Classes
DEA Class; OTC
Common Brand Names; Humulin N, Novolin N
- Antidiabetics, Insulins;
- Antidiabetics, Intermediate-Acting Insulins
Description
Intermediate-acting insulin with a longer onset and duration of activity when compared to regular insulin
Used in adult and pediatric patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Usually requires 2 or more injections/day when used as a basal insulin along with rapid-acting prandial insulins
Indications
Indicated for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Contraindications
Hypoglycemia
Documented hypersensitivity reactions to product or excipients
Adverse Effects
Hypoglycemia
Lipodystrophy
Lipohypertrophy
Local allergic reaction
Hypokalemia
Muscle weakness
Paresthesia
Tremor
Edema
Pain
Itching
Nausea
Hunger
Numbness of mouth
Localized cutaneous amyloidosis
Warnings
Never share pen between patients even if needle is changed
Intermediate-acting insulin; do not use for circumstances that require rapid-acting insulin
Caution with decreased insulin requirements: Diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, malabsorption, hypothyroidism, renal impairment, hepatic impairment
Hypokalemia may occur
Not for IV or IM administration
Use with caution in renal and hepatic impairment (dosage requirements may be reduced)
Caution with increased insulin requirements: Fever, hyperthyroidism, trauma, infection, surgery
Thiazolidinediones are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonists and can cause dose-related fluid retention, particularly when used in combination with insulin; fluid retention may lead to or exacerbate heart failure; monitor for signs and symptoms of heart failure, treat accordingly, and consider discontinuing thiazolidinediones
When hyper-or hypoglycemia occurs, carry out changes in insulin regimen under close medical supervision; increase frequency of blood glucose monitoring
Accidental mix-ups between insulin products reported; to avoid medication errors between this and other insulins, instruct patients to always check insulin label before each injection
Pregnancy and Lactation
Available data from published studies over decades have not established association with human insulin use during pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal Outcomes
Available data from published literature suggests that exogenous human insulin products, are transferred into human milk
Maximum Dosage
How supplied
NPH, human insulin isophane rDNA origin
injectable suspension
- 100units/mL (3mL)
- 100units/mL (10mL)
