Home Drug Guide Insulin Human

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Insulin Human

Brand Names Humulin R KwikPen, Humulin R, Myxredlin

Classification

Therapeutic: Antidiabetic, Blood Glucose Lowering Agent

Pharmacological: Insulin, Rapid-Acting

FDA Approved Indications

  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (for blood glucose control)

Mechanism of Action

Insulin Human binds to insulin receptors, facilitating cellular uptake of glucose, glycogen synthesis, and fat and protein synthesis, thereby decreasing blood glucose levels.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Dosed based on individual needs; typically administered subcutaneously before meals. Initial doses vary; titrate based on blood glucose response.

Pediatric: Same as adult dosing, tailored to child's needs; close monitoring required.

Geriatric: Start at lower end of dosing range; adjust based on response and tolerability.

Renal Impairment: Adjust doses as needed; monitor blood glucose closely.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor blood glucose.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid absorption from subcutaneous tissue.

Distribution: Widely distributed in body water.

Metabolism: Metabolized mainly in the liver and kidneys.

Excretion: Excreted in urine as metabolites.

Half Life: Approximately 1 hour (varies with formulation and individual).

Contraindications

  • Hypoglycemia
  • Hypersensitivity to insulin or excipients

Precautions

  • Patients with renal impairment, hepatic impairment, or visual impairment; risk of hypoglycemia; need for proper injection technique and rotation of sites.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Hypoglycemia (Common)
  • Injection site reactions (redness, allergy) (Uncommon)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Severe hypoglycemia (Rare)
  • Anaphylaxis (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other antidiabetic agents (increase hypoglycemia risk)
  • Beta-blockers (can mask hypoglycemia symptoms)
  • Corticosteroids (may increase glucose levels)

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c regularly; assess injection site for reactions.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for hypoglycemia
  • Impaired skin integrity at injection site

Implementation: Inject subcutaneously as prescribed, rotate injection sites, educate patient on hypoglycemia symptoms.

Evaluation: Maintain blood glucose within target range; monitor for adverse reactions.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • How to administer insulin properly.
  • Recognizing and managing hypoglycemia.
  • Importance of regular blood glucose monitoring.
  • Storage of insulin.
  • When to seek medical help.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Severe hypoglycemia can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Genetic Factors: N/A

Lab Test Interference: None specific.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypoglycemia: dizziness, sweating, confusion, seizures, coma.

Treatment: Administer oral or IV glucose; if patient is unable to swallow, intramuscular glucagon may be used; adjust insulin dose accordingly.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Unopened vials or pens should be refrigerated; opened vials/pens can be kept at room temperature for up to 28 days.

Stability: Stable until expiration date when stored properly.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.