Types of Insulin

1. TYPES OF INSULIN WWW.INSULIN.STORE

2. Intermediate-acting insulin Intermediate-acting insulins are also referred to as isophane insulins. This type of insulin starts working 1-2 hours after injecting, its peak activity duration is 4-12 hours. Insulin isophane injection is used as a background diabetes treatment and is valued for its long-lasting effect. It should be Atwo times per day and keeps blood sugar level within the normal range between the meals. www.insulin.store

3. Short-acting insulin Short-acting insulin’s effect starts 30-60 minutes after injection. It means that when this time passes the glucose blood levels will begin to drop, which is why a person must eat something to avoid hypoglycemia. According to the information in the drug description, its onset peak lasts for about 2-5 hours. Short-acting insulins are often being called “regular”, their purpose is to substitute the after-meal insulin release. Humulin-R mimics the structure of regular human insulin and is designed to be taken a minimum of three times a day, 30 minutes before a meal. Its injection sites are the upper arm, the gluteal region, the tight, and the stomach area. It is important to alter injection sites from time to time to prevent and reduce the swelling reaction of the skin. In the case of children, elderly people, and pregnant women, Humulin-R must be taken under the supervision of the physician, as its side effects can be more pronounced within this demographiс. www.insulin.store

4. Intermediate-acting insulin Intermediate-acting insulins are also referred to as isophane insulins. This type of insulin starts working 1-2 hours after injecting, its peak activity duration is 4-12 hours. Insulin isophane injection is used as a background diabetes treatment and is valued for its long-lasting effect. It should be taken two times per day and keeps blood sugar level within the normal range between the meals. Long- and intermediate-acting insulins can be a good choice for people who go through their first-time diabetes treatment. These types of insulin generally require fewer injections per day than short- or rapid-acting insulins, making it easier for beginners to adjust. Humulin N is intermediate-acting insulin prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes. Its dose is dependent on the individual needs and metabolism of a patient and is defined by a doctor. Pens with Humulin N must not be frozen and must be stored in a dark place away from the sunlight. Both children and adults can be prescribed Humulin N. www.insulin.store

5. Long-acting insulin Long-acting insulins can be described as an advanced version of intermediate-lasting insulins in terms of their active duration. It is meant to be taken only once a day and this type of insulin provides a steady sugar level for up to 20-24 hours. Long-acting insulins are also known as “basal”. It is important to inject basal insulin with a disposable pen device each day at the same time. Levemir is the type of insulin suitable for both types of diabetes. The exception is children under the age of 2. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the injection must be paired with the use of additional rapid-acting or short-acting insulin before meals. Levemir must be injected 1-2 times a day, depending on the health condition of a patient. Like any other medication, Levemir can cause such side effects as swelling, hypoglycemia, and allergic reactions, which require notifying a healthcare provider. Tresiba is long-acting insulin meant to be injected once a day in the morning, at least 8 hours must pass before another injection. It is claimed to be the only background insulin which action duration is up to 48 hours. The daily dosage of Tresiba must be discussed with a physician, as well as possible contraindications. Rapid- or short-acting insulins must be combined with Tresiba and injected before each meal. Basaglar‘s onset time is several hours after the injection. The effect of this long-acting insulin remains even within approximately 24 hours, it can be prescribed to adults with both types of diabetes and to children over the age of 6 years with type 1 diabetes. Like Levemir and Tresiba, patients with type 1 diabetes must pair Basaglar with rapid- or short-acting insulin injected before eating. This insulin must not be used as a diabetic ketoacidosis treatment. www.insulin.store

6. Pre-mixed insulin In certain cases, such as type 1 diabetes, combining long-acting and rapid-acting insulins is required for the proper treatment. However, keeping the schedule can be challenging and sometimes confusing for patients. Pre-mixed insulin is a solution containing both those types of insulins, replacing two injections with just one. This insulin category still has disadvantages. Aside from common side effects, it is impossible to adjust the dose of both long- and rapid-lasting insulins in the mixture in order to match a person’s needs. Humalog Mix 75/25 is pre-mixed insulin which includes both rapid-acting insulin lispro and intermediate- acting insulin lispro protamine. Its components allow Humalog mix 75/25 to have a fairly faster onset time – 10-20 minutes. Humalog Mix 75/25 must be injected 15 minutes before eating. Its onset peak duration is 2 hours. This pre-mixed insulin remains effective within 24 hours and can be used by men and women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is necessary to mention that injections can be prescribed only to patients over 18 years old. www.insulin.store

7. To sum up, insulin is a basic and important part of diabetes treatment. Its use in medicine began almost 100 years ago. With time, animal insulin was replaced by synthetic, purified one, reducing the risk of allergic response. Before starting insulin treatment it’s important for a patient to first discuss it with a healthcare provider. A doctor decides which type of hormone is going to be best for their patient’s health and provides them with information concerning their condition. The choice of insulin category depends on a person’s metabolism, eating schedule, lifestyle, and even on their average stress level. Different types of insulin are available on the market. These medicines can be purchased from online market places that have a variety of insulin brands on display. The abundance of choice is very convenient for both doctors and patients. While all medications have their side effects, with time every person finds their ideal formula www.insulin.store

8. "Health is not valued till sickness comes" THOMAS FULLER www.insulin.store