Humulin R
Humulin R questions and answers
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Q: can humulin r and lantis be mixed?
my sister in law wants to know if you can mix humulin r and lantis? i personally dont know about insulin but she called and told me to look it up on the internet. thanks
A: lantis should NOT be mixed with anything
Q: Insulins: Humulin 70/30 & Humulin R?
Can Humulin 70/30 sub cu. once a day adn Humulin R sub cu. by sliding scale q.i.d. be mixed together?
A: Humulin 70/30 is 70% Humulin N and 30% Humulin R. When I switched from a mixture of about 80% Lilly Ultralente and 20% Semilente once a day in 1993, my doctor put me on Humulin N and Humulin R in the morning and Humulin 70/30 in the evening. I've always been sliding scale, since 1955. My mom had three semesters of medical school, so she had the knowledge to adjust my insulin dosage. I started determining my dosage when I was 14. I stopped taking the Humulin R in the morning 2 or 3 years ago. I've always been sensitive to regular insulin, and my sensitivity has increased since I've been post-menopausal, although every now and then I still have indications of a monthly hormonal cycle. The phase of the moon effects me a lot more.
Q: is there a difference between INSULINS (short acting) Novolin R, Humulin R and insulin, regular?
Just curious if there is a difference and if so what is it?
im not taking insulin by the way. I am studying pharmacology for Rn school. The instructors have asked us to study insulin over the holidays and get ready to be tested in January. In our book it shows insulin short acting and insulin Reg with the name Novolin R and Humulin R. Just trying to differentiate.
A: Like Regular, Humalog and Novolog are used to cover meals and snacks. Most meals raise the blood sugar for only 2 to 3 hours afterwards. Once injected, Regular insulin takes 30 minutes to begin working, peaks between 2 and 4 hours and hangs on for 6 to 8 hours, long after the meal stopped raising the blood sugar. Humalog and Novolog, on the other hand, begin working in about 10 minutes, peaks at one to one and a half hours and are gone in about three and a half to four hours.
Many people who've tried these faster insulins report that their control is improved and that they feel better. The great advantage of fast insulins are that they match the "action time" for most meals. You can take them as you begin eating, rather than the 30 to 45 minutes prior to eating required of Regular. No longer do you need to accurately anticipate when you (or your young child with diabetes) will begin eating. In addition, Humalog and Novolog leave your body faster so you don't have residual insulin causing low blood sugars in the late afternoon or, even worse, in the middle of the night.
For most meals, fast insulins will be lowering the blood sugar at the same time the food is raising it. The rise in the blood sugar seen in the couple of hours after eating is much lower, especially with Novolog, and by the end of three hours the blood sugar is often back to its starting point.
With Humalog or Novolog, you're better equipped to prevent spiking blood sugar between meals, while avoiding the lows that result from the combined buildup of Regular and long-acting insulins. The new Lantus insulin is an excellent choice when using these fast insulins to cover meals. The clearly defined action times for the fast insulins makes it easier to correctly adjust meal doses.
Humalog and Novolog are also excellent insulins to use to lower high blood sugars. Their faster action means that less time is spent at high blood sugar levels, and there will be less residual insulin triggering low blood sugars later.
Humalog is produced by Lilly and was first released in the U.S. in 1996, while Novolog is made by Novo Nordisk and was released in 2001. Both insulins offer quicker action time than the original "short-acting" Regular insulin, which first became available in 1921. However, users also report significant differences in activity between each of the three insulins. Let's first look at these differences.
Q: which is the best insulin Humulin R or Humulin 30/70?
I hear 30/70 last longer
A: it depends on what you are using it for
humulin r is only rapid acting insulin that is used for bolus and pumping, whereas the 30/70 is a mix that contains humulin r and a longer acting insulin.
also, it depends on your body, how it reacts to the insulin, so the best person to ask this question is an endocrinologist, a specialist in the endocrine system, which the pancreas belongs to, so most endocrinologists are experts in diabetes treatment.
Q: has anyone ever used Humulin R with insulin pump?
right now i use Novolog, but i am pretty much out of it and my insurance doesn't kick back in until June 1st. ive talked to my doctor's office and they said they can't give me anything because i haven't been to them in a year. so i just need something to get me through at least a week until my doctor's appointment on the 3rd. till then my only option is the over the counter insulin. my perscription has also expiered, so i can't even pay out of pocket......has anyone else ever switched to Humulin temporarily? i take 1.00 an hour of Novolog.
yes, VERY frustrating when they told me they couldn't give me anything because i technically im not a patient of theirs anymore ..even though im on file!! and have an appoinment in less than a week!! when i was a patient, they had no problem giving me free stuff every now and then. i may not be their patient, but im STILL a diabetic!!the medical system is really messed up when it comes to people with chronic illnesses. i didn't ask for diabetes!
thanks to everyone for the advice and understanding. but here is an update. i called my doctor one last time to tell them i had no choice but to go on Humulin R. they called back and said, "No, don't get that stuff. come in and get some samples." .... Was that so hard?!?! lol... he said to make sure i come in for my next appointment. (well, duh!i need a new prescription!) so im thanking God for coming through for me. but it shouldn't have had to pull teeth to get something i need from my own doctor. anywho... for now, all is right with the world. =) thanks again!
A: yes you can. we have.
Damn, they wouldn't give you one vial to carry you over to your appt, huh? Talk about the punishment not fitting the crime! I've heard of punishment by death but I thought we did away with that shortly after medieval times.
Q: Type 2 diabetes - Humulin?
What is the advantage of combination Humulin 70/30 and Humulin R?What is the advantage of combination drug therapy for type 2 diabetes?
A: There really is no advantage to that particular combination.
If you are on insulin, it doesn't matter if you are type 1 or type 2, mixed insulins are not the best way to go. They are an outdated treatment option.
Combinations of 2 insulins are necessary if you want good control and less complications, but you need to take them separately so YOU can control when you eat and how many carbs, instead of the insulin dictacting what and when you must eat.
Humilin 70/30 is a mixed insulin. It gives unpredictable results if you don't eat the same thing at the same time every single day.
Also, if you happen to inject it without mixing it well enough, you can go high or low because you get too much of one and not enough of the other.
Look into Lantus and Levemir. Either one is a good basal insulin that will keep your background blood sugar down.
For meals, you need another insulin to deal with the carbs you ingest. This can be a fast insulin like Humulin R or Novorapid.
I use Lantus for background insulin, (basal), and at mealtimes I use Novorapid (bolus).
Since switching from a mixed insulin (NPH) and rapid insulin (Novorapid) , to a basal (Lantus) and rapid insulin (NovoRapid), I have far less episodes of hypoglycemia, and far fewer headaches.
My schedual is more flexible, and I can control what I eat, when and how much. I am no longer driven by extreme hunger, caused by too much insulin hitting my bloodstream at the wrong time.
I hope this information helps, good luck!
Q: Why does Insulin make you gain weight?
I'm eating healthier and leaner now than I did last year before I went on insulin. Im on Lantus and Humulin R. I've gained 25 lbs and still climbing. Are there any insulins that don't make you gain weight?
A: Insulin lowers glucose through several mechanisms. One is to stimulate the conversion of glucose into fat. This is why Type 1 diabetics typically lose weight before diagnosis - less insulin means less fat storage. This is also why type 2 is typically overweight. Their bodies are resistant to insulin, so the body produces more insulin. More insulin means more fat. I believe the new Levemir insulin causes less weight gain than the Lantus, but I have not seen anyone on it, so that's all I can say. What I can say, is that Byetta has been shown to help lose weight, and it does not carry the risk of low sugar. it is still an injected drug, but weight gain is not an issue. Talk to the doc about it. He may be willing to put you on byetta (assuming your insurance will cover it of course - meds only help if you can afford them!)(also assuming you are type 2. if you are type 1, ask about the levemir)
Q: Is anybody on an insulin pump and what kind of insulin do you use in yours? Have you gained alot of weight?
I am using one and I use Humulin R U-500 insulin. I have gained a tremendous amount of weight.
A: i also have an insulin pump, a minimed, and am using R-Novolog insulin..U-100...never heard of the 500. i did gain weight after starting on it, and was told that people do tend to put on some weight after beginning pump therapy. it is usually caused by the more flexible lifestyle that u can lead with a pump. since bolus's can be adjusted easier, it is easier to eat extra helpings or make choices that u wouldn't have made before. another reason could be that your basal rate is set too high. my doctor told me that you should not be having low blood sugars based on the basal rate..the bs should only be adjusted based on your bolus's..does that make sense? in other words, if you are eating extra to keep up with the basal rate, it may be set too high. think back prior to the pump...were u eating less? or were u started on the pump right at the onset of your diabetes diagnosis? if so..your weight may have been down because your blood sugar was not in control..and now it is..just a couple of ideas..if you haven't seen a dietician for a while, maybe you should keep a journal of what you are eating...every bite, lol..and show the dietician..surely, he or she can give you some ideas on what may be going wrong..i know, weight control is a frustrating issue, and maybe that will help. good luck!!
Q: Are there any alternative treatments/cures for Diabetes?
In 1995 I suffered from acute pancreatitis. Surgeons removed 90% of my pancreas and this left me Type 2 diabetic. I was doing fine on pills until this past december my Endocrinologist decided to put me on Humulin R(about 15 units before meals) and and later on added Lantus(about 55 units 2x day) Insulins. In addition I've eaten healthier but I've gained about 20lbs. I really hate this and I want to get off insulin but doctors tell me that i had been using the pills (glyburide/metformin < and other variants of all these before that> and Actos) for too long and its not healthy for my liver. I'd prefer to not be on insulin dependency. I know there are stem cell studies and other research going on. But is there anything else I should be looking into ? Is insulin safe? The ingredients are horrific!
Has anyone had success with other methods???
I live in Arizona I'm a 44 year old male.
Thanks for your help.
A: For type I and type II diabetics...
I've found a wonderful book that will help you control your diabetes and minimize or even eliminate the complications. Some folks who became diabetic due to poor diet and obesity are effectively cured by following the advice in this book. I'm a type II, but it helps all types, especially those who became diabetic due to poor eating habits. It's by an author who has really done his homework, Patrick Quillin, Phd. I have tried his suggestions and found them to be very helpful. I have no complications whatsoever and my blood sugar levels are quite stable. Yes, I still have to take Metformin (Glucophage) daily, but it's the minimum dosage (500mg) and I only have to take it twice a day. I have been off Metformin for as much as a week, but this was with vigorous exercise. Many, what I call, non-hereditary type IIs (those that don't have a recent relative who had it) have gotten off medication completely, just with diet, exercise, and supplements. So, in some instances, it most certainly can be 'effectively' cured.
The book explains what's going on in our system and what to do about it. It's really easy and inexpensive. It's basically diet, supplements and exercise. For example, did you know that cinnamon helps blood sugar absorbtion? It also controls cholesterol and triglycerides. This is according to the USDA: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/fnrb/fnrb0104.htm#pinch
For men: Are you suffering from erectile dysfunction? I was. Yes, WAS. Now that everything's under control, I'm able to have nearly normal sex again.
Read more about it here:
http://www.diabetesimprovement.com/
I've also put together a little webpage highlighting some of the things I've learned here: http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/Type_II_Diabetes.html
Here's another great health site with all kinds of general health information:
http://www.chetday.com
Q: What type of insulin do you use?
how many different kinds and how many times a day? i take 2 a day,im on humulin 70/30 and humulin r
A: My insulin pump is always filled with Novolog. I use about 30 units a day. Before the pump I was taking 6 to 8 needles a day and using NPH and Regular insulin.
Q: what insulin units on sliding scale mean?
You are also to give Humulin-R insulin 8 units (according to the sliding scale) and Humulin 70/30 insulin 36 units sub cu. q.am
A: To me, this means that you need to be able to count the number of grams of carbohydrates that you will eat at each meal, and inject an amount of insulin that will be able to handle that amount.
This is often expressed as a ratio - such as 1 unit of insulin for each 5 grams of carbohydrates, or 1 for each 10 grams. You can end up injecting a different amount of insulin at each meal depending on what you will be eating.
That requires two very important things, however:
1) that you have been given proper education by a diabetes educator on how to read nutrition labels and properly estimate food quantities so that you can properly count the grams of carbs in each meal and snack.
2) that you and your doctor, or a diabetes educator, have figured out what the proper insulin to carb ratio is for you. It will vary from person to person and you cannot generalize about what might work. Sometimes, the ratio will vary according to time of day: in the morning, perhaps the ratio is 1 to 3, for lunch and dinner, however, it might be 1 to 6. This really has to be worked out over time, by keeping very careful records of what you eat (and how many carbs are in each meal), how much insulin you inject, and what the blood sugar measurements are before, and two hours after, every meal. The doctor could suggest a ratio for you to try, but it is only by careful carb estimates and faithful recording of sugar levels that you will find out if those ratios work or need adjustment.
The other factor involved is a correction factor. If you start a meal with you blood sugar at 100, then the proper insulin to carb ratio usually works out OK. However, sometimes the glucose level before a meal will be much higher (happens to almost everyone sometimes). In that case, you would add some additional units to the amount that you calculate form the ratio. It might be something like: 1 additional unit for each 30 points that the glucose is over 140 (using US units, don't know the mmol equivalent). So, if you measured 170, you would calculate the usual insulin dose from your standard insulin to carb ratio, then add 1 unit as a correction.
If you started the meal at 200, then you would add 2 units... and so on.
It takes some effort, but it is absolutely worth it to achieve good control and to manage the disease properly. With good management, you can live a good, long, healthy life.
Q: when switching from nph insulin to 1 a day lantus is there apecial way to do it and we re a little nervous abo
my husband has been on insulin shots for 13 years, humulin n and humulin r new dr. put him on lantus one shot at bedtime and Avandamet2mg/1000 2 x daily. little nervous about change over. he works contruction and burns alot of carbs all day . guess we just need some more direction than we were given
A: A combination of Lantus and Avandamet may give him more consistent blood sugars during the day.
I'd suggest that he do finger sticks fairly often during the first few days at work, to see where the sugar is running. Just in case, have him carry some glucose tablets. Then, let his doctor know the readings.
As you know, consistently "normal" blood sugars help prevent/minimize the consequences of diabetes.
Good luck.
Q: how many tablets total? Glyburine calculation?
You are to give glyburide 20mg po q.am. It is supplied in 10mg tabs. You are also to give Humulin-R insulin 8 units (according to the sliding scale) and Humulin 70/30 insulin 36 units sub cu. q.am. How many tabs in total will you give and how many units of insulin will you give?
A: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090218075032AA75yuf
Q: I am confused about insulin pens.?
I would like to switch to using an insulin pen, preferably one that uses the BD Ultra Fine III Short Pen Needles (or equivalent). I want a fast-acting insulin. What I am really confused about is the difference between Humulin N and Humulin R, mainly the difference in how quickly they work. I would prefer to stick with Lilly, as they make my other pen, Byetta, and would likely use the same type of pen needle.
I have discussed this with my doctor, she just wasn't sure which types of insulin are available in a pen. She agreed with me on using fast-acting, and it will only be used as a back-up to the Byetta. This is just a matter of finding the type of insulin we are looking for in a pen. So far, the Humalog sounds about right.
A: R is short for regular. It is equivalent to the insulin that comes from the pancreas. It starts working in 30-45 minutes, peaks at about 1-2 hours, and lasts for about 4-6 hours.
N is short for NPH. It is regular insulin suspended in a special solution to make it absorb more slowly. It peaks in about 4-5 hours, and lasts for about 8 hours. This is used for basal insulin, usually 2 times a day. It's absorption can be very irregular leading to wide swings in sugar.
Humalog, also made by Lily, is human insulin with 2 of the amino acids switched. It starts working in 15-20 minutes, peaks in about 1 hour, and lasts for about 3-5 hours.
Lantus is a long acting, "peakless" insulin that you could take once a day for basal insulin.
Q: Humalog mix 75/25?
I have been on Humulin R & NPH for many years. My doctor recently switched me to Lantus. I'm having to take 3 to 4 shots daily of Humulin R to bring my sugar down. I'm going to ask my doctor about the Humalog mix. How is the mix working for you?
Thank you both for your advice.I'm really not thrilled about the idea of going on the pump. I honestly don't know if it would be financially possible. I'm very interested in going on Humalog 75/25 or Humalog 50/50 if my doctor will agree. The Lantus is doing nothing at all for me without 3 to 4 shots of Humulin Regular each day. My BS level was 82 this morning. I had a peanut butter sandwich and it jumped to 339 within a few hours. This is with Lantus in my system and without taking any R this morning. I'd rather try the Humalog Mix and take, hopefully, two shots a day. I took 30 units of Lantus last night.
A: the premixed insulin regimens (like humalog mix) have the advantage of being used only twice daily. They contain a rapid acting insulin (like humalog, and a intermediate acting one, like NPH). the problem is that this regimen is less flexible. It can cause hypoglicemias because the 2 types of insulin add their maximum effect 3 hours after the administration. The dose adjustment is hard too,let's say you have hyperglicemia before dinner.the logic thing to do would be to increase the morning dose, but then a hypoglicemia can occur before noon.
From my experience in diabetes care (5 years only), I can tell that the premixed insulins don't work so good in type 1 diabetes, they should be used for limited time, but many people choose this option because there are only 2 injections, not 4 or 5.
Your doctor (or yourself) have to adjust the dose of Lantus, in order to decrease the need for rapid insulin during the day.
Another option would be replacing humulin R with Humalog. (not humalog mix) This insulin acts faster, you can inject it right before the meal or even right after. Or Apidra .