Insulatard Flexpen - Injection Insulin (Human) N - 100IU/ml 1 3ml Pen(s) / 3ml Pen Novo Nordisk Indication: Diabetes mellitus Administration: Administer within 15 minutes before a meal or immediately after a meal. Administer subcutaneously in the upper arm, thigh or abdominal wall. A subcutaneous injection into the abdominal wall results in a faster absorption than from other injection sites. NPH Insulin suspensions are never to be administered intravenously. Adult Dose: Subcutaneous Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Suggested guidelines for beginning dose Usual daily maintenance range is 0.5-1 unit/kg/day SC in divided doses; nonobese may require 0.4-0.6 unit/kg/day; obese may require 0.8-1.2 units/kg/day Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Adult: Usual insulin requirement: 0.3-0.6 IU/kg/day; may be given in 1-2 divided doses. Dose should be individualised, to be adjusted according to patient's needs. Suggested guidelines for beginning dose: 0.2 unit/kg/day May be used alone or in combination with a fast-acting insulin. Change insulin doses in small increments: Type 1 diabetes (2 unit change); type 2 diabetes (2-4 unit change). Look for consistent pattern in... Child Dose: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus 12 years: Suggested dose is 0.5-1 unit/kg/day SC; use adult dosing; usual daily maintenance range in adolescents is <1.2 units/kg/day during growth spurts Renal Dose: Renal impairment: Dose adjustments may be needed. Contraindication: Hypoglycaemia. Hypersensitivity to any of the components. Mode of Action: Insulin lowers blood glucose levels. It regulates carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism by inhibiting hepatic glucose production and lipolysis, and enhancing peripheral glucose disposal. The various insulin formulations are classified according to their durations of action after SC Inj. They are divided into short-, intermediate-, or long-acting insulin. Soluble insulin (also known as 'neutral insulin' or 'regular insulin') is a short-acting preparation. To extend the duration of action of insulin, preparations are formulated as suspensions in 2 methods. The 1st method involves complexing insulin with a protein so that it is slowly released, e.g. protamine zinc insulin (contains an excess... Precaution: Pregnancy (insulin requirements tend to fall during the 1st trimester, increase during the 2nd and 3rd) and lactation. Caution with decreased insulin requirements: Diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, malabsorption, hypothyroidism, renal impairment, hepatic impairment Hypokalemia may occur Not for IV or IM administration Use with caution in renal and hepatic impairment (dosage requirements may be reduced) Caution with increased insulin requirements: Fever, hyperthyroidism, trauma, infection, surgery Lactation: Safe to use while breastfeeding Side Effect: Allergic reactions. Injection site reaction, lipodystrophy, pruritus, rash, lipoatrophy, hypokalaemia, blurred vision. Hypoglycaemia, insulin resistance Interaction: Possible absence of hypoglycaemic warning symptoms with beta-blockers. Decreased hypoglycaemic effect with corticosteroids, danazol, diazoxide, diuretics, glucagon, isoniazid, phenothiazine derivatives, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents, thyroid hormones, oestrogens, progestins (e.g. in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors and atypical antipsychotic (e.g. olanzapine and clozapine). Increased hypoglycaemic effect with oral antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, MAOIs, pentoxifylline, propoxyphene, salicylates and sulfonamide antibiotics. Decreased insulin resistance with octreotide and lanreotide. Increased risk of wt gain and peripheral oedema with pioglitazone, rosiglitazone. Decreased effect of sermorelin.