Humulin Vials Medication Guide

Humulin Vials (Biosynthetic Human Insulin (Rbe))

Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information

Prescription Required

Quick Facts

Generic Name
biosynthetic human insulin (rbe)
Drug Class
insulin
Used For
reducing high blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes
How Taken
subcutaneous injection as prescribed by doctor

What Is Humulin Vials Used For?

Humulin contains biosynthetic human insulin that is identical to the insulin your pancreas naturally produces. It helps control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

Primary Uses

Humulin is used to reduce high blood sugar (glucose) levels in patients with diabetes. It’s essential for people with Type 1 diabetes who always need insulin, and some people with Type 2 diabetes who may need insulin after initial treatment with diet, exercise, and tablets doesn’t provide adequate control.

How It Works

Diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to control blood sugar levels. Humulin provides the extra insulin your body needs. There are 3 types available: Humulin R (solution), Humulin NPH (suspension), and Humulin 30/70 (pre-mixed suspension), each working for different lengths of time in your body.

Good to know: Humulin is identical to the insulin naturally produced by your pancreas, making it a safe and effective treatment option.

How to Take Humulin Vials

Your doctor will determine your specific dose and timing. Humulin is injected under the skin using proper injection techniques that your healthcare provider will teach you.

Dosage Instructions

Your doctor will tell you exactly how much Humulin to use each day and when to use it. Always check your vial before use – Humulin R should be clear and colorless, while Humulin NPH and 30/70 should be white and cloudy. For NPH and 30/70, roll the vial between your palms 10 times and invert 10 times to mix uniformly. Inject under the skin, rotating injection sites so the same spot isn’t used more than once a month. Choose from upper arms, thighs, buttocks, or abdomen.

What If You Miss a Dose?

Test your blood sugar level as soon as possible. If you used less insulin than needed, high blood sugar may occur. Use your insulin as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If you’re unsure what to do, contact your doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacist.

Important: Never use a double dose of insulin. Never use Humulin NPH or Humulin 30/70 intravenously (directly into veins).

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:

  • Mild to moderate hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) with symptoms like weakness, trembling, sweating, light-headedness, headache, lack of concentration, behavior changes, dizziness, tearfulness, irritability, numbness around lips/fingers, hunger
  • Local allergic reactions at injection site

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Severe hypoglycemia with disorientation, seizures, fits, convulsions, or loss of consciousness
  • Severe hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) with heavy breathing, fast pulse, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, loss of consciousness
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis with drowsiness, flushed face, thirst, fruity breath odor, blurred vision, excessive urination

Important Warnings

There are important safety considerations before using Humulin, especially regarding allergies and certain medical conditions.

Who Should Not Take Humulin Vials

Do not use Humulin if you are allergic to biosynthetic human insulin or any ingredients in the medication. Never use when you have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as it will make it worse. Humulin NPH and Humulin 30/70 should never be used intravenously.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: previous allergic reactions to diabetes medications; kidney or liver disease; overactive thyroid or adrenal glands; heart disease (especially if taking thiazolidinediones like pioglitazone or rosiglitazone); acromegaly; or pheochromocytoma. These conditions may affect your Humulin dose. Also inform your doctor about all other medications you’re taking.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Pregnancy can make diabetes management more difficult – insulin needs usually decrease during the first three months and increase during the last six months. If breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, your doctor may need to adjust your Humulin dose.

Children Under 18: The use of Humulin has not been studied in children under 18 years of age.

Drug Interactions

Many medications can affect how Humulin works, requiring dose adjustments. Always inform your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking.

  • Anabolic steroids (may need lower Humulin dose)
  • Other diabetes medicines (may need lower Humulin dose)
  • Aspirin or salicylates (may need lower Humulin dose)
  • Sulfonamide antibiotics (may need lower Humulin dose)
  • Depression medications like MAO inhibitors (may need lower Humulin dose)
  • Blood pressure medications like captopril, enalapril, beta blockers (may need lower Humulin dose)
  • Octreotide for growth disorders (may need lower Humulin dose)
  • Oral contraceptives (may need higher Humulin dose)
  • Corticosteroids like prednisone, growth hormones (may need higher Humulin dose)
  • Glucagon, adrenaline (may need higher Humulin dose)
  • Thyroid replacement therapy (may need higher Humulin dose)
  • Tuberculosis antibiotics like isoniazid (may need higher Humulin dose)
  • Asthma medications like salbutamol, terbutaline (may need higher Humulin dose)
  • Antipsychotics, phenothiazines (may need higher Humulin dose)
  • Epilepsy medications like phenytoin (may need higher Humulin dose)
  • Diuretics (may need dose adjustment either way)

Alcohol & Driving

Both alcohol consumption and driving require special precautions when using Humulin due to the risk of low blood sugar affecting your abilities.

Alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and make it more difficult to recognize them. Alcohol may also affect the dose of Humulin that you need.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Humulin affects you. Do not drive if you feel like your blood sugar levels are low. Hypoglycemia may impair your ability to concentrate or react while driving.

Storage

Keep your vials refrigerated between 2°C – 8°C and do not freeze. After first use, you may keep the vial below 30°C for up to 28 days. Dispose of unrefrigerated vials after 28 days even if they still contain insulin. Don’t store in bathrooms or near heat/sunlight. Keep away from children. Discard after expiry date and dispose safely at any pharmacy.

Overdose Information

Using too much Humulin can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). For mild symptoms, eat glucose tablets, sugar, or drink something sugary, then eat fruit, biscuits, or a sandwich. If symptoms worsen with shallow breathing and pale skin, seek urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia 13 11 26 / New Zealand: 0800 764 766), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no obvious signs of poisoning.

Frequently Asked Questions

The time Humulin takes to work depends on the type: Humulin R is a solution that works more quickly, while Humulin NPH and Humulin 30/70 are suspensions that work for different lengths of time in your body. Your doctor will explain the specific timing for your prescribed type.

Only mix insulins if your doctor has instructed you to do so. Only Humulin R can be mixed with other insulins. Do not mix insulins in vials with insulins in cartridges. Follow your doctor’s specific instructions on mixing.

For mild to moderate hypoglycemia symptoms (weakness, shaking, sweating, dizziness), immediately eat some sugary food or drink like jelly beans, fruit juice, or glucose tablets. If you don’t feel better after eating/drinking something sugary, contact your doctor or go to the emergency department.

Use different injection sites (upper arms, thighs, buttocks, or abdomen) and rotate so that the same spot is not used more than once a month. This helps prevent skin changes like shrinking or thickening of fatty tissue.

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and make it more difficult to recognize them. Alcohol may also affect your required Humulin dose.

Do not stop using Humulin without first checking with your doctor. Stopping insulin suddenly can cause dangerous high blood sugar levels. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your insulin regimen.

Check your vial before each use. Humulin R should be clear and colorless. Humulin NPH and 30/70 should be white and cloudy after mixing. Don’t use if the solution is cloudy, thickened, colored, has solid pieces, appears frosted, or if you think it has been frozen or exposed to excessive heat.

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.