Regular insulin

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Regular insulin is a type of insulin that is used in the treatment of diabetes. It is a short-acting insulin that starts to work within half an hour after injection, peaks in 2 to 3 hours, and keeps working for up to 8 hours. Regular insulin is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

Indications[edit | edit source]

Regular insulin is used to control high blood sugar in people with diabetes. It is also used in some cases of Diabetic ketoacidosis where rapid onset is required.

Pharmacology[edit | edit source]

Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin. This means it can start to work within 30 minutes after injection. Its effects can last up to 8 hours. Regular insulin is derived from Porcine insulin or is made in a lab using recombinant DNA technology.

Side effects[edit | edit source]

Possible side effects of regular insulin include Hypoglycemia, weight gain, and allergic reactions. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet.

Interactions[edit | edit source]

Regular insulin can interact with certain medications, which can affect how it works or increase the risk of serious side effects. These medications include Beta blockers, Thiazide diuretics, and Corticosteroids.

See also[edit | edit source]

Regular insulin Resources
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