INSULIN

Insulin is the first line treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of insulin treatment is to control blood glucose levels.

Insulin is also used in diabetes type 2 when diet and/or oral therapy have failed to achieve control.

There are 3 main types of insulin preparations, classed by their duration of action.

• Short-acting insulins:

- Soluble insulin (eg. Hypurin Bovine Neutral, Humulin S, Actrapid, Insuman Rapid)
- Insulin aspart (NovoRapid)
- Insulin lispro (Humalog)

• Intermediate-acting insulins:

- Insulin demetir (Levimir)
- Insulin gargine (Lantus)
- Insulin zinc suspension (eg. Hypurin Bovine Lente, Monotard)
- Isophane insulin (eg. Insulatard, Humulin I, Insuman Basal)

• Long-acting insulins:

- Insulin zinc suspension, crystalline (Ultratard)
- Protamine zinc insulin (Hypurin Bovine Protamine Zinc)

A combination of short-acting and intermediate-acting insulins may be used to control blood glucose in diabetic patients -- duration of action varies considerably from one patient to another and needs to be assessed individually.