Insulin NPH and Insulin Regular Information
Pronunciation
IN soo lin N P H & IN soo lin REG yoo ler
What is this drug used for?
• It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).
Frequently reported side effects of this drug
• Injection site irritation
Other side effects of this drug: Talk with your doctor right away if you have any of these signs of:
• Low blood sugar like dizziness, headache, fatigue, feeling weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, increased hunger, or sweating.
• Low potassium like muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or an abnormal heartbeat.
• Anxiety
• Vision changes
• Chills
• Severe dizziness
• Passing out
• Mood changes
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Shortness of breath
• Excessive weight gain
• Swelling of arms or legs
• Injection site thick skin, pits, or lumps
• Signs of a significant reaction like wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Medication Safety Issues
Sound-alike/look-alike issues:
HumuLIN 70/30 may be confused with HumaLOG Mix 75/25, HumuLIN R, NovoLIN 70/30, NovoLOG Mix 70/30
NovoLIN 70/30 may be confused with HumaLOG Mix 75/25, HumuLIN 70/30, HumuLIN R, NovoLIN R, and NovoLOG Mix 70/30
High alert medication:
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) includes this medication among its list of drugs which have a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error. Due to the number of insulin preparations, it is essential to identify/clarify the type of insulin to be used.
Other safety concerns:
Cross-contamination may occur if insulin pens are shared among multiple patients. Steps should be taken to prohibit sharing of insulin pens.
Product Availability
Novolin 70/30 FlexPen: FDA approved June 2018; anticipated availability is currently unknown.
Storage and Stability
Humulin 70/30:
Vials: Store unopened vials in refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F) or at room temperature below 30°C (86°F). If stored at room temperature, the vial must be discarded after 31 days. Do not freeze; discard if frozen. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Once punctured (in use), vials may be stored for up to 31 days in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F) or at room temperature ≤30°C (≤86°F).
KwikPen: Store unopened pen in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F) or at room temperature below 30°C (86°F); if stored at room temperature, then unopened pen must be discarded after 10 days. Do not freeze; discard if frozen. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Once punctured (in use), pen should be stored at room temperature below 30°C (86°F) for up to 10 days; do not refrigerate in-use pens.
Novolin 70/30:
Vials: Store unopened vials in refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F) until product expiration date or at room temperature ≤25°C (≤77°F) for up to 42 days. Do not freeze; discard if frozen. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Once punctured (in use), store vials at room temperature ≤25°C (≤77°F) for up to 42 days; do not refrigerate in-use vials.
FlexPen: Store unopened pens in refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F) until product expiration date or at room temperature <30°C (≤86°F) for up to 28 days. Do not freeze; discard if frozen. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Once in use, store pens at room temperature ≤30°C (≤86°F) for up to 28 days; do not refrigerate in-use pens.
Canadian products: All products: Unopened vials, cartridges, and pens should be stored under refrigeration between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F) until the expiration date. Do not freeze; discard if frozen. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Once punctured (in use), Humulin vials, cartridges, and pens should be stored at room temperature <25°C (<77°F) for up to 4 weeks. Once punctured (in use), Novolin ge vials, cartridges, and pens may be stored for up to 1 month at room temperature <25°C (<77°F) for vials or <30°C (<86°F) for pens/cartridges; do not refrigerate.
Adverse Reactions
See individual agents. Frequency not defined.
Cardiovascular: Peripheral edema
Dermatologic: Pruritus
Endocrine & metabolic: Hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, weight gain
Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity reaction
Immunologic: Immunogenicity
Local: Hypertrophy at injection site, lipoatrophy at injection site
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