Insulin Flashcards
Insulin
Categorized according to their strength, onset of action, duration, and species source
Insulin strength
Most patients use U-100 (U-40 and U-500 are available). The numeral following the “U” indicates the number of units of insulin per milliliter
Source of Insulin
All insulins currently on market are “semi-synthetic” or “human” insulin (using recombinant DNA technology ) Some products are referred to as human insulin identical to insulin produced in pancreas (Humulin R, Humulin N, Humulin 70/30); Other products, referred to as human insulin analogs, are modified forms of human insulin (Humalog, insulin lispro):
Rapid Acting***
Trade Name: Humalog (insulin lispro) Onset: 15-30 min. Peak: 0.5-2.5 hrs. Duration: 3-6.5 hrs.
Short Acting
Trade Name: Humulin R Regular Onset: 30-60 min. Peak: 1-5 hrs. Duration: 6-10 hrs.
Intermediate Acting
Trade Name: Humulin N Levemir Onset: 60-120 mins Peak: 6-14 hrs. Duration: 16-24 hrs.
Levemir
Onset: 6-8 hrs. Peak: 12-24 hours
Long Acting
Trade Name: Lantus Onset: 70 min. Peak: NONE Duration: 24 hrs.
what insulin is given now
humlin or humalog
effects of rapid acting
immediate effects so blood glucose will drop fast so pt need to eat. don’t want pt blood glucose to bottom out
how many units of insulin depends on
blood glucose level
patients can be on both
rapid acting and intermediate acting
Humalog (insulin lispro)
rapid acting; Can be injected immediately before eating instead of 30 minutes before meals
Humalog (insulin lispro) eliminated
more quickly than regular
Humalog (insulin lispro) effects
begin 15-30 minutes
Humalog (insulin lispro) has a closer
approximation to physiologic insulin release
which insulin has less nocturnal episodes of hypoglycemia than regular insulin
Humalog (insulin lispro)
Which insulin can you administer close to meal times
Humalog (insulin lispro); Closer administration to meal times within 5-10 minutes; even shortly after the meal if necessary
Humulin R/Regular
short acting
Humulin R/Regular administered
subQ and can be given IV for hyperglycemia emergencies
Humulin R/Regular is for
routine treatment, given subQ before meals to control postprandial hyperglycemia
Humulin R/Regular effects
begin in 30-60 minutes, peaks 1-5 hours and persists up to 10 hours