Humulin

Humulin is a brand of insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood, produced by Eli Lilly and Company. It is used to treat diabetes mellitus, a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.

Overview

Humulin is a type of human insulin that is used to control high blood sugar in people with diabetes. It is a fast-acting insulin that starts to work about 15 minutes after injection, peaks in about 1 hour, and keeps working for 2 to 4 hours. Humulin is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

Types of Humulin

There are several types of Humulin available, including:

• Humulin R - Regular insulin that is used to control blood sugar levels during meals and snacks and to correct high blood sugar levels.
• Humulin N - NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) insulin, an intermediate-acting insulin that is used to control blood sugar throughout the day.
• Humulin 70/30 - A mixture of 70% NPH insulin and 30% regular insulin that is used to control blood sugar throughout the day and during meals.

Side Effects

Like all medicines, Humulin can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Some common side effects of Humulin include:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Lipodystrophy (skin changes at the site of injection)
• Allergic reactions (rash, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat)

Precautions

Before using Humulin, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Thyroid disorders

See Also

• Insulin therapy
• Diabetes management
• Eli Lilly and Company

Humulin Resources
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