneously
Adolescents during growth spurts. 0.8-1.5 units/kg/day subcutaneously
Usual Pediatric Dose for Diabetes Mellitus Type II:
Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin and should be injected within 30-60 minutes before a meal.
Diet and lifestyle modifications are recommended as initial treatment for type II diabetes, followed by oral agents (metformin). Insulin may be considered if children are very hyperglycemic or symptomatic and/or not controlled with oral agents. Insulin may exacerbate obesity, further increase insulin resistance, and increase the frequency of hypoglycemia.
Insulin dosage should be individualized to achieve/maintain a target blood glucose level and is determined by various factors including body weight, body fat, physical activity, insulin sensitivity, blood glucose levels, and target blood glucose.
Conventional regimen:
Initial dose, monotherapy: Total daily requirement: 0.1 unit/kg/day subcutaneously. When insulin is used alone, twice daily injections are recommended for better glycemic control. The total daily insulin dose is administered as a mixture of rapid/short-acting and intermediate-acting insulins in 1-2 injections. With the 2-injection regimen, generally two-thirds of the daily dose is given before breakfast and one-third is given before the evening meal. Once daily injections are sometimes used in children with suboptimal compliance; however, this may lead to more nocturia, fasting hyperglycemia, morning glucosuria, and a risk of ketoacidosis if the doses are missed.
Maintenance dose, monotherapy: Total daily insulin requirements may progress to 1.5-2.5 units/kg or higher in patients with obesity and insulin resistance.
Intensive regimen:
The necessity for and efficacy of intensive insulin therapy in type II diabetes has been controversial. The total daily dose is administered as 3 or more injections or by continuous subcutaneous infusion to cover basal and pre-meal bolus insulin requirements. This method may be appropriate for closely supervised and highly motivated older children or adolescents who are able to inject their insulin, monitor their blood glucose, and recognize hypoglycemia. The basal requirement is approximately 30-50% of the total dose, given as intermediate or long-acting insulin (NPH,zinc, extended zinc, glargine), 1-2 times daily. Meal boluses are approximately 50-70% of the total dose, given as rapid/short-acting insulin (regular, lispro) 2-5 times daily before meals. Common regimens include injections of rapid/short acting insulin before each meal along with injections of intermediate or long-acting insulin in the morning and/or evening. Dosage adjustments are made to achieve target blood glucose levels and are based on frequent blood glucose measurements, diet and exercise levels.
Initial dose, monotherapy: 0.5-1.5 unit/kg/day subcutaneously.
Maintenance dose, monotherapy: Total daily insulin requirements may progress to 2.5 units/kg or higher in patients with obesity and insulin resistance.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Diabetic Ketoacidosis:
<18 years:
Begin after intravenous fluid/electrolyte therapy has been initiated:
Initial dose: 0.1-0.25 unit/kg IM or IV
Maintenance dose: 0.1 unit/kg/hour by continuous IV infusion in normal saline or 0.05-0.1 unit/kg/hour by IM or subcutaneous injection. Monitor blood glucose hourly and adjust rate to gradually decrease plasma glucose. Usual range is 0.05-0.3 units/kg/hour. Switch patients to subcutaneous insulin after recovery from the acute episode.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Growth Hormone Reserve Test:
0.05-1.5 units/kg one time by rapid IV push. Monitor patient closely.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Hyperkalemia:
Begin after administration of calcium gluconate and sodium bicarbonate IV:
<18 years:
0.25-1 g/kg dextrose with 1 unit regular insulin per 3-5 g dextrose infused IV over 2 hours.
or
0.25-1 g/kg dextrose infused IV over 15-30 minutes, then give 0.1 unit/kg regular insulin subcutaneously or IV.
or
0.05-0.1 unit/kg/hour regular insulin infused IV with dextrose. 1 unit insulin per 1.9-3.9 g dextrose ratio has been used in premature infants. Adjust rate to target blood glucose level.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Insulin Resistance:
True insulin resistance is rare in children. Daily requirements may be greater than 2 units/kg. Extreme insulin resistance with insulin requirements greater than 10 units/kg/day has been reported in children with acanthosis nigricans and polycystic ovaries.
Concentrated insulin (500 units/mL) may be used for patients taking more than 200 units/day to allow for reasonable subcutaneous dose volumes.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Nonketotic Hyperosmolar Syndrome:
<18 years:
Begin after intravenous fluid therapy has been initiated:
Initial dose: 0.05-0.1 unit/kg IV once
Maintenance dose: 0.05 unit/kg/hour by continuous IV infusion. Monitor vital signs, cardiovascular status, I/O, and plasma glucose and potassium levels. Add potassium to the IV to correct hypokalemia. Add dextrose to the IV once glucose levels reach 250 mg/dL to avoid hypoglycemia. Switch patients to subcutaneous insulin therapy after recovery from the acute episode.
What other drugs will affect insulin regular?
Using certain medicines can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Tell your doctor if you use any of the following:
-
albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin);
-
clonidine (Catapres);
-
reserpine;
-
guanethidine (Ismelin); or
-
beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), timolol (Blocadren), and others.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about insulin regular.
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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insulin regular Drug Interactions
Compare insulin regular with other medications for the treatment of:
Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Diabetes, Type 1, Diabetes, Type 2, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Hyperkalemia, Gestational Diabetes, Growth Hormone Reserve Test, Nonketotic Hyperosmolar Syndrome
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