human insulin at a glance
Medicine class
Insulin and glucose-lowering hormone
Main use
Diabetes requiring insulin for glucose control
Administration
What is human insulin used for?
Selected products are licensed for diabetes mellitus where insulin is needed for glucose control.
Humulin S is soluble human insulin for shorter-acting glucose control.
Insulatard is isophane human insulin with a more gradual, prolonged effect.
How does human insulin work?
Human insulin binds to insulin receptors, helping muscle and fat cells take up glucose while reducing glucose release by the liver. Soluble insulin is absorbed relatively quickly; protamine in isophane insulin slows absorption and prolongs its effect.
human insulin preparations and strengths
Oral mixture
Route: Oral
Strengths: 100 units/mL
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 100 units/mL
How to take human insulin
Use the prescribed insulin and compatible pen exactly as demonstrated by the diabetes team. Check the label before every injection because insulins can look or act differently.
Inject into recommended sites beneath the skin and rotate locations to reduce lumps, amyloid deposits and unpredictable absorption.
Use a new needle for each injection. Never share a pen or cartridge.
Humulin S should be clear, colourless and free from visible particles; it does not require mixing.
Insulatard is a cloudy suspension and must be mixed gently until uniformly milky before use.
Do not inject into lumpy, thickened or otherwise abnormal areas.
Do not inject Insulatard intravenously or use it in an insulin pump.
human insulin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Hypoglycaemia, including sweating, shaking, hunger, palpitations, dizziness, confusion or blurred vision
- Pain, redness, itching, swelling or bruising at the injection site
- Thickened or sunken fatty tissue at repeatedly used injection sites
- Temporary vision changes or fluid retention
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypoglycaemia causing seizures, unconsciousness or abnormal responsiveness
- Generalised allergic reaction with widespread rash, swelling, wheezing, breathing difficulty or collapse
- Persistent hyperglycaemia progressing to diabetic ketoacidosis
human insulin in pregnancy
Human insulin can be used during pregnancy and does not cross the placenta. Good glucose control is important. People planning pregnancy or already pregnant should receive specialist diabetes antenatal support because insulin requirements and monitoring needs can change.
human insulin while breastfeeding
Human insulin can be used while breastfeeding. Insulin requirements may change after birth and during lactation, so glucose monitoring and diabetes-team review remain important. Seek specialist advice if the baby is premature or unwell.
human insulin interactions
Medicines and alcohol can alter glucose levels, change insulin requirements or conceal hypoglycaemia. Monitor glucose more closely when relevant treatments change.
Other glucose-lowering medicines, salicylates, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers
May strengthen glucose lowering and increase hypoglycaemia risk.
Glucocorticoids, thyroid hormones, thiazide diuretics, growth hormone, danazol or beta-2 agonists
May raise glucose and reduce insulin's apparent effect.
Common questions about human insulin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is human insulin the same as insulin made by the body?
It is produced using recombinant technology and has the same glucose-regulating role as naturally produced human insulin.
What is the difference between Humulin S and Insulatard?
Humulin S is a clear soluble preparation with a shorter action profile. Insulatard is a cloudy isophane suspension with more gradual, prolonged absorption.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.