HUMULIN R ® - Insulin

HUMULIN R ® a drug based on human insulin.

THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Human insulin for fast-acting injectable use.

Indications HUMULIN R ® - Insulin

HUMULIN R ® is used as a drug treatment in diabetic patients requiring insulin and in patients with gestational diabetes

Mechanism of action HUMULIN R ® - Insulin

HUMULIN R ® is a drug based on human soluble insulin obtained through molecular biology techniques in cultures of E.Coli, which over time have supplanted insulin from animal extraction (porcine).
Insulin is a polypeptide hormone, produced in physiological conditions by pancreatic beta cells and deficient in quantity or efficacy in pathological conditions such as diabetes, and as such can be administered exclusively by parenteral route since oral intake would determine its degradation to work of proteases diffused in the gastro-enteric system.
Its role is of fundamental importance in maintaining the correct glucose homeostasis, since it acts, through specific receptors, on sensitive insulin tissues, improving the uptake and utilization of glucose and on the liver by significantly reducing the release of this sugar into the circulation.
Over time, the pharmaceutical industry has developed analogues of human insulin, with very low immunogenicity and complexed with molecules of a different nature capable of modulating the absorption and release of this hormone, making it functional to the needs of the clinic.
In this case, HUMULIN R ® consists of human soluble insulin which acts, following subcutaneous administration, in about 30 minutes with optimum at 120 minutes and continued activity for several hours.
In spite of the hypoglycemic effects, even prolonged over time, the dynamics of cellular interaction and activation by insulin is very rapid, which determines a prompt molecular action and a short half-life.

Studies carried out and clinical efficacy

1. EFFECTIVENESS OF COMBINED THERAPY

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2011 Feb; 91: 148-53.

Contribution of glimepiride to basal-prandial insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Yokoyama H, Sone H, Yamada D, Honjo J, Haneda M.

The association between oral hypoglycemic agents such as glimepiride and preprandial insulin in poorly compensated second type diabetic patients has proved to be particularly effective ensuring both good post-prandial glycemic control and reproducing an insulin secretion curve similar to the physiological one.

2. HYPERSENSITIVITY "TO" INSULIN

Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2011 Apr 23. doi: 10.1111 / j.

Effects of meals and insulin aspart Bedtime NPH on postprandial inflammation and endothelial cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Bladbjerg EM, JE Henriksen, S Akram, Gram-J.

Although hypersensitivity to a certain active principle is in most cases a useful indication for changing the therapy, there are some cases such as insulin, in which the administration of the hormone becomes necessary at any cost. To overcome this problem, several centers around the world are developing desensitization techniques to reduce the potential side effects of therapy and induced allergic reactions.

3. NEW SUPPORTS FOR DIABETIC THERAPY

Diabetes Technol Ther. 2011 Mar; 13: 373-9.

Performance of a new reusable insulin pen.

Penfornis A.

The placing on the market of medical devices for subcutaneous injections that are quick and easy to use, has greatly simplified the life of the diabetic patient forced to undergo insulin therapy. Several studies agree on the excellent effect that this type of device has guaranteed on the quality of life of the patient. patient and on the efficacy of the therapy.

Method of use and dosage

HUMULIN R ® 100 IU / ml insulin: solution for injection, 1 ampoule of 10 ml or 5 cartridges of 3 ml or pre-filled pen of 3 ml: the correct dosage for the use of HUMULIN R ® in the treatment of diabetic pathology should be formulated by the doctor based on the physical and physiological characteristics of the patient and his clinical condition.
In principle, the dosage should be between 0.5-1 IU / kg of body weight per day for type 1 diabetic patients, and lower in type II diabetes patients.
The doctor should also provide all the necessary information for the correct use of the medicine.

Warnings HUMULIN R ® - Insulin

The correct doctor-patient relationship represents the starting point for the success of insulin therapy.
It is in fact advisable for the doctor to inform the patient about the correct methods of preparing, administering and storing the medicinal product, about the possible side effects and about the signs useful for possibly recognizing hypoglycemic conditions in order to intervene promptly and avoid hypoglycemic crises.
Periodic monitoring of blood glucose levels should complement therapy and guide the physician towards the correct dosage formulation.
Dosage adjustments, drug type changes, or discontinuation of therapy should always be supervised by medical personnel.
In case of impaired renal function it may be necessary to reduce the dose of the drug used.
The possible onset of hypoglycemia could reduce the patient's perceptive abilities, making the use of machinery and driving cars dangerous.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

Insulin represents, at the expense of all the numerous oral hypoglycemic drugs, the only active ingredient that can be used in pregnancy for the treatment of gestational diabetes.
Numerous studies in fact agree on the absence of toxicity for the fetus and on the good safety profile for the mother's health, as long as the dosages used take into account the duration and period of pregnancy.

Interactions

The hypoglycemic effect of insulin could be potentiated by concomitant administration of oral hypoglycemic agents, octreotide, anti-MAO, beta blocking agents, ACE inhibitors, salicylates, alcohol and anabolic steroids to the extent that a significant dosage adjustment is required.
Beta blocking drugs may also mask the signs of hypoglycemia, making the condition of hypoglycemia particularly dangerous.
On the other hand, the simultaneous intake of oral contraceptives, thiazides, glucorticoids, thyroid hormones and sympathomimetics could reduce the therapeutic effect of HUMULIN R ®

Contraindications HUMULIN R ® - Insulin

HUMULIN R ® is contraindicated in case of hypoglycemia and hypersensitivity to human insulin or its excipients.

Undesirable Effects - Side Effects

Subcutaneous administration of insulin may result in transient redness, swelling and itching at the injection site. It is therefore important to rotate the administration points also to avoid the appearance of lipoatrophy at the inoculation site.
Too high doses of HUMULIN R ® could cause hypoglycemia marked by cold sweat, skin pallor, nervousness, tremors, anxiety, tiredness, weakness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, headache, nausea, palpitations, visual disturbances and in the most serious cases loss of consciousness and death.
Hypersensitivity reactions to the drug with disseminated skin rash, dyspnoea and hypotension have been observed rarely.

Note

HUMULIN R ® can only be sold under medical prescription.
HUMULIN R ® falls within the doping class: Hormones and related substances (prohibited in and out of competition).

The information on HUMULIN R ® - Insulin published on this page may be out of date or incomplete. For a correct use of this information, see the Disclaimer and useful information page.