porcine insulin at a glance
Class
Biphasic, intermediate-acting animal insulin
Licensed use
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, including where intermediate depot insulin is required
Administration
Usually injected under the skin; this formulation must not be injected into a vein
Appearance
A white suspension that requires gentle mixing before use
What is porcine insulin used for?
The selected porcine insulin product is licensed for:
Treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Use where an intermediate-duration depot insulin is required
How does porcine insulin work?
Porcine insulin acts like naturally produced insulin. It lowers blood glucose by helping tissues use and store glucose and by limiting ketone production. In the selected biphasic formulation, an isophane component prolongs the effect compared with neutral insulin alone.
How to take porcine insulin
Use exactly as demonstrated by the diabetes team. The selected vial is usually injected under the skin. Rotate injection spots within the recommended area and avoid lumpy or hardened skin.
Check the product label before every injection.
Gently roll or invert the vial several times to mix the white suspension; do not shake vigorously.
Do not use it if it has frozen or contains lumps that do not disperse after mixing.
Inject immediately after withdrawing it from the vial.
Restrict each opened vial to one patient.
porcine insulin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Hypoglycaemia, with symptoms such as sweating, shaking, hunger, palpitations, dizziness, blurred vision or confusion
- Redness, itching, swelling, stinging or burning at the injection site
- Lumps, thickening or pitting of skin at repeatedly used injection sites
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention or swelling
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypoglycaemia causing abnormal behaviour, seizures, loss of consciousness or coma
- Generalised hypersensitivity, including wheezing, breathing difficulty, widespread swelling or anaphylaxis
- Low blood potassium causing marked weakness, twitching or an abnormal heart rhythm
porcine insulin in pregnancy
Insulin can be used during pregnancy, and maintaining good glucose control is important for both parent and baby. Requirements can change throughout pregnancy and after birth, so review by an experienced diabetes pregnancy team and frequent monitoring are important.
porcine insulin while breastfeeding
Insulins can be used while breastfeeding. Insulin requirements may change after birth and during milk production, so glucose should be monitored and treatment reviewed. For full-term healthy infants, SPS advises precautionary monitoring for unusual sleepiness, pallor, sweating, shaking and adequate weight gain.
porcine insulin interactions
Many medicines and lifestyle factors can alter insulin effect or conceal hypoglycaemia. Important examples include:
Corticosteroids
May weaken glucose-lowering control and increase insulin requirements.
ACE inhibitors
May enhance insulin's glucose-lowering effect and increase hypoglycaemia risk.
Beta blockers
May alter insulin requirements and mask warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia.
Alcohol
Can increase hypoglycaemia risk, particularly with heavy or episodic drinking.
Common questions about porcine insulin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is porcine insulin made from pigs?
Yes. It is highly purified insulin derived from pigs and used to replace insulin that the body cannot produce adequately.
What type of insulin is porcine insulin 30/70 Mix?
It is a biphasic suspension containing neutral and isophane porcine insulin, giving an intermediate-duration effect.
Why is porcine insulin 30/70 Mix cloudy?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.