Home
You can view the current or previous issues of Diabetes Health online, in their entirety, anytime you want.
Click Here To View
See if you qualify for our free healthcare professional magazines. Click here to start your application for Pre-Diabetes Health, Diabetes Health Pharmacist and Diabetes Health Professional.
Latest Insulin Articles
Popular Insulin Articles
Highly Recommended Insulin Articles
Concerns About Humulin
Q: All insulin vials are packaged with an insert that tells you not to use the insulin if the solids stay caked when you roll or shake the vial. For around 23 years, I used Iletin I and never encountered that problem. The solids always distributed themselves through the liquid the way they were supposed to. In two or three years of using Humulin, however, I've had to throw away at least four vials because the insulin cakes up and will not uncake itself no matter how much rolling, tipping or shaking I do. I can't imagine why the old "standard" insulin, which worked better in general, cost less than what we're using now, and tended to survive better on the shelf, is no longer produced in this country but is apparently still made in eastern Europe, where medicine is supposedly less advanced!
Wade Dowdell
Clements, California
A: As you point out, it is important to resuspend all insulins that come in the form of a suspension, such as Humulin 70/30, NPH, Lente, Ultralente and Humalog Mix 75/25. As the product information indicates, Humulin NPH should look uniformly cloudy or milky after mixing. Do not use it if the insulin substance (the white material) remains visibly separated from the liquid after mixing. Do not use the vial or pen if there are clumps in the insulin after mixing or if solid white particles stick to the walls of the vial or cartridge, giving it a frosted appearance. If you note anything unusual in the appearance of an insulin suspension, or if you notice your insulin requirements changing markedly, you should consult your doctor.
John H. Holcombe, MD
Medical Adviser
Eli Lilly and Company
Indianapolis, Indiana
You May Also Be Interested In...
Click Here To View Or Post Comments
0 comments -
Mar 1, 2002
-
Diabetes Health
Diabetes Health is the essential resource for people living with diabetes- both newly diagnosed and experienced as well as the professionals who care for them. We provide balanced expert news and information on living healthfully with diabetes. Each issue includes cutting-edge editorial coverage of new products, research, treatment options, and meaningful lifestyle issues.
-
Topics
- Diabetic / Diabetes Health
- Type 1 / 1.5 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Blood Glucose / Sugar
- High/Low Blood Sugar / Fast Acting Glucose
- Insulin- Pumps, Pens & Syringes
- Continuous Glucose Monitors, CGM, Infusion Sets
- Type 2 Medications
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypoglycemia
Email to a Friend
Send a link to this page to your friends and colleagues.