Insulin - other

Question 1

NPSA alerts

Answer 1

• Dose must be prescribed in “units” (not U or IU).
• Never give IV syringe for SC injection (IV are in mL, not units)
• Check injection technique
• Always check insulin container, pen and needle size

Question 2

Storage

Answer 2

Fridge (between 2-8 degrees Celsius)
- Left outside fridge >48 hours = discard.
- Frozen = discard
Once opened, store at room temp for 28 days.

Question 3

Conversion

Answer 3

Beef to human = reduce dose by 10%
Pork to human = no change

Question 4

Insulin + surgery (type 1)

Answer 4

Night before = usual insulin
Day of surgery = IV glucose + potassium (if not hyperkalaemic) + IV soluble insulin with NaCl
- Infuse at a rate appropriate to patients fluid requirements e.g. reduce in elderly.
- Also continue long-acting insulin on day of surgery
Once patient eating/drinking = SC short acting before breakfast and stop IV 30 mins later