INSULIN
is a natural hormone made in the pancreas of healthy people. Many diabetics need injections of insulin regularly in order to control their blood sugar levels. Insulin was discovered by Frederick Banting and Charles Best in 1921 in Canada. This discovery revolutionized treatment of diabetes and prevention of its complications. It transformed Type 1
diabetes from a fatal to a treatable disease.People with Type 1 diabetes are usually totally dependent on insulin injections. Such people require daily administration of insulin. For them
insulin is a lifesaving medication. The majority of people suffering from diabetes have the non-insulin-dependent form. However, up to 30% of them may use insulin injections some, or all, of the time to
control their condition. There are various types of insulin and schedules that can be used. It is important that people who take insulin understand how insulin works, what
factors affect it's action, and what schedule will work best for them. Besure to buy the exact insulin prescribed by your doctor or diabetes educator. The action of insulin is noted by a large letter on each
bottle. The four types of insulin action are:
- Rapid - R or S
- Intermediate - L or N
- Long acting - U
- (Lilly) Humalog
NAME |
LETTER |
ONSET OF ACTION |
PEAK ACTION |
DURATION |
Regular |
R |
30mm. |
2-4hrs |
3-6hrs. |
Semilente |
S |
|
2-8hrs. |
10- l6hrs. |
NPH |
N |
2-4hrs. |
4-10 hrs. |
1O-l8hrs. |
Lente |
L |
2-4hrs. |
4-l2hrs. |
12-2Ohrs. |
UltraLente |
U |
6-l2hrs |
No Peak |
18-3Ohrs. |
70/30 |
70/30 |
It is pre mixed and works like 70% NPH and 30% Regular |
50/50 |
50/50 |
II is pre mixed and works like 50% NPH and 50% Regular |
Humalog |
Works so quickly, you should take it within 15 minutes before a meal.
Just a word of caution, Hypoglycemia may be a factor when using Humalog.
You can only get Humalog by prescription. |
- Pre-Mixed Insulins: 50/50 or 70/30 Combined Regular and NPH or Lente insulins.
- 50/50 is 50% NPH and 50% Regular
- 70/30 is 70% NPH and 30% Regular
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