Insulin

Insulin

Insulin is a commonly known protein hormone produced by body in the liver to regulate the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin was formerly used in psychiatric treatment called insulin shock therapy although nowadays it is commonly used as a medication for high blood glucose treatments which includes both Diabetes mellitus type 1 and Diabetes mellitus type 2, gestational diabetes, as well as diabetes complications such as hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, hyperosmolar and diabetic ketoacidosis. Insulin can also be used in conjunction with glucose to treat high blood potassium levels.

A point to note is that insulin controls the levels of blood glucose and does not cure diabetes please do not quit the insulin dosage even if you feel well, and do not switch dosage type of insulin without your specialist concern or approval.

Insulin is commonly administered by injections under the skin, You should learn how to give an insulin injection, veins or muscles and sometimes using the insulin pumps.

Common insulin used is synthesized from the pancreas of the pigs or cows although human version can be obtained by the modification of the pig’s version or through the technology known as recombinant technology which is genetic recombination of genetics materials from multiple sources at molecular level.

Human version insulin comes into three type depending on how long does it take for insulin to work those types are:-

• Fast-acting Insulin (such as aspart/Novolog, lispro/Humalog and glulisine/Apidra)

•  Short-acting Insulin ( such as regular insulin or Novolin, Velosulin)

•  Intermediate-acting Insulin ( such as NPH insulin)

•  Longer-acting Insulin ( such as insulin glargine)

• Ultra-long acting Insulin ( such as degludec)

Fast acting Insulin

This is sometimes known as rapid-acting insulin which is absorbed quickly into the blood stream and takes effect in about 5 to 15 minutes and are active for about 3 to 4 hours and can either be administered through injection or an insulin pump. This fast acting insulins includes insulin analogues aspart, lispro and glulisine. It is usually taken after meals so as to lower the blood sugar from the meals. Rapid acting insulin is commonly prescribed to people with type 1 diabetes and sometimes it can be prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes as well.

Sometimes a rapid acting insulin can lead to increased chance of hypoglycemia hence care should be taken when administering the dosage.

Some common branding of fast acting/rapid acting insulin are:-

• Humalog

• Novolog

• Apidra

How should Insulin be stored?

Before using the insulin you should be aware of type of insulin you take and how they appear so as to avoid using spoiled insulin. So it is important to check the bottle or the vials when preparing to use insulin.

·       If you are using regular insulin like Humulin R or Novolin R, the insulin should appear colorless and clear fluid as water, do not use this insulin if it appears otherwise such as thickened, colored or cloudy or contain any precipitates/particles.

·       If you are using NPN insulin like Humulin N or Novolin N or a premixed insulin which contains NPH that’s (Humulin 70/30) and (Novolin 70/30). It should appear milky or cloudy like when or after mixed. Do not use this type of insulin if there’s white precipitates/particles sticking at the bottom or wall of the bottle.

Proper storage of insulin vials is crucial in order for them to work at their capacity. Here is how insulin should be stored:-

• Unused or unopened insulin should be stored a temperature between 2°C and 5°C (36°F and 46°F) and it should never be stored in the freezer.

• For insulin vials which are in use or already open, they can be store in a room temperature between (56°F and 80°F) for up to a month.

• Avoid direct exposure to sunlight or from excessive heat source such near stove, radiator etc.

• Insulin vials should never be shaken.

• Throw away any insulin vials after the expiration date regardless of whether it is opened or unopened.

In case of how long can insulin be out of fridge depends on type of insulin you are using for the case of insulin vials can stay up to 28 days while for insulin pens takes only two weeks once opened.