Actrapid Vial, Protaphane Vial (Insulin (Rys))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Actrapid Vial, Protaphane Vial Used For?
Actrapid and Protaphane vials contain insulin (rys), which is identical to natural human insulin. These medications are used to treat diabetes mellitus, a condition where your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to control your blood sugar levels.
Primary Uses
Used to treat both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients with Type 1 diabetes always require insulin. Some patients with Type 2 diabetes may also need insulin if diet, exercise, and tablets aren’t enough to control blood sugar levels. Actrapid vials are also used by doctors in emergency situations for people with diabetes.
How It Works
Actrapid is a fast-acting insulin that starts lowering blood sugar about 30 minutes after injection and lasts approximately 8 hours. Protaphane is an intermediate-acting insulin that starts working about 1.5 hours after injection and lasts approximately 24 hours. Both help control blood glucose levels by providing the insulin your body needs.
Good to know: Insulin is not addictive and is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
How to Take Actrapid Vial, Protaphane Vial
Carefully follow all instructions from your doctor, nurse educator, and pharmacist. Use U100 insulin syringes and inject under the skin as shown by your healthcare provider. Your doctor will tell you how much insulin you need and when to inject it.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor or diabetes education nurse will determine your exact dose and timing. Inject into the abdomen, thighs, upper arms, or buttocks. Change injection sites so the same spot isn’t used more than once a month. If using Actrapid, eat a meal or snack containing carbohydrates within 30 minutes of injection. For Protaphane, roll the vial between your hands until the liquid is white and uniformly cloudy before use.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Test your blood sugar level as soon as possible. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and inject your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, use it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. If using Actrapid, make sure to eat carbohydrates within 30 minutes of the injection.
Important: Never use a double dose of insulin. Too much or too little insulin can cause serious effects.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) – cold sweat, pale skin, fatigue, drowsiness, nervousness, tremor, rapid heartbeat, confusion, excessive hunger, vision changes, headache, nausea
- Injection site reactions – redness, swelling, itching, depression or thickening of skin
- Visual problems when first starting insulin
- Swelling of hands or feet when first starting insulin
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe hypoglycemia – disorientation, seizures, fits, convulsions, loss of consciousness
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – skin rashes over large body areas, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, fast pulse, sweating
- Severe hyperglycemia – heavy breathing, fast pulse, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, loss of consciousness
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before using these insulin products. Do not use if you’re experiencing low blood sugar when your dose is due.
Who Should Not Take Actrapid Vial, Protaphane Vial
Do not use if you’re allergic to insulin or any ingredients listed. Do not use if experiencing low blood sugar (hypo) when dose is due. Do not use if expiry date has passed or packaging is damaged. Do not use if the protective cap is loose or missing. Do not use in insulin infusion pumps. Do not inject Protaphane into a vein.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney, liver, adrenal gland, pituitary gland, or thyroid gland problems. Also inform them if you take other medicines, have an infection or fever, or are planning to travel. Tell your doctor about any history of heart disease or stroke.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Pregnancy can make diabetes management more difficult and may require insulin dose adjustments. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Heart Disease Warning: Tell your doctor immediately if you experience signs of heart failure such as unusual shortness of breath, rapid weight gain, or localized swelling. Some patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes and heart disease who take thiazolidinediones with insulin can develop heart failure.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with insulin and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, or supplements you’re taking.
- Other diabetes medicines
- Octreotide (for gastrointestinal tumours)
- Lanreotide (for hormone-related enlargement)
- MAOIs (antidepressants)
- Beta-blockers (heart/blood pressure medicines)
- Alpha-blockers (blood pressure/prostate medicines)
- ACE inhibitors (heart/blood pressure medicines)
- Aspirin and salicylates
- Anabolic steroids
- Quinine (malaria treatment)
- Quinidine (heart medicine)
- Sulphonamide antibiotics
- Oral contraceptives
- Thiazides, frusemide, ethacrynic acid (diuretics)
- Glucocorticoids (anti-inflammatory medicines)
- Thyroid hormones
- Sympathomimetics (asthma medicines)
- Growth hormone
- Diazoxide (blood pressure medicine)
- Asparaginase (cancer treatment)
- Nicotinic acid (cholesterol medicine)
- Oxymetholone (blood disorder treatment)
- Danazol (hormone treatment)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with alcohol consumption and driving while using insulin, as both can affect your blood sugar levels and safety.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the signs of low blood sugar (hypo). Carefully monitor your blood sugar levels when drinking, as alcohol may change your insulin needs.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how insulin affects you. If your blood sugar is low or high, your concentration and ability to react may be affected. Ask your doctor about driving if you have frequent hypos or find it hard to recognize hypos.
Storage
Store unopened Actrapid and Protaphane 10 mL vials in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C, away from the cooling element. Vials you’re using or carrying as spare should not be kept in the refrigerator. Protect from light by keeping in cartons when not in use. Do not freeze or expose to excessive heat or light. You can use vials up to 4 weeks after taking them out of the refrigerator if kept below 25°C. Discard after 4 weeks even if insulin remains.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve used too much insulin, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort. Too much insulin can cause severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) which can be life-threatening if untreated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Actrapid starts working about 30 minutes after injection and lasts approximately 8 hours. Protaphane starts working about 1.5 hours after injection and lasts approximately 24 hours.
If using Actrapid, it’s recommended to eat a meal or snack containing carbohydrates within 30 minutes of injection. Your doctor will provide specific guidance about timing with meals.
No, insulin is not addictive. It’s a hormone that your body naturally produces, and these medications replace what your body cannot make sufficiently.
Do not stop using insulin unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping insulin can cause your blood sugar levels to become dangerously high (hyperglycemia), which can lead to serious complications.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the signs of low blood sugar and can change your insulin needs. Carefully monitor your blood sugar levels when drinking.
Test your blood sugar level as soon as possible. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, use it as soon as you remember. Never use a double dose. If using Actrapid, eat carbohydrates within 30 minutes of injection.
Store unopened vials in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. Vials in use should not be refrigerated. You can use vials for up to 4 weeks after removing from the refrigerator if kept below 25°C. Protect from light and never freeze.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.