What is Humulin® R U-100?
Humulin R is a polypeptide hormone that is structurally similar to human insulin produced in the body. It effectively helps manage blood sugar levels for both adults and children with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Insulin is a hormone produced by an organ in the body called the pancreas. Insulin is necessary for managing glucose (sugar) in the blood.
For those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, their body’s either does not produce enough or any insulin which requires the need for insulin injections.
Humulin R U-100 is injected under the skin (subcutaneously). Insulin should not be injected into a vein or muscle. Make sure you are using a syringe marked U-100.
This short-acting insulin starts working within 30 minutes, peaks in 2-3 hours and continues to work up to 8 hours.
Through the use of insulin, patients can effectively breakdown carbohydrates, fats and proteins. With proper carbohydrate metabolism, patients can avoid the production of ketone bodies in the liver and other complications associated with diabetes.
Humulin R (insulin human recombinant) U-100 is a clear, sterile and colorless solution which contains human insulin at 100 units/mL, endogenous zinc, metacresol and water. Hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may be added to adjust the pH levels during the manufacturing of this medication.
Humulin R Usage Instructions
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to insulin or are experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Tell your doctor if you have any pre-existing liver, kidney or heart conditions.
Notify your doctor if you are taking any medications such as rosiglitazone or pioglitazone. Taking certain medications can increase the risk of heart problems.
Tell your doctor if you are current breastfeeding or pregnant.
If you are pregnant, follow your doctors instructions carefully. It’s important to manage diabetes during pregnancy and high blood sugar can affect both mother and baby.
How is Humulin R insulin used?
Your doctor or nurse should instruct you on how to properly inject insulin which should not be into a vein or muscle. Use a different injection site every time to avoid damaging skin.
Do not inject into skin that is damaged, bruised, pitted, scaly, thickened, has scarring or lumps.
Only prepare your Humulin R injection when you are ready to administer. Do not use Humulin R insulin if it appears cloudy or has particles. If your medication seems compromised, contact your pharmacist for a new one.
You should eat a meal within 30 minutes of using Humulin R.
If your doctor prescribes a glucagon injection kit in case you of serious hypoglycemia, be sure to instruct family or friends on how to use it.
Storing Humulin R
Keep away from heat or light.
Do not freeze insulin or store near cooling element. Throw away if previously frozen.
Keep insulin refrigerated and use until expiration date or store at room temperature if in use.
Throw away expired insulin. Any needles or syringes should be placed in a puncture-proof “sharps” contains. Speak to your pharmacist about properly disposing needles and medication.
Keep medication away from children or pets.
Humulin R Side Effects
Symptoms associated with using insulin can differ depending on a patients health, treatment and condition.
Most people do not experience side effects with insulin treatment. If you do experience side effects that worsen and persist, contact your doctor immediately, especially if you see signs of low potassium levels in the blood, irregular heartbeats, cramps and weakness.
Injection site reactions may occur. This can include redness, irritation and pain at injection sites.
Insulin can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) which can show symptoms of cold sweats, shaking, hunger, blurred vision, increased heartbeat, dizziness or tingling feet/hands.
Carrying a diabetic candy, glucose tablets or a sugary drink (non-diet) in case of hypoglycemic side effects. To prevent hypoglycemia from occurring, be sure to eat meals regularly and do not skip meals. Consult your doctor for instruction in the event you miss a meal.
Hyperglycemia is another side effect which also may occur. Symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, flushing, rapid breathing, drowsiness, confusion and fruity breath. Speak with your doctor if you experience symptoms as your dosage may need to be adjusted.
Serious allergic reactions when taking insulin are rare. In the event, you experience symptoms such as itching/swelling, body rash, trouble breathing or dizziness; seek medical attention immediately.
All Humulin R insulin side effects listed above are not complete. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects.
Warnings & Precautions
Humulin R should not be used to treat children under 2 years old or children with type 2 diabetes of any age.
Do not use Humulin R if:
- Substance appears cloudy, slightly colored, contains particles or thickened
- If you medication was previously frozen
- If medication is expired
Syringes and pens should not be shared as they are meant to be single-patient only. Sharing pens and needles can lead to the spread of infection and disease.
Make sure you are following your doctors instructions for your specific needs. Read the patient leaflet, especially after refills, provided by the pharmacy to ensure you have an understanding of instructions and preparation. If you have questions regarding Humulin R, speak to your doctor, pharmacist or medical expert.
Before administering a dose of insulin, clear the area of injection with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol.
Rotate injection sites to avoid skin problems such as lumps, pits or thickened skin.
Insulin regular should be injected under the skin in the abdomen, upper thigh, upper arm or buttocks as instructed by your doctor or nurse.
Do not rub the injection site after injecting.
Do not inject into skin that appears red, itchy, swollen or damaged.
Do not inject into a muscle or vein as this can result in low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Humulin R should be stored at room temperature.
Insulin should be taken 30 minutes before meals. Since Humulin R is fast-acting you should not start eating directly after injection as this can result in hypoglycemia.
Do not use insulin regular with an insulin pump.
Speak with your doctor if your condition worsens or does not improve from the use of this diabetes medication.
Humulin R may be mixed with other medications such as a longer-acting insulin. Your doctor will provide direction as to which products can be mixed with your treatment.
Follow your treatment plan provided by your doctor and measure each dose carefully. By modifying the amount of insulin dose can drastically affect blood sugar levels.
Speak to your pharmacist on how to properly dispose of unused needles and pens safely.
Check blood sugar levels regularly using tools for blood sugar monitoring. Keep track of results and share with your doctor as they information is important in determining dosage requirements.
Blood sugar levels may be affected by factors such as surgery, exercise, stress, illness and alcohol. Skipping meals can also lead to low blood sugar levels Speak to your doctor about how to proceed if you miss a meal or dose.
Wear or carry identification that lets other know you have diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are two available strengths of Humulin R: Humulin R U-100 and Humulin R U-500. They contain 100 units of insulin per 1 mL and 500 units of insulin per 1 mL, respectively. There are currently two different vial sizes available for the Humulin R U-100 strength: a 3 mL vial and a 10 mL vial. Both vials contain 100 units per 1 mL, so the 3mL vial contains 300 units of insulin human recombinant, and the 10 mL vial contains 1,000 units of insulin human recombinant. The Humulin R U-500 is available in a 20 mL vial containing 10,000 units.
A vial of Humulin should be stored either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Each vial, once opened, is good for use for 31 days. After this time period, the vial of Humulin R should be disposed of, regardless of if any medication still remains within the vial.
Humulin R insulin should be kept at room temperature, not exceeding 86°F (30°C). However, it may also be refrigerated. Patients that choose to refrigerate their Humulin R, are recommended to remove the medication from the colder temperatures and allow the insulin to reach room temperature before injecting to avoid discomfort.
Although the efficacy of the Humulin R will not be impacted by whether the medicine is cold at the time of injection, this has been reported to be quite painful for patients that have injected their insulin cold. Those who refrigerate their Humulin R between uses are recommended to remove the vial from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature to reduce the discomfort that may be experienced by injecting cold medication into the body.
As a short-acting insulin, Humulin R typically begins to work within about 30 minutes after it’s been injected.
Patients that use Humulin R should be sure to eat within 30 minutes of injecting this medication. Using insulin without having a meal to balance the individual’s blood glucose levels results in a higher risk of that patient experiencing hypoglycemia, which can become very serious if left untreated.
Humulin R is a short-acting insulin due to its ability to begin working within about 30 minutes after being injected. Due to the nature of short-acting insulins, the effects of Humulin R will also only last the patient for about three to six hours.
Humulin R vials are available by prescription as well as over the counter. Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any additional questions about its availability.
Humulin R insulin should be injected into the fatty layer of tissue under the skin about 30 minutes before having a meal. The most common injection sites for Humulin R and many other types of insulin are the belly, the back sides of the upper arms, or the patient’s tops or outsides of their thighs. Patients should not use the same injection site two times in a row to avoid skin-related complications. Due to Humulin R being a short-acting insulin and working rapidly, patients injecting this medication should be sure to eat after using Humulin R to avoid the risk of hypoglycemia.
If a patient who is using Humulin R insulin has forgotten to inject the medication before a meal, they should inject that dose as soon as they remember to do so. However, if a significant amount of time has passed and their next dose is approaching soon, they should not inject a double dose of Humulin R to compensate for the skipped dose before.