Insulin and mixtures

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone which can only be given by injection; it comes in either vials which hold 1000 units, 3 ml cartridges which hold 300 units, or prefi lled disposable 3 ml pens.

Storage

Insulin needs to be stored in the fridge until it is required and will last until the expiry date on the packet or bottle.  Insulin must not be frozen or heated as it will no longer work properly. Do not store your pen near a hot radiator or in direct sunlight as this will also affect the insulin.  The vial or cartridge in use can be kept out of the fridge. You must date the vial or cartridge and throw away any remaining insulin after six weeks.

Handy Hint

If insulin is given at room temperature rather than cold, it doesn't sting as much.

Types of Insulin

Soluble insulin:

(Actrapid or Humulin S)

Longer acting insulin:

(Insulatard or Humulin I)

Bolus Analogue:

(Insulin NovoRapid or Humalog Lispro)

Basal Analogue insulin:

(Detemir or Glargine)

This is fast acting and works within half an hour after injection.  Peak action 2 - 4 hours after injection.

Lasts up to 8 hours. It is clear.after

Medium or long acting. Works 1.5-2 hours after injection.

Peak action 6-10 hours after injection.

Lasts up to 15 hours. It is cloudy.

Clear insulin, very fast acting.

Works 5 minutes after injection.

Peak action 0.5 - 1 hour.

Lasts up to 4 hours. It is clear.

Insulin which lasts for up to 24 hours.

Given once (or twice) daily as a background insulin.

May be clear.

Mixtures

There are lots of different insulin mixtures made mostly by 2 main companies.  They are mostly mixtures of soluble and longer acting insulin. Always remember to rotate or tip the insulin 20 times to mix properly before use.

Can be given using a syringe, Novopen 3 (Classic, Fun or Demi), NovoPen Junior, Innovo, Innolet or Flexpens. The PenMate can also be used with all NovoPens.

This company also makes:

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