Uses
What is insulin regular used for?
Insulin regular is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Insulin regular may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does insulin regular work (mechanism of action)?
Insulin regular regulates how your body metabolizes blood sugar (glucose). Insulin regular helps get blood sugar into your cells so your body can use it for energy, stops your liver from making blood sugar, and enhances the creation of protein in your tissues.
How is insulin regular supplied (dosage forms)?
Insulin regular is available in the following dosage forms that are injected under the skin or into a blood vessel.
- Humulin R 100 units/mL vial
- Humulin R 500 units/mL KwikPen
- Humulin R 500 units/mL vial
- Novolin R 100 units/mL vial
- Novolin R 100 units/mL FlexPen
- ReliOn 100 units/mL vial
- ReliOn 100 units/mL FlexPen
Insulin regular is also available as Afrezza and Myxredlin, which is only injected into a blood vessel and will usually be given by a healthcare provider in a hospital.
How should I store insulin regular?
Store in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight and heat. Do not freeze. Before opening the vials or pens, insulin regular can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). If unopened and stored in the refrigerator, insulin regular can be used up to the expiration date. Talk to your pharmacist about how to store and how long you can use specific insulin regular vials or pens once they have been opened.
Store FlexPens or KwikPens without the needle attached.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of insulin regular?
The most common side effects of insulin regular are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Low blood sugar (also called hypoglycemia) (see below)
- Allergic reaction (including itching and rash) (see below)
- Allergic reaction at the injection site
- Skin thickening or pits at the injection site (also called lipodystrophy)
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention in the hands or feet (also called edema)
There may be other side effects of insulin regular that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of insulin regular?
While less common, the most serious side effects of insulin regular are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Insulin regular can cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using insulin regular and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
- Excessive sweating
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Insulin regular can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can be serious and may lead to death. You may need to check your blood sugar more often if you have changes to your diet, exercise regimen, or medicines for diabetes. Do not use insulin regular and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Headache
- Crankiness or anxiety
- Hunger
- Dizziness or confusion
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Sweating
- Feeling jittery or shakiness
- Fast heartbeat
- Seizures
Medication Error. If you are using multiple insulin products, accidentally mixing them up and using the wrong insulin or the wrong dose can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Always check the label on your insulin products before using them to make sure you are using the correct insulin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia (see Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) above) from either insulin regular or any other insulin product that you are using.
Low Potassium Level (Hypokalemia). Insulin regular can cause a low potassium level (hypokalemia), which can be serious and may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will check your potassium levels, especially if you take certain other medicines. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low potassium level.
- Weakness
- Unusual tiredness
- Muscle cramps or twitching
- Constipation
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Trouble breathing
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use insulin regular?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use insulin regular.
- Insulin regular
- Humulin R
- Myxredlin
- Novolin R
- ReliOn
- Any other medicine known as a short-acting insulin
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific insulin regular products they stock.
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Insulin regular should not be used if you are having an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Using insulin regular while your blood sugar is low can worsen your symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). See the Serious Side Effects section above for more details.
What should I know about insulin regular before using it?
Do not use insulin regular unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.
Do not share insulin regular with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them. Do not share needles or syringes with another person. Always use a new needle or syringe for each injection.
Since this medicine must be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.
Follow the instructions for use when using insulin regular for the first time or when you haven’t used it in more than 24 hours. Check the label on your insulin regular each time you use it to make sure you are using the correct insulin.
Insulin regular can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how insulin regular affects you.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using insulin regular?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if insulin regular is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Other Medicines and Supplements. Insulin regular may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using insulin regular, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Kidney or liver problems
- Heart problems (including heart failure)
Diet and Lifestyle Changes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any changes in your diet, level of physical activity, or illnesses. These may affect the amount of insulin regular you need.
Pregnancy. Insulin regular has not been shown to cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use insulin regular while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of harm to a mother and an unborn baby. Your healthcare provider will discuss the best way to control your blood sugar.
Breastfeeding. Insulin regular passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does insulin regular interact with foods or drinks?
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect insulin regular, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This may interfere with the effect of insulin regular. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Does insulin regular interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking a beta-blocker, which is a medicine usually used to reduce blood pressure and for certain other heart conditions, before taking insulin regular.
Many other medicines may alter your blood sugar levels or may increase or decrease the effect of insulin regular. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with insulin regular. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much insulin regular?
If you or someone else has used too much insulin regular, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of insulin regular?
It is important to use your insulin regular exactly as it is prescribed. Talk to your healthcare provider, ahead of time, on what you should do if you miss a dose of insulin. Do not use double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Insulin Regular?
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