insulin injection

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insulin, regular (insulin injection)

Humulin R, Humulin-R Regular U-500 (concentrate), Insulin-Toronto (CA)

insulin (lispro)

Humalog, Humalog Pen

insulin glulisine, recombinant

Apidra, Apidra SoloSTAR

insulin lispro protamine, human

Humalog Mix 50/50, Humalog Mix 75/25

isophane insulin suspension (NPH insulin)

Humulin N, Novolin N

isophane insulin suspension (NPH) and insulin injection (regular)

Humulin 70/30 (70% isophane insulin and 30% insulin injection), Humulin 70/30 PenFill, Novolin 70/30, Novolin 70/30 PenFill

Pharmacologic class: Pancreatic hormone

Therapeutic class: Hypoglycemic

Pregnancy risk category B


Promotes glucose transport, which stimulates carbohydrate metabolism in skeletal and cardiac muscle and adipose tissue. Also promotes phosphorylation of glucose in liver, where it is converted to glycogen. Directly affects fat and protein metabolism, stimulates protein synthesis, inhibits release of free fatty acids, and indirectly decreases phosphate and potassium.


Glulisine, recombinant: 100 units/ml in 10-ml vials, 100 units/ml in 3-ml cartridge system, 100 units/ml in 3-ml prefilled pen

Isophane suspension, injection (regular): 70 units NPH and 30 units regular insulin/ml (100 units/ml total), 50 units NPH and 50 units regular insulin/ml (100 units/ml total)

Isophane suspension (NPH insulin): 100 units/ml

Lispro: 100 units/ml in 10-ml vials and 1.5-ml cartridges

Regular insulin injection: 100 units/ml

Regular U-500 (concentrated), insulin human injection: 500 units/ml

Zinc suspension, extended (ultralente): 100 units/ml

Zinc suspension (lente insulin): 100 units/ml

Indications and dosages

Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus; type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus unresponsive to diet and oral hypoglycemics

Adults and children: In newly diagnosed diabetes, total of 0.5 to 1 unit/kg/day subcutaneously as part of multidose regimen of short- and long-acting insulin. Dosage individualized based on patient's glucose level, adjusted to premeal and bedtime glucose levels. Reserve concentrated insulin (500 units/ml) for patients requiring more than 200 units/day.

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Adults and children: Loading dose of 0.15 units/kg (nonconcentrated regular insulin) I.V. bolus, followed by continuous infusion of 0.1 unit/kg/hour until glucose level drops. Then administer subcutaneously, adjusting dosage according to glucose level.


• Hypersensitivity to drug or its components

• Hypoglycemia


Use cautiously in:

• hepatic or renal impairment, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism

• elderly patients

• pregnant or breastfeeding patients

• children.


Be aware that insulin is a high-alert drug whether given subcutaneously or I.V.

Don't give insulin I.V. (except nonconcentrated regular insulin), because anaphylactic reaction may occur.

• When mixing two types of insulin, draw up regular insulin into syringe first.

• For I.V. infusion, mix regular insulin only with normal or half-normal saline solution, as prescribed, to yield a concentration of 1 unit/ml. Give every 50 units I.V. over at least 1 minute.

• Rotate subcutaneous injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy.

• Administer mixtures of regular and NPH or regular and lente insulins within 5 to 15 minutes of mixing.

Adverse reactions

Metabolic: hypokalemia, sodium retention, hypoglycemia, rebound hyperglycemia (Somogyi effect)

Skin: urticaria, rash, pruritus

Other: edema; lipodystrophy; lipohypertrophy; erythema, stinging, or warmth at injection site; allergic reactions including anaphylaxis


Drug-drug. Acetazolamide, albuterol, antiretrovirals, asparaginase, calcitonin, corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, danazol, dextrothyroxine, diazoxide, diltiazem, diuretics, dobutamine, epinephrine, estrogens, hormonal contraceptives, isoniazid, morphine, niacin, phenothiazines, phenytoin, somatropin, terbutaline, thyroid hormones: decreased hypoglycemic effect

Anabolic steroids, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium, chloroquine, clofibrate, clonidine, disopyramide, fluoxetine, guanethidine, mebendazole, MAO inhibitors, octreotide, oral hypoglycemics, phenylbutazone, propoxyphene, pyridoxine, salicylates, sulfinpyrazone, sulfonamides, tetracyclines: increased hypoglycemic effect

Beta-adrenergic blockers (nonselective): masking of some hypoglycemia symptoms, delayed recovery from hypoglycemia

Lithium carbonate: decreased or increased hypoglycemic effect

Pentamidine: increased hypoglycemic effect, possibly followed by hyperglycemia

Drug-diagnostic tests. Glucose, inorganic phosphate, magnesium, potassium: decreased levels

Liver and thyroid function tests: interference with test results

Urine vanillylmandelic acid: increased level

Drug-herbs. Basil, burdock, glucosamine, sage: altered glycemic control Chromium, coenzyme Q10, dandelion, eucalyptus, fenugreek, marshmallow: increased hypoglycemic effect

Garlic, ginseng: decreased blood glucose level

Drug-behaviors. Alcohol use: increased hypoglycemic effect

Marijuana use: increased blood glucose level

Smoking: increased blood glucose level, decreased response to insulin

Patient monitoring

• Monitor glucose level frequently to assess drug efficacy and appropriateness of dosage.

• Watch blood glucose level closely if patient is converting from one insulin type to another or is under unusual stress (as from surgery or trauma).

Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. Keep glucose source at hand in case hypoglycemia occurs.

Assess for signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia, such as polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, and diabetic ketoacidosis (as shown by blood and urinary ketones, metabolic acidosis, extremely elevated blood glucose level).

• Monitor for glycosuria.

• Closely evaluate kidney and liver function test results in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.

Patient teaching

• Teach patient how to administer insulin subcutaneously as appropriate.

• Advise patient to draw up regular insulin into syringe first when mixing two types of insulin. Caution him not to change order of mixing insulins.

• Instruct patient to rotate subcutaneous injection sites and keep a record of sites used, to prevent fatty tissue breakdown.

Teach patient how to recognize and report signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Advise him to carry a glucose source at all times.

• Instruct patient to store insulin in refrigerator (not freezer).

• Teach patient how to monitor and record blood glucose level and, if indicated, urine glucose and ketone levels.

• Tell patient that dietary changes, activity, and stress can alter blood glucose level and insulin requirements.

• Instruct patient to wear medical identification stating that he is diabetic and takes insulin.

• Advise patient to have regular medical, vision, and dental exams.


in·su·lin in·jec·tion

a preparation that usually contains 100 USP insulin units per mL; it is administered subcutaneously, occasionally intravenously, and has a rapid onset of action, has a brief duration (5-7 hours), and is compatible for mixing with long-acting insulin preparations; used to treat diabetic acidosis and insulin coma.

in·su·lin in·jec·tion

(insŭ-lin in-jekshŭn)
Preparation that usually contains 100 USP insulin units per mL; it is administered subcutaneously; occasionally intravenously; has rapid onset of action; and brief duration (5-7 hours). Used to treat diabetic acidosis and insulin coma.
References in periodicals archive ?
The current study was carried out to assess the level of knowledge about insulin injection techniques in diabetic patients and to scrutinize the common error in injecting techniques.
In the study by Gulam et al29 insulin injections were perceived as painful by 44.3% and injection phobia was reported in 33.5% of patients.
###Greater insulin sensitivity and need for smaller###Multiple subcutaneous insulin injection (basal-bolus) regimen or CSII
Self-administered questionnaire was developed to assess insulin injection practice of nurses through insulin pen and was based on new insulin delivery recommendation [26].
Haworth, "Localized cutaneous amyloid at an insulin injection site," Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, vol.
Plasma cortisol concentrations were significantly increased 45 to 90 min after the insulin injection (Figure 3A), but the levels remained unchanged after the glucose injection (Figure 3B).
Just over two-fifths of the patients were dependent upon others to inject their insulin while nearly two-thirds were not sure about their insulin injection technique.
In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to make insulin and patients need insulin injections. In Type 2 diabetes, the cells don't repond to insulin and cannot absorb the glucose in the blood.
With our new Guardian Connect system, we've continued to innovate so we can deliver these insights for people with diabetes on insulin injection therapy," said Annette Brls, president, Diabetes Service and Solutions at Medtronic.
Rachel said: "Jac needs his blood glucose monitored and one insulin injection at lunchtime before his food.
Before he eats, Jonathan's dad gives him his first insulin injection into his right arm.